Rock On UFC Release After Fighting Injured At London

Shaqueme Rock believed the UFC would reward him for stepping up injured, but the promotion showed him the door instead.

The Englishman was released following back-to-back defeats inside the octagon, the second coming against Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady this past March in London. Rock told Home of Fight he had been nursing an injury when the promotion called but accepted the bout anyway, banking on future goodwill that never materialized.

Rock Surprised By UFC Release After London Injury Fight

"I was thinking I was at least gonna get one more," Rock said, per Sherdog. He called the situation a failed quid pro quo, saying he went beyond what was required by fighting hurt when he could have sat out.

The 33-year-old acknowledged the harsh realities of the fight business, noting that promotions care only about recent results. His UFC tenure ended at 0-2, leaving his overall record at 11-3-1.

Rock has landed with the Professional Fighters League and faces Connor Hughes in his debut Nov. 14 in Dubai. The card streams on the ESPN app beginning at 1 p.m. ET, with a heavyweight championship bout topping the bill at Coca-Cola Arena.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Shem Rock expected more from UFC after fighting injured