Oktagon MMA Fighter Shem Rock Given New Opponent After Car Crash Cancellation

Oktagon MMA lightweight, Shem Rock, has announced his next bout with European fight promotion Oktagon MMA, as his original opponent pulled out due to an injury in a car crash.

Rock was originally scheduled to fight 23-7 fighter, Lom-Ali Eskiev at Oktagon 71 on May 17th, but the German was rendered unable to train after a traffic accident.

Rock will now face a lesser-known opponent in Abdullo Khodzhaev on May 17th, as the fighter from Tajikistan will make his promotional debut.

Despite the setback in preparation the Scouser is undeterred as he told Fight Night Network: “Whoever Oktagon give me to fight, I’ll fight. This is the ‘Shem Show’.”

Rock is currently riding a three-fight win streak, with each of the wins coming inside the opening round by rear naked choke, and while he acknowledges that his opponent is largely untested, the Liverpudlian expects more of the same as he said: “It’s a bit hard to judge him as an opponent because he’s never really fought anyone at my level.

“I rate his skillset, he’s obviously a striker more than a grappler, but this is a whole new kettle of fish, the ‘Shem Show’. We all know how it ends let’s be honest, it’s another first round, or early second round finish. I take his back and I put him to sleep.”

Rock has been out of the cage since last June, but aims to be more active this year as he said: “Ideally I want five fights by the end of the year, win them all and be a millionaire.”

The 31-year-old, is another fighter to train out of Liverpool’s Next Generation gym, alongside UFC’s Paddy Pimblett and the recently retired Molly McCann.

With an 11-1-1 record, another win in May could put Rock in the mix of an Oktagon MMA lightweight title shot, against the current champion Losene "Black Panther" Keita.

Before signing to fight at Oktagon 71, rumours were floating about a potential switch the UFC for the Liverpudlian, but Rock is now focused on his next fight as he said: “All I can tell you is that [conversations] were had, things were said. But now I’ve signed a bout agreement, the focus is Munich and the focus is who is in front of me.”