UFC London MMA Match Preview: Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady (15-4-0) vs. Shem Rock (12-2-1)

Venue: The O2 Arena, London, England
Prelims Start Time: 1:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM GMT (main card at 4:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM GMT)
Broadcast: Prelims on Paramount+ (US); main card regionally adjusted.
Weight Class: Lightweight (155 lbs) – Preliminary card bout (early prelims slot).

This lightweight prelim features rising Irish/UK prospect Shem Rock against veteran “Pride of Palestine” Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady. The card headlines Movsar Evloev vs. Lerone Murphy and is loaded with European talent, but this matchup pits two 0-1 UFC fighters desperate for their first Octagon win in front of a pro-Rock London crowd.

Tale of the Tape

Shem Rock (Ireland/UK): 32 years old, 5’11”, 73” reach. Style: BJJ foundation (Next Generation MMA) with 9 submission wins (mostly RNCs). Record: 12-2-1 (0-1 UFC).
Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady (Palestine, fighting out of Dallas, TX): 30–31 years old, 5’8”, 69” reach. Style: High-pace pressure fighter with stinging power striking and wrestling (Fortis MMA). Record: 15-4-0 (0-1 UFC).

Rock has a clear 3-inch height and 4-inch reach advantage; Al-Selwady brings compact power and volume. Both made weight cleanly. Finishing rates favor Rock’s grappling (73% subs in wins) vs. Al-Selwady’s KO/TKO emphasis (8 of 15 wins).

Injury Report

No confirmed injuries for either fighter. Both cleared medicals. Al-Selwady is returning from a nearly two-year layoff since his March 2024 UFC debut loss (possible rust concerns noted in media previews). Rock mentioned a shorter six-week camp in recent interviews but reported no setbacks or injuries. All updates from UFC, Tapology, fighter media, and reports as of March 18, 2026 confirm both are cleared and preparing normally.

Fighter Matchups & Styles

Rock is the taller, rangier BJJ specialist who excels at entries, clinch work, and chaining submissions (6 RNCs career). He mixes basic striking to set up takedowns and thrives in scrambles. Al-Selwady is the shorter, explosive pressure machine who pushes relentless pace with stinging punches/kicks, lateral movement, and opportunistic wrestling. He buries opponents under volume and has never been submitted. The key clash is Rock’s length/grappling vs. Al-Selwady’s speed/power and cardio. Rock wins by dragging the fight into grappling exchanges and using the fence; Al-Selwady prevails by overwhelming early with strikes and avoiding the mat.

Recent Form

Shem Rock (2-1 in last 3; 0-1 UFC):

Nov 22, 2025 – UD loss Nurullo Aliev (UFC debut, 3 rounds).
May 17, 2025 – SD win Attila Korkmaz (Oktagon 71).
Jun 8, 2024 – SUB (RNC) Jaroslav Pokorny (Oktagon 58, R1).
Rock looked competitive in his UFC debut despite the loss and dominates regionally with grappling.

Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady (long layoff; 0-1 UFC):

Mar 2, 2024 – KO/TKO loss Loik Radzhabov (UFC debut, R3 0:49).
Aug 15, 2023 – UD win George Hardwick (DWCS, contract win).
Feb 2023 – UD win (title fight, regional).
Al-Selwady was competitive until a late highlight-reel KO in his only Octagon appearance; the two-year absence is the biggest unknown.

Fight History Summary

Rock turned pro with Oktagon success (multiple early subs) and earned a UFC deal after a strong run. 2 KO/TKO, 9 SUB, 1 DEC in wins. UFC debut showed promise before a decision loss. Al-Selwady has 15 pro wins since 2012 (regional titles + DWCS). Never lost by submission; 8 KO/TKO, 2 SUB, 5 DEC. UFC debut ended in a late TKO after a solid performance. This is a must-win for both 0-1 Octagon veterans.

FIGHT ODDS

Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady – 130

Shem Rock + 110

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, March 20, 2026