Jack Shore Retires from MMA: A Heartfelt Goodbye from a Welsh Fighting Legend

Jack Shore kicks Makwan Amirkhani at The O2 Arena on March 18, 2023 in London (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Jack Shore, the Welsh MMA fighter known as "Tank," has announced his retirement from professional fighting in a heartfelt social media post. The 29-year-old fighter, who competed in the UFC's featherweight division, has decided to hang up his gloves after a career that saw him achieve amateur titles, and world titles, and fulfill his childhood dream of fighting in the world's biggest MMA organization.

Shore's decision comes as a surprise to many fans, as he had recently fought out his UFC contract and was presented with the opportunity to re-sign. However, the fighter explained that he felt it was time to move on from the sport that had been his sole focus throughout his twenties.

"Although I had the chance to re-sign with UFC, I've decided my time's done," Shore stated in his retirement announcement.

He expressed gratitude to the UFC for allowing him to live out his childhood dream, saying, "I want to thank the UFC for letting me live out my childhood dream of fighting for the world's biggest organization and against some of the best in the world. I've enjoyed every minute!"

Shore's career was marked by dedication and an unwavering commitment to his craft. He emphasized this point in his statement, saying, "I can truly say for every single fight I gave the training and the fights my all, never said no, never asked questions, just kept my head down, stayed true to myself and achieved more than I ever thought possible."

Shore did not take the decision to retire lightly. He explained that recent months had shown him that fighting and training were no longer his sole focus in life. "I always promised myself when I was mentally checked out, I would retire from the sport rather than the sport retire me," he said. Shore also cited accumulating injuries from a lifetime in the sport as a factor in his decision.

Shore leaves the sport with his mental health intact, financially stable, and ready to embark on the next chapter of his life. He expressed gratitude to numerous individuals who played crucial roles in his career, including his fiancé Kaydie, his son Fraser, his mother, sister, and his entire team at SMMA.

Special mention was made of his coaches, particularly Carl Parker and his father. Shore described Parker as "the man who calms when you need calming and rises the intensity when you need it, never afraid to tell you what you don't want to hear."

Of his father, Shore said, "There is no better man out there to have as my role model/mentor/coach. There's no Tank without Shakes."

Shore's career in the UFC saw him compete at both bantamweight and featherweight. He made his promotional debut in 2019 and quickly made a name for himself with impressive performances. His last fight in the organization was against Youssef Zalal at UFC Fight Night 246 in November 2024, where he suffered a submission loss.

Despite stepping away from professional competition, Shore emphasized that he will always remain connected to the sport. "I'm a martial artist for life and will never not be involved in the sport I love," he stated. However, he acknowledged that his passion for competition had waned, leading to his decision to retire.

Shore leaves behind a legacy as one of the most prominent figures in Welsh MMA. He expressed hope that his name would be synonymous with the sport in his home country, saying, "Hopefully when people think of Welsh MMA, they'll always think of Tank Shore."

As he closes this chapter of his life, Shore reflects on his journey with pride and satisfaction. "For once, I can finally say I'm proud of what I've achieved and always did my best," he concluded, marking the end of a remarkable career in professional MMA.