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 that 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 right 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 I looked back in hindsight and wondered 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!”
🚨 Staines and Rock in Birmingham 🚨
OKTAGON Challenge: England vs. Ireland winner, George Staines (1-0) 🏴 will compete in Birmingham on April 20.
After signing a new contract with OKTAGON MMA, Shem Rock (9-1-1) 🇮🇪 will also fight on the card. pic.twitter.com/RhrKrLEB4I
— OKTAGON MMA (@OktagonOfficial) January 27, 2024
Co-founder of OKTAGON MMA, Ondrej Novotny, added: “We believe that with Shem, it will be a lot of fun, and that’s why we signed him. The whole Czech Republic hates him, and now they hate us, but that's what we love: to be hated and loved at the same time.
“We will take him to the Czech Republic to fight, but first, he will make his return in Birmingham at OKTAGON 56.”
Fans can pre-register for OKTAGON 56 by visiting https://oktagonmma.com/en/events/oktagon-56/?eventDetail=true
