Televised defeat more a beginning than end for DF MMA competitor

By Ernie Clark
Staff Writer

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Derek Shorey’s chance to compete on a nationally televised mixed martial arts card didn’t turn out the way he had hoped.

But for the 33-year-old former state wrestling champion from Foxcroft Academy, his first-round loss to Kody Nordby at the Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island, last Friday night was more a beginning than the end.

“If anybody watched on (AXS)-TV they could see the big smile on my face throughout the whole thing,” said Shorey, who took the fight as a late replacement.

“I think that had a lot with me losing that fight. I was just way too excited to be there and not focused enough on the fight.”

Shorey isn’t dwelling on the specifics of that bout, but instead is looking ahead to his next foray in the cage on Feb. 6 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston as part of NEF 21, a show hosted by the Maine-based New England Fights promotion.

He’ll be on that card along with the three men who worked in his corner for the Nordby fight — his brother Dustin Shorey, Justin Witham and David Thompson.

Those fighters train under Shorey at his Shatterproof Combat Club, which has moved from its original base in downtown Dexter to a new facility on the Dover Road known as The Outlet, where instruction in other disciplines such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu also will be offered.

“We’ve got some surprises coming in 2016,” he said, “and this (televised fight) kicking it off is just the sprinkles.”

Shorey landed the first kick in his bout against the 22-year-old Nordby, but Nordby soon forced the action to the ground. While Shorey was able to roll into top position, his Cumberland, Rhode Island-based opponent was able to draw him into a triangle choke hold to force a submission 41 seconds into the match.

“He’s definitely the best wrestler I’ve ever fought,” said Shorey. “He caught me in that fireman’s carry and surprised me. I was able to get up and my game plan was for every time he took me down to get back up, but I saw him on his back and got excited and dove right into a triangle.”

Nordby improved his record to 6-3, with all of his victories coming by submission — the last three in the first round.

“I stepped up at the last minute against the No. 10 bantamweight in the Northeast, and it was absolute blessing to fight on TV as well,” said Shorey, whose professional MMA record fell to 3-4.

“I’m excited still from the event as I process it all and am very thankful for my sponsors who got me there and all the people who got behind me.”

Shorey’s next opponent is Josh Lange of Sanborn, New York, one of two fighters who dropped out of a bout against Nordby to create an opportunity for Shorey to take the main-card bout on the CES 32 card on 10 days notice.

“This is only the beginning, I’m fired up,” said Shorey, who added that he has been invited to compete again for CES in the coming year. “I’ve got a losing record again and it’s left a sour taste in my mouth. I just need to train harder because I definitely know what I’m capable of.”