Shem Rock Says He Fought Hurt for UFC, Got Cut Anyway

Shem Rock says he expected the UFC to keep him on the roster after he fought through injury at UFC London, but the promotion released him following that loss anyway.

Rock dropped a decision to Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady this past March at UFC London, falling to 0-2 inside the Octagon. The Englishman says he took that fight hurt as a show of good faith, believing it would buy him at least one more shot before the UFC made any roster decisions.

Why Rock Thought UFC London Would Buy Him More Time

Shem Rock says he agreed to fight Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady while injured because he viewed it as a favor to the promotion that would be returned in kind. "I was surprised, I was thinking I was at least gonna get one more," Rock told Home of Fight. "Especially the last one, I didn't really want to do UFC London, I was injured. I felt like I went above and beyond. I felt like I should've just stayed on the bench, I thought it was a, 'You scratch my back, I scratch yours,' kind of deal."

Instead, the UFC cut him loose after the loss, leaving Rock winless in his two appearances with the promotion. He isn't pretending otherwise about how that business works now. "I don't cry over spilled milk," he said. "I get it, it's a cutthroat industry. It's more about what you've done for me recently, it is what it is. I'm making no excuses, I'm moving forward."

What's Next for Shem Rock at PFL Dubai

Shem Rock has already landed his next fight, making his Professional Fighters League debut against Connor Hughes at PFL Dubai on Nov. 14 at Coca-Cola Arena. The 33-year-old carries an 11-3-1 record into the bout, and it marks his first appearance under the PFL banner after his UFC run ended in back-to-back defeats.

For a fighter who just got released on the back of a tough stretch, a fresh promotion and a clean slate matter. PFL has built its roster in part out of recently cut UFC talent looking to rebuild value, and Rock fits that mold. A win over Hughes in Dubai would go a long way toward re-establishing him as a legitimate threat outside the UFC ecosystem, especially with his frustration over how his Octagon run ended clearly still fresh.

Betting Angle

Rock enters as something of an unknown quantity in PFL circles, and bettors should treat his UFC skid with caution rather than writing him off entirely. He went 0-2 in the Octagon, but by his own account he fought the Al-Selwady bout compromised, which complicates reading too much into that result as a form indicator. Debut fights for released UFC fighters often draw mixed markets since oddsmakers have to weigh name recognition against recent losing skids, and Rock's situation is a clean example of that tension. Anyone backing him in Dubai is betting on a healthy, motivated version of the fighter rather than the one who left the UFC on a two-fight slide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Shem Rock released by the UFC?

Shem Rock was released by the UFC after losing to Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady at UFC London in March, which dropped his promotional record to 0-2.

What is Shem Rock's next fight?

Shem Rock makes his Professional Fighters League debut against Connor Hughes at PFL Dubai on Nov. 14 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

What is Shem Rock's professional MMA record?

Shem Rock carries a professional record of 11-3-1 heading into his PFL debut against Connor Hughes.