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JACK SHORE is “gutted” to be missing out on UFC London – but he's refusing to let his heartbreak distract him from his clash with Ricky Simon.

The Welshman returns to the octagon on Saturday night for a bantamweight barnburner will fellow prospect Simon at UFC Long Island – just a week before the promotion's return to London.

Shore, 27, blew the roof off the O2 Arena in the UFC's last visit to London in March – which was an iconic night for UK MMA –  and can't help but feel he’ll be missing out on another special night.

Tank told SunSport: “I’m gutted a bit [to not be fighting at UFC London]. I was gutted, initially. It would’ve been nice to fight in London again after last time, which was so good. 

“But at the same time, it’s also nice to fight for the American crowd and build my profile here. 

“I know I’ve got a lot of fans over here, so it’ll be nice to put on a show for them as well.”

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A win over the highly-rated Simon will strengthen calls to see the No14-ranked Shore lock horns with the bantamweight division’s elite. 

Shore has no problem doing that later this year, so long as it's on his timeline.

He said: “It’d be great to get another fight in this year, maybe October or November time. 

“I’m gonna take a little bit of time to go on holiday with the Mrs, but it’d be great to fight again this year.

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“But I’m in a spot where I’ve got to start, not picking my fights, but picking smartly and making sure that the timing and the location and the opponent make sense.”

He added: “A fight with someone in the top ten next would be great. And I think a win over Ricky puts me in a spot where I can call for that.

“If I beat him, I don’t see how I don’t get a chance to prove myself in the top ten.

“Every fight gets tougher at this stage, so it would be nice to push on and fight those guys next.”

Match-ups against fellow prospects Sean O'Malley and Adrian Yanez are also fights Shore is open to having if he gets past the formidable Simon.

He said: “I’m open to fights with anyone. Prospect, legend, contender – whatever you want to call them.

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“I’m down to fight everyone in the division because ultimately, we’re all going to fight each other.

“We’re in a sport where the best has to fight the best and I’m here to do that.”

Shore made a beeline for Simon immediately after his thrilling win over Timur Valiev in March and is excited to test himself against the former LFA champion.

He said: “I’m very, very excited for this fight. It’s a fight that we both wanted, both asked for, and I think it’s an exciting fight for the fans. 

“I don’t see how this fight is not going to live up to the hype.

“A win, it’ll definitely prove the level that I’m at when I beat him.”

Shore and dad Richard – an early pioneer of the UK MMA scene – have left no stone unturned in preparation for the clash with Simon, which they expect to be wrestling heavy.

The Brit said of Simon: “He’s a very good wrestler. Obviously he can strike as well. But particularly as a wrestler, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him try put me on my back and grind me down. 

“But in an ideal world, I’ll obviously stop the takedown and hit him with a takedown of my own. Or even a reversal.

“But if he does get me down, I’ve got plenty of tricks and tools that I can use down there.”

“Who knows, I may even catch him with a submission.

“Fingers crossed we get the finish, but a win. I’ll be happy with a win, however it comes.”

Watch Jack Shore take on Ricky Simón at UFCFIGHT NIGHT^®: ORTEGA vs. RODRIGUEZ on Saturday July 16, live on BT Sport 2.

Prelims start at PRIME TIME 4PM BST on UFC Fight Pass, with Main Card coverage on BT SPORT 2 starting at 7PM BST.

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