SOMETHING has got to give when unbeaten duo Jack Shore and Mike Ekundayo meet for the vacant world bantamweight crown at Cage Warriors 100 this December, writes Jason Batty.

Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff will be the setting for two of the UK’s most exciting MMA prospects to put their perfect records on the line.

Tillery Combat’s Shore had envisaged himself having the gold strap around his waist by now, but the late withdrawal of his opponent two days before Cage Warriors 97 put paid to that.

Standing opposite him later this year is an equally decorated fighter with a record similar to his own – both are undefeated as amateurs and professionals.

“There’s a lot of hype about this guy, but when I dispose of him I think I’m going to finish him,” said Shore.

“When people see me do that they’re going to think this kid is for real and this is not just a hype train or just talk.

“Ekundayo is one below me in the rankings, so we are the top two guys in the UK. It’s a big domestic fight.”

With the highest-ranked UK bantamweights outside the UFC locking horns, the encounter has all the makings of a contest likely produce fireworks in the arena.

With both fighters holding submission victories and boasting solid wrestling backgrounds, fans can expect to see an explosive technical match-up.

“He’s a good wrestler, he has good takedowns,” added Shore. “I don’t want to say lay and prey but that’s his game, he does look for the submission here and there.

“But I don’t see anything in him that I’m particularly worried about. It’s undoubtedly going to be a tough fight because of his style.

“I’ll have to stop him getting me to the deck, but I’m a lot better than him in a lot of areas, so on fight night people will see the level where I am at.”

The key for Shore may lay in his hands, but his all-round game presents serious problems for the Londoner.

“He’s going to look to take me down and put the pressure on,” he said. “I may come out to strike, take him down and put the pressure on him.

“I have a lot of tools he needs to worry about.

“I am always confident. It’s not a matter of overlooking him, I’m just confident in my ability to beat him.

“I’m sure he feels the same way, he wouldn’t take the fight if he didn’t, but we’re at the level now where we are fighting for world titles, so it makes sense for us to fight each other and on the night you will see the best man win.”

Ekundayo will feel equally assured having finished five of seven opponents and sharing the same stable as former UFC veteran Brad Pickett and current UFC star Nathaniel Wood.