EXCLUSIVE: Shem Rock reacts to Jaroslav Pokorny pulling out
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Shem Rock didn’t get to headline OKTAGON 48 the way he planned. What was billed as “The People’s Main Event” turned into a gutting disappointment when Jaroslav Pokorny withdrew on fight night—and Rock wasn’t shy about sharing how he felt.
This marked the second time Pokorny has pulled out of a fight with Rock, the first happening mid-camp, and now again, just hours before they were scheduled to meet inside the cage. The reason? An apparent injury from a backstage scuffle, where Shem admittedly landed a liver kick.
“I did kick him… so I’ve got to take the blame,” Rock admitted. “But I know he could’ve fought tonight — I know he really wanted to find a way out.”
The Liverpudlian made it clear that in his eyes, Pokorny took advantage of the situation to avoid a beating and still collect his show money. Despite acknowledging that he kicked Pokorny, Rock remains adamant that the injury wasn’t fight-ending. “I’ve kicked a million livers in my lifetime. I know I kicked him on the liver — 100% I did. But I didn’t follow through. I was dehydrated by six kilos… I wasn’t in beast mode.”
To Rebook or Not to Rebook?
As for the possibility of rebooking the fight, Rock is hesitant. “They might want to do that fight again, and the hype’s massive now… But lad, what happens if I go through another camp and he doesn’t show again? It’s a big risk.”
The emotional toll wasn’t just about competition — it was also financial. Rock made it known how the cancellation affects his ability to provide.
Regarding his return, Rock said his team had planned time off due to five brutal weight cuts in one year. But like a true fighter, he left the door open. “My coach told me, my strength and conditioning coach told me, my nutritionist mates told me: take a few months off. But lad, when you’ve got to fight to get paid, it puts you between a rock and a hard place.”
He teased a possible return in December… Especially if training partner Paddy Pimblett, who’s fighting Tony Ferguson, needs help in camp.
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