European MMA sensation Shem Rock loves understanding that his story has helped others, even when he’s bored with sharing it.
Earlier this 12 months, Final Combating Championship signed the 12-1-1 Liverpudlian to a contract following his profitable five-fight run beneath the OKTAGON MMA banner. So far, Rock, 31, has not but booked his Octagon debut, however his story is already incomes him lots of consideration from combat followers.
When he was 19 years outdated, Rock was arrested in reference to an aggravated housebreaking, a criminal offense which Rock insists he didn’t commit. After being questioned and bailed, Rock obtained a name stating his launch was a mistake and was directed to show himself again in to the authorities.
After having advised his consultant that he would hand himself within the following day, Rock opted to flee the nation, leaving Liverpool for France earlier than reaching Thailand and ultimately settling in Malaysia.
It was there that Rock stumbled onto BJJ and instantly fell in love with the game.
“If I’m trustworthy, I hate telling my story,” Rock stated in an interview with Bloody Elbow. “I simply wish to present up, combat, and be left alone. However individuals attain out to me saying I’ve modified their life — individuals I’ve by no means even met. I’ve had taxi drivers flip round and inform me I saved their life.
“So to not inform my story feels worse than sharing it. It’s such as you’ve bought to promote a little bit of your self, however listening to the way it helps others makes it price it.”
Shem Rock ultimately returned to Liverpool
At one level, Rock was in talks to signal with ONE Championship earlier than the Asia-based promotion discovered about his fugitive standing and ceased conversations. That prompted Rock to move again to Europe, the place he was in the end discovered not responsible of aggravated housebreaking.
Since then, Rock has linked up with UFC celebrity Paddy Pimblett and his Subsequent Era gymnasium in Liverpool. Rock made an look at UFC London in March, prompting hypothesis that he had signed with the promotion.
Rock is unbeaten in his final seven fights and boasts a 91% end price, with 9 wins coming by the use of submission and two knockouts.
