By Gareth James
Jack ‘The Tank’ Shore is targeting a trio of big wins in UFC in 2021 after seeing his fight dreams disrupted this year.
The undefeated Abertillery fighter has only had one contest due to circumstances beyond his control.
Shore’s eagerly-awaited debut in Las Vegas in November had to first be put off by a problem getting a visa for the United States and then when an opponent had to pull out.
But the 25-year-old – who moved up to UFC after winning all 13 MMA battles – is confident when he finally gets back into the ring next year of earning the ranking he craves in his division.
“After this year, come March time, I’ll be raring to go and I’ll be ready to fight every couple of months,” Shore told mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
“I really do want to have a big year next year, and if that means fighting whoever they put in front of me, that’s what I’ll do.
“By December next year I want to have had at least three fights and three big wins. If that doesn’t earn me a ranking, then I want to be in a spot where for the year after I can push toward the top 10.
“I’m a very respectful guy and I appreciate how good the division is, but I’m not here to make up the numbers. I’m here to cement myself as one of the best in the division. So in 12 months’ time, I’d like to think that a lot more people are talking about me.”
Shore beat Nohelin Hernandez on his UFC debut in 2019 then saw off Aaron Phillips when he returned to the ring in the United Arab Emirates in July this year.
But his hopes of fighting in Las Vegas on November 7 were dashed by the visa issues having made a trip to the USA embassy.
Shore was then hoping for a fight on November 21 but the opponent UFC were working on was injured leaving him without a fight until next year.
“I’ve been in camp a long time, so physically and mentally my body is going to need a rest,” he added.
“Obviously, I’d like to enjoy Christmas with my family and my girlfriend, so realistically I think it’s going to be the new year before I fight.
“My coaches have put a lot of time into me, so they’re going to need some time to relax, as well.
“It’s just one of those things, I’d love to jump the gun and get straight back in there January or February, but at the same time, I’ve got to be smart, as well.
I can’t just keep training now and push myself to burnout and get in there and not be 100 percent.
“So it is a tough spot that I’m in, but guys have had a lot longer layoff than I’ve had, so it’s just about staying patient, trusting in the process and seeing what opportunities come up.
“It’s a shame I’ve only been able to get one fight in this year, when I would have liked to have got three fights in and be pushing for a ranking spot.”