‘The Model’ last fought for the UFC in 2014.
Last week it was revealed that two Brazilian fighters had tested positive for COVID-19 and had thus been removed from the upcoming UFC ‘Fight Island’ card scheduled to take place at Yas Island, UAE on July 15th.
With light heavyweight Vinicius Moreira and bantamweight Anderson dos Santos (who participated in street protests demanding gyms re-open in Sao Paulo, Brazil) off the card the UFC was left with two men needing new opponents: promotional newcomer Modestas Bukauskas and Jack Shore.
Both those men have new dance partners now, though. Bukauskas will face Greek journeyman Andreas Michailidis, last seen at Global Legion FC 13. Shore will be facing a man who was wearing his own sponsors the last time he fought in a UFC Octagon: Aaron Phillips.
The 30-year-old American has a record of 13-3 and is coming off a TKO win over Ariston Franca in Valor FC last November. That was Phillips’ sixth win a row.
‘The Model’ fought twice in the UFC in 2014. His debut was against an undefeated Sam Sicilia at UFC 173. He dropped that bout by unanimous decision. Next up he lost a unanimous decision to Matt Hobar.
Phillips’ Fight Island opponent, Jack Shore, is 12-0 after making a successful UFC debut against Nohelin Hernandez last year. The Welshman is a former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion.
