Shore looking to 'reinforce toughness' in Edmonton

Jack Shore hails from Abertillery

Jack Shore says he's looking to "reinforce how tough he is" when he faces off against Youssef Zalal at UFC Fight Night 246 in Edmonton, Canada.

The Welshman is aiming for a statement comeback performance following a controversial loss by doctor's stoppage at UFC 301 in Brazil in May.

Shore sustained a deep cut to his leg after a string of furious kicks from Joanderson Brito with the doctor calling an end to the fight believing Shore had broken his leg.

The 29-year-old says the experience has taught him to "not leave too much to do towards the end of the fight".

"I know I am [tough] in the gym and I've been told by my opponents I am," said Shore.

"But I could have fought another 60 minutes in that last one if I'd had to."

"To go in there against a guy like Brito who is 100 mph, dangerous every minute of the fight and to still be in there mixing it, I’m confident I can go in there with anyone on the planet to be honest."

In Shore's way on Saturday night is Zalal, who boasts a seven-fight win streak.

Eight of Zalal's 15 professional wins have come by submission, but the Welshman believes it's a good matchup despite being the bookie's underdog.

"Youssef’s style is very good but his strengths and weaknesses match up with mine," he explained.

"I’ve got to be wary of the takedown but obviously I favour myself with wrestling and grappling with anyone to be honest."

Shore says he wants to keep his opponent on the back-foot.

"He moves really well, so it’s a case of sticking him on his heels but not giving him enough room or respect that he can just do that to me as well," added Shore.

"It’s a case of, I know where he’s dangerous but I’ll look to go out there do or die and fight my fight and what will be will be."

Five months on from his previous defeat, Shore says he's back to 100%.

"Other than a bit of scar tissue, the leg healed up pretty fast, the cut healed fast.

"I’ve been to see specialists and other than a bit of sort of a soft lump from the scar tissue and a lump where the blood supply isn’t great, there's no pain, no re-openings of the cut so fingers crossed we don’t have the same issue this time."

Jack Shore is the first Welshman to feature in a UFC game.

Outside of the cage, Shore's character model has added to the UFC's official game.

An avid gamer himself, Shore has enjoyed seeing himself in digital form.

"I’ve been a gamer my whole life since I was about five years of age," he added.

"To be in the game and to be able to show my son in years to come is a cool one and to be able to tell him 'look, your dad used to be famous back in the day'."

Shore has enjoyed the playful banter about his stats following the bout with Brito.

"I see a lot of people ripping me online saying my leg checking should be one star," Shore joked.

"But if you watch the fight, the reason I got cut was because I was checking all the leg kicks."

The children Shore coaches in the gym in Abertillery have been quick to have a go at using their mentor in game.

"People are telling me how overpowered I am on there, a lot of the kids are saying 'I’m playing with you online and knocking everybody out'," he said.

"They’ll probably nerf me now in the next update, so stop playing as me!"

As he prepares to enter the Edmonton octagon, Shore remains focused on the task at hand.

"I just want to get back to winning ways and get back to putting on good performances," he concluded.

"I wasn’t happy with my last performance; it felt like I’d left a lot in the tank and I don’t want that to happen again this time.

"I'm not putting pressure on myself but I’m going in there with the intention of showing what I really can do."