Liverpool fighter, Shem Rock, is giving back to the community ahead of Oktagon MMA 42
After being wanted for a burglary he didn't commit, the athlete fled to Malaysia and completely turned his life around
Last updated 28th Apr 2023
Throughout history, there have been many sportsmen that have gone on dramatic journeys to redemption, but perhaps none quite as inspiring as, MMA fighter, Shem Rock.
Born in a rough area of Toxteth, the natural-born scrapper found himself hanging around in bad crowds. And with an overwhelming urge to mirror those around him, he found himself heading down the wrong path
Throughout this period, Rock had many run-ins with the law, but in 2014, it all came to a head, when he was wanted on suspicion of a violent burglary he hadn't committed.
Scared of the potential of going to prison as an innocent man, a worried Rock made the call to leave the country.
He jumped on a train to France, before heading on the run to Malaysia, where his life changed forever.
Wandering around the country without a purpose, the youngster spotted a Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym and decided to give it a try.
It didn't take long for him to discover that the world of crime wasn't for him — instead, he realised he could dedicate himself to a noble art and inspire others to do the same thing.
Speaking exclusively to Radio City, he said: "I can't say I felt like I was in a movie, I was just living my life.
"Liverpool was the best place in the world. I'm proud to be a Scouser, I love Liverpool. But when they say travel broadens the mind, they're absolutely right. Getting to leave the country for the first time as a young adult, it made me grow up.
"I met new people and experienced a new kind of life.
"People looked at me differently. When I was in Liverpool everyone looked at me like I was a scumbag, in my trackies. They wouldn't make eye contact or they'd cross the road if they saw me.
"In Malaysia, I was just this English guy; people wanted to know me and be my mate. They think, Harry Potter and cups of tea, it was different. I was thinking, 'Why does everyone want to me by mate'? I hadn't had that experience before."
In just a matter of months, Rock had started to develop his skills at a rapid rate, winning tournaments with ease. However, it all came crumbling down when the Malaysian community discovered what he was accused of.
Devastated with the revelation, Rock could have given up. But in a testament to his incredible powers of self-belief, he wasn't about to let his dream slip away.
He made the decision to move closer to home, where he continued to hone his craft.
Rock remembered: "I thought, 'Where's most like Liverpool where I won't get nicked'? So I went to Dublin. Two days later, Lockdown happened. I didn't know anyone; I got kicked out of my accommodation because of Covid.
"I trained at SBG for a while. That was cool. It made me realise my level when I was on par with people who'd fought in the UFC and Bellator. But the same thing happened again; they found out I was wanted. I got kicked out of there. It was like I was going around in circles.
"Everything I've been through. I believe it happens for a reason. Whenever a door closed in my face, I wanted to show these people what I'm made of."
Despite the accusation continuing to rear its ugly head, Rock stuck on the right path and found himself a new home at Dublin Combat Academy.
He beamed: "I told them about the situation, that I was innocent, that I'd been a criminal in the past but I wasn't anymore. They were cool about it. Everyone was from a council estate, so they understood. The coaches were like 'as long as you're not a criminal now it's fine because all these kids look up to you'.
Having amassed a 5-0 record, Rock headed over to Belfast, Northern Ireland, to defend the Clan Wars belt against Nate Kelly.
It was on this evening that the Scouser suffered his first defeat, and to make matters worse, he was arrested the next day, ending his long-running evasion of the law.
Rock served six months on remand in Walton before new evidence came to light, proving he had absolutely zero involvement in the crime — after almost a decade, the truth was finally out.
Now with the world as his oyster, the 29-year-old has signed for Oktagon MMA, making his debut tomorrow night in Bratislava, Slovakia. But rather than focus all his attention on himself, he's working with a charity called 'CELLS' to prevent young people from making the same mistakes.
He revealed: "One of my mates, with a similar background to me, was selling drugs and went to jail. He introduced me to CELLS; he was going around schools doing talks about the repercussions, who pays for your crimes, whether it be your Mum or your Dad and what it's like being in jail. Being in a gang ain't no fun.
"He was like, 'lad, you've got a powerful story. You can use that to help other kids'. I didn't want to do it at first. I didn't know whether I could speak in front of them or whether they'd want to listen to me. But when I started getting involved, going to youth centres, I began to see myself in the kids.
"They show up in balaclavas and shout mad remarks, and I thought, I wish I had someone like me when I was their age, because all my role models were standing on the corner. Whereas they look at us as inspiration for fighting in big organisations. I'm glad they know it's achievable.
"I want the government to get involved, we can start teaching kids martial arts and have our own centres."
The road to a better life was a long one for Rock, but now he's finally free, he has the opportunity to prove to the world that he has the talent to make it all the way to the top.
And should he secure a win at Oktagon MMA 42, he'll be right on the cusp of a shot at the championship belt.
In November, the promotion will head to the UK for the very first time, with a bill headlined by comedian, Paul Smith and reality TV star, Jake Quickenden.
Unsurprisingly, Rock is determined to feature on the card, and has his eyes set on a very exciting opponent.
"I think my style is Losene Keita's kryptonite. I've watched him have tough grappling matches against people who don't grapple like me. You can't let me take your back because I'll choke you out. He's dangerous on the feet, but he's small; I'll take him down and finish him. He'll do his best to avoid me. But at some point, it will be defend or vacate."
You can watch Rock's fight live on DAZN.