Jack Shore and Jo Anderson Brito at UFC 301 ceremonial weigh-in Credit: Dylan Bowker/Cageside Press
Rounding out the preliminary card for UFC 301 is Welsh bantamweight-turned-featherweight Jack Shore, who will look for his second straight win against Joan Delson Brito at 145 pounds. Jo Anderson came into the match in good form, winning four straight, all within the distance.
As the match began, Brito unleashed a brutal calf kick that immediately cornered his opponent against the cage. Shore took advantage of his lateral movement and unleashed several punch combinations trying to avoid his leg kicks. However, it was only successful for a moment as Shore lost his footing as he tried to kick him again, and soon the two were in a clinch against the cage.
Midway through the round, Jo Anderson pushed Shore against the cage, then missed, swung a few hooks, and landed again with that venomous leg kick. Shore initiated a clinch to slow down his opponent before forcing him closer to the cage. Brito was able to reverse his position, but Shore attempted a takedown but was unsuccessful. With 30 minutes left in the round, Shore was looking for a bodylock takedown as both fighters continued to grapple for control in the clinch until the end of the opening round.
Brito started the second round exactly like the previous round, moving very aggressively, including a thud calf kick. Jo Anderson hit a right in the clinch and used a bodylock to temporarily take down his opponent before Shore quickly got back to his feet. A few seconds later, the two engaged in space. Brito hits a flurry of low calf kicks that clearly eat up his legs, and Shore tries to keep his hands moving, but the two collide again and bite into the cage.
Shore’s lead leg was bleeding profusely when he grappled with two minutes left in the round and defended another takedown against the cage. With 1 minute 25 seconds left in the second, Shore’s shin was pressed against the cage right in front of the commentary booth. Shore’s shin was torn open and blood was gushing onto the wire mesh. The referee intervened and decided to have Cage’s doctor look at the wound. After the ringside doctor examines the cut, he will choose to stop the match.
Later in the broadcast, UFC officials revealed that doctors had made the decision to cancel the bout due to concerns about a possible broken leg.
Official Results: Joan Delson Brito def. Jack Shore TKO (Doctor Stop), Round 2, 1:25
