The UFC has parted ways with Shem Rock following back-to-back losses in his brief Octagon tenure. The 32-year-old Liverpool fighter made his UFC debut in Qatar last November, dropping a decision to undefeated Nurullo Aliev, and subsequently lost on the scorecards to Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady at UFC London last month. Rock had previously competed for Oktagon MMA in Europe, compiling a 4-0 record with one draw before joining the UFC. His release marks the end of a short-lived UFC career for the fighter who had established himself as a finisher earlier in his professional journey.
The UFC has released Shem Rock after the Liverpool fighter failed to win either of his two Octagon appearances, parting ways with the 32-year-old following a pair of decision losses that bookended a brief and unsuccessful stint at the sport's highest level.
Rock, who stands five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach and competes as a southpaw, carries a professional record of 12-3-1. He arrived in the UFC on the back of a strong run in European competition, going 4-0 with one draw in Oktagon MMA before earning his shot at the big stage. His UFC debut came in Qatar last November, where he dropped a decision to Nurullo Aliev. He then returned at UFC London last month, only to fall on the scorecards again, this time to Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady. Rock landed 3.03 significant strikes per minute during his UFC run, but a 39 percent striking accuracy proved insufficient against top-level opposition.
Aliev, the 25-year-old Tajikistani known as the Tajik Eagle, handed Rock his first defeat and remains unbeaten at 11-0. The orthodox wrestler averages 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes and has shown clean striking at 44 percent accuracy across his career.
Al-Selwady, the Pride of Palestine, is a 31-year-old Dallas-based fighter now sitting at 16-4. Fighting out of Fortis MMA, he brings consistent striking pressure at 4.61 significant strikes per minute and adds a takedown threat at 1.47 per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Rock's release closes out a 0-2 UFC tenure that never allowed his earlier finishing ability to surface at this level
- Both opponents who defeated him remain active and on upward trajectories in the division
- The back-to-back decision losses suggested a persistent gap between Rock's output and what the UFC environment demands
