Jack Shore is well aware that he has 'a tough task' ahead of him against Ricky Simon - but he believes that will bring the best out of him when they meet at UFC on ABC 3 on July 16.

Unbeaten Shore (16-0) will climb into the cage with Simon (19-3) on a packed bill at the UBS Arena in New York this weekend with the latter returning to the Octagon for the first time since December 2021.

The 'Tank' has practically torn through everyone in his path including the likes of Nohelin Hernandez, Aaron Phillips and more recently highly-touted Dagestani wrestler Timur Valiev during his decorated 16-fight career.

A victory for Shore will no doubt push him further up the rankings, and he is ready to take full advantage of this latest opportunity to showcase his skills on the big stage.

However the Welshman is under no illusions about the task facing him when they battle it out to keep their title ambitions alive tomorrow night.

"Definitely like on paper I can see why people are saying that he's my biggest test," Shore exclusively told GiveMeSport.com.

"You look at his ranking, his record, the guys that he's beat and the guys that he's been in there with, they're all very high level.

Jack Shore is widely regarded as one of the best prospects in the stacked bantamweight division

"But you know, I think stylistically I match up very well with him, and I'm very confident.

"I know it's a tough task, but like I keep saying the tougher the fight, the better I perform."

The former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion currently sits just inside the top 15 after comfortably beating Sholinian before cruising to a landslide unanimous decision victory over pre-fight favourite Valiev.

Shore, though, insists he is in no real rush as he is taking things one step at a time.

"It sort of depends how the end of this year plays out if we get another one in," he added.

"It would be nice to get another one in against a guy who is ranked above me. But we're in a game where one punch can change everything so you've got to take one fight at a time. I don't want to look too far ahead.

"I'm not overlooking Ricky and when I get through him I won't be overlooking the next guy either.

"I'm in no rush, I just want to enjoy the ride whilst I'm here, and enjoy the fights as they come."

Watch Jack Shore take on Ricky Simon at UFC FIGHT NIGHT: ORTEGA vs. RODRIGUEZ on Saturday July 16, live on BT Sport 2.

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