Liverpool mixed martial artist Shem Rock has been officially cut from the Ultimate Fighting Championship roster after suffering his second consecutive defeat within the promotion. The lightweight fighter, whose real name is Shaqueme Rock, faced this career setback following a decision loss to Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady during a recent event in London.
Controversial Exit After London Defeat
The 29-year-old athlete's departure from the UFC comes after a particularly contentious bout last month. Following his unanimous decision loss to Palestinian opponent Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady, Rock attempted to throw a punch at his victorious adversary after Al-Selwady reportedly refused to engage in the traditional post-fight handshake. This unsportsmanlike incident occurred immediately after the final bell sounded, adding controversy to an already disappointing performance.
Rock's UFC Career in Review
Shem Rock's tenure with the premier MMA organization proved brief and challenging. His promotional debut occurred last year against Nurullo Aliev, where he suffered a decision loss through effective outpointing by his opponent. This initial setback was followed by the more recent defeat to Al-Selwady, creating an unfortunate 0-2 record that ultimately prompted UFC officials to release him from his contract.
Known for training alongside popular Liverpool fighter Paddy Pimblett at Next Generation MMA, Rock responded to his release with characteristic humor on social media platforms. The fighter quipped about needing to change his social media username, which previously included "UFC" in the handle, demonstrating a resilient attitude toward this professional setback.
Pimblett's Comeback Plans Revealed
Meanwhile, Rock's more famous training partner Paddy Pimblett has outlined specific plans for his own return to competition. The charismatic fighter suffered his first UFC defeat in January when Justin Gaethje outpointed him over three rounds, but Pimblett appears determined to rebound quickly from this disappointment.
During an appearance on The Wayne Rooney Show, Pimblett confirmed his intention to fight again this summer, specifically targeting July 11 for his octagon return. "I'm just starting my camp now," Pimblett explained. "I'm going to be fighting in 12 weeks or something, but I'm just beginning my dietary preparations. The date is set for July 11, and although the World Cup will be underway, I'll complete my preparations 11 or 12 days beforehand."
Mature Perspective on Defeat
Pimblett also revealed a notably mature perspective regarding his recent loss to Gaethje, contrasting sharply with his emotional reactions to earlier career defeats. "I've experienced losses before during my younger years—a couple when I was 18 and again around 22 or 23," Pimblett reflected. "After those previous fights, I was genuinely devastated, often sitting there crying afterward. Interestingly, I didn't even cry following the Gaethje fight. I simply reviewed the footage the next day and analyzed what I could have done differently."
The Liverpool fighter elaborated on his philosophical approach: "I've matured significantly as a competitor. I recognize that I could have won that particular fight if certain circumstances had unfolded differently, but sometimes it's simply your opponent's night. I frequently describe such outcomes as destiny—Gaethje was meant to win that evening. I remain absolutely convinced that winning the championship belt is part of my destiny too. That just wasn't my moment, so I must continue training diligently, working relentlessly, and eventually my opportunity will arrive."
This development highlights the contrasting fortunes within the same training camp, with one fighter facing release while another prepares for a significant comeback attempt during the summer months.
