Jack Shore was given an emotional send-off by the UFC after being forced to retire from MMA earlier this week.
The former featherweight contender announced on Wednesday that an accumulation of injuries was going to make him hang up his gloves following a lengthy career in MMA. The former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion joined the UFC in 2019, and spent five years in the sport’s top promotion.
He arrived on the scene undefeated, but struggled to find his best form after a bonus-winning debut in Copenhagen. And he ended up suffering three stoppage losses, including a bizarre doctor stoppage at UFC 301 that was followed up by a submission to Youssef Zalal in November.
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Jack Shore announced UFC retirement in shock statement this week
Following his first ever run of two consecutive losses, Welsh star Jack Shore made the surprise announcement Wednesday that he would be hanging up his gloves. His contract with the UFC was up, and despite his losses, they were willing to offer him a new deal.
But he opted to instead call it a day on his career, writing: “Hello guys, been quiet for a while enjoying time with my friends and family. As what may come as a surprise to a few I’ve decided to hang up the gloves on my professional fighting career.
“After fighting out my contract and taking some time to think about what’s next it’s clear to me that my time with professional fighting is done. Although I had the chance to re-sign with UFC I’ve decided my times done.
“I want to thank the UFC for letting me live out my childhood dream of fighting for the world’s biggest organization and against some of the best in the world, I’ve enjoyed every minute! From what started as a kid with a dream led me to amateur titles, world titles, and living out my dream of fighting in the UFC.
“I can truly say for every single fight I gave the training and the fights my all, never said no, never asked questions just kept my head down, stayed true to myself, and achieved more than I ever thought possible.
“For the entirety of my 20s fighting and training was my life and sole focus, however, the last few weeks/months have showed this is no longer the case. And I always promised myself when I was mentality checked out I would retire from the sport rather than the sport retire me.
“Injuries have caught up with me after a lifetime in the sport. I’m leaving with my mental in check, good health, financially stable, and am fully ready to move onto the future.”
Fans surprised as UFC pay tribute to Jack Shore in emotional video package
Viewers were left scratching their heads on Saturday night when the promotion, who often don’t make much note of athlete retirements or the ends of contracts, aired a video paying tribute to Shore on the broadcast of UFC Tampa.
Between fights, they put on a tribute video which seemed to irk fans who felt that a similar package was necessary for the legendary former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. He retired after UFC 309 in an almost under the radar moment after losing to Jon Jones in his first fight in four years.
And fans seemed surprised to see Shore, a seemingly regular member of the roster, receive such a tribute, with one writing: “A happy retirement for Jack Shore but not Stipe is DIRTY the ufc is insanely disrespectful.”
Others seemed generally surprised by what they were seeing, with multiple fans asking “Why in the world is my TV showing a Jack Shore tribute video?” Another added: “Are they really doing a retirement video for Jack Shore rn?”
It wasn’t all unpopular though, with some sharing the sentiment that it should be more common to see such tributes to retired fighters. “Your mileage may vary, but I really appreciate the UFC showing respect to retiring fighters like that Jack Shore piece they just ran,” a viewer wrote. “That’s a classy move.”
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