The UFC has officially released featherweight Shem Rock following back-to-back losses in his brief Octagon tenure. The 32-year-old Liverpool fighter made his UFC debut in Qatar in November 2025, dropping a decision to undefeated Nurullo Aliev, and subsequently lost a scorecards decision to Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady at UFC London last month. Rock had previously competed for Oktagon MMA, where he compiled a 4-1 record with one draw. His UFC departure marks the end of a promising career trajectory that had included six consecutive finishes early in his professional run.
The UFC has parted ways with featherweight Shem Rock, the promotion confirmed, releasing the Liverpool fighter after he failed to register a win across two Octagon appearances.
Rock, 32, made his UFC debut in November 2025 at an event in Qatar, where he dropped a decision to undefeated prospect Nurullo Aliev. He was given a second opportunity at UFC London last month but again fell short on the scorecards, this time against Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady. Back-to-back losses proved enough for the promotion to move on from the southpaw featherweight.
Standing five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach, Rock carries a professional record of 12-3-1. He arrived in the UFC off the back of a strong regional run that included a 4-1 mark with one draw under the Oktagon MMA banner, and his early career had featured six consecutive finishes that helped build his reputation as a finisher. In the Octagon, however, he averaged 3.03 significant strikes landed per minute at a 39 percent accuracy rate, and managed just one takedown per 15 minutes, with no submission attempts registered across his two fights.
Why it matters
- Rock's release opens his path to other promotions, where his 12-3-1 record and finishing pedigree still carry weight at featherweight.
- His two UFC bouts provided valuable data points on the gap between elite regional competition and Octagon-level featherweights.
- The featherweight division remains one of the UFC's deepest, making it difficult for fighters who cannot string wins together early in their tenure to retain roster spots.
