OKTAGON MMA has announced the re-signing of controversial fighter, Shem Rock. The Liverpool based MMA star has provided fireworks since the first moment he joined OKTAGON MMA, both inside and outside of the cage.
With a record of 9-1-1, Rock, who fights out of Liverpool’s famous Next Generation gym, is one of the hottest prospects in the UK, with his last performance for OKTAGON MMA resulting in an impressive first round submission victory. Rock also featured on the reality TV show, OKTAGON Challenge: England vs Ireland, as co-coach for Team Ireland, alongside MMA legend, Paddy Holohan.
Rock was scheduled to fight on OKTAGON MMA’s inaugural UK show, at Manchester’s AO Arena in November 2023, but following a heated interaction at the weigh-ins which saw him kick his opponent, former police officer, Jaroslav Pokorny, the fight was cancelled.
Following some public back-and-forth between Shem Rock and the promotion, it has been announced that a new deal has been agreed, with Rock returning to action at OKTAGON 56, in Birmingham.
Rock commented: "I had offers all across the board, from all different promotions but I didn't want to leave. I could have signed for someone straight away and already had a fight, but I didn't want to. I twiddled my thumbs a little bit and waited, but we got the deal done and here I am.
"There were times when I did want to jump the gun because I was so keen to fight, but I knew in the long-term I would be unhappy somewhere else and then looking back in hindsight and wondering what could have been.
"I knew it was the right choice to make and here I am.
“I want to thank Pavol and Ondrej, as well as my management team for getting this deal done. Everyone at featherweight and lightweight needs to watch out, because I’m back. It’s just the Shem show, all over again!”
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