Paddy Pimblett’s teammate Shem Rock brutally cut from UFC roster after consecutive losses
Shem Rock is no longer a UFC fighter after going 0-2 in the promotion.
A teammate of Paddy Pimblett at Next Generation MMA in Liverpool, Rock signed with the UFC last June following success at European promotion Oktagon.
The 32-year-old made his debut for Dana White‘s promotion five months later in Qatar, where another one of Pimblett’s teammates, Luke Riley, got his first UFC win.
In his first appearance, Rock tasted a unanimous decision defeat to Nurullo Aliev.
All three judges scored the contest 30-27 in favour of ‘The Tajik Eagle.’
Rock was then handed his second chance to right the wrongs at UFC London last month.
However, Rock, now 12-3-1 in his professional MMA career, had another lacklustre performance.
After three rounds on the preliminary card at London’s O2 Arena, he suffered his second points loss to Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady.
To make matters worse, Rock threw a cheap shot in the direction of Al-Selwady after the final bell.
Security personnel were quick to separate the two lightweight fighters in a move that would’ve no doubt decreased Rock’s chances of getting a third go in the UFC.
Rock reacts to UFC release
“Looks like I got to change my username handles,” Rock, who uses the UFC letters on his X profile, posted on social media Tuesday.
Rock was removed from the UFC roster alongside veteran Pedro Munhoz, who boasts a 20-10 pro record.
Munhoz made his UFC debut in 2014 and picked up notable wins over Rob Font and Cody Garbrandt, while also facing Jose Aldo and Sean O’Malley.
However, ‘The Young Punisher’ was riding a three-fight losing streak upon his release, having won just twice in his last 10 bouts.
Rock, meanwhile, has one of the most unique pathways to MMA’s summit, having spent 10 years on the run in his youth.
At the age of 19, he was arrested in connection with an aggravated burglary, which he denies.
Rock then fled to Malaysia to meet up with his older brother before finding his love for MMA.
He drew on his Oktagon debut in April 2023 and won his next four fights before joining the UFC.
It is unknown what Rock’s next move will be, but he may favour a move back to Oktagon or try his hand at Cage Warriors, where the likes of Conor McGregor and Pimblett rose to stardom.
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