JACK Shore maintained his unbeaten record and upward trajectory in the rankings when he overcame UFC veteran Vaughan Lee by unanimous decision at Cage Warriors 92, writes Jason Batty.

Stepping into the Octagon for the first time at bantamweight, rising MMA star Shore once again gave his travelling army of fans something to smile about on their way home from London’s O2.

On the back of his brutal KO of Italian Mattia Galbiati, the Abertillery combatant looked to take the fight to Lee from the start.

The opening round saw both fighters land significant strikes, but it was Shore who finished the session on top.

Rounds two and three played out like the first, Shore connecting with an array of combinations and outwrestling his opponent.

Lee had gone into the contest with 30 professional fights to his name, including eight in the UFC, but the gulf in experience was immaterial, with Shore coming of age in his toughest test to date.

As the fight progressed, any haymakers from Lee were evaded by Shore, who demonstrated his superior footwork.

Shore had his opponent where he wanted him at the end of the third, landing short, sharp punches and elbows right up the bell.

"He's been in there with some of the best in the world, he fought TJ Dillashaw (current UFC bantamweight champion),” said Shore of Lee.

“He was everything we expected in that he pushed me all the way and didn't give me anything for free.”

It was the first time Shore had been taken the distance and not finished an opponent within three rounds.

"We knew he was a UFC Vet, and crafty,” he added. “I knew putting him away wasn't going to be an easy task.

“Even though I did take over in the third, I knew I had him where I wanted him, but he wouldn't let me get that advance on him as expected.”

Despite it going to the judges’ scorecards there was a clear winner and Shore was rewarded for his dominance and mature display.

"It was a tough win and nice to get three rounds in,” he continued. “It’s weird to explain but I felt in the moment for this one.

“I was aware of everything I was doing, I was thinking about everything I was doing, I was picking my shots."

The Cage Warriors world bantamweight belt is currently held by London’s Nathaniel ‘The Prospect’ Wood.

Having won in style on the same card, Wood is now expected to vacate the title to join the ranks of the UFC.

After preserving his unbeaten record with a win over Lee, Shore is likely to be rewarded with a shot at the vacant belt later in the year.