Nine-Time UFC Veteran Jack Shore Retires from MMA at 29

Jack Shore is calling it a career before he turns 30.

The nine-time UFC competitor and former Cage Warriors champion announced his retirement via social media on Wednesday.

“As what may come as a surprise to a few I’ve decided to hang up the gloves on my professional fighting career,” Shore wrote on Instagram. “After fighting out my contract and taking some time to think about what’s next it’s clear to me that my time with professional fighting is done. Although I had the chance to re-sign with UFC, I’ve decided my time’s done. I want to thank the UFC for letting me live out my childhood dream of fighting for the worlds biggest organization and against some of the best in the world, I’ve enjoyed every minute!

“From what started as a kid with a dream, led me to amateur titles, world titles and living out my dream of fighting in the UFC. 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.

“For the entirety of my 20s, fighting and training was my life and sole focus; however, the last few weeks/months have showed this is no longer the case. And I always promised myself when I was mentality checked out I would retire from the sport rather than the sport retire me. Injures have caught up with me after a lifetime in the sport. I’m leaving with my mental in check, good health, financially stable and am fully ready to move onto the future.”

Shore began his professional career with 16 consecutive wins, capturing Cage Warriors bantamweight gold before signing with the UFC. “Tank” won his first five Octagon appearances before dropping three of his last four bouts. The 29-year-old Shore was last in action at UFC Edmonton, where he suffered a second-round submission loss to Youssef Zalal on Nov. 2.

“I’m a martial artist for life and will never not be involved in the sport I love, but the love for the game just isn’t there like it was and for that reason I know it’s time to step away,” Shore wrote.