American-Malaysian fighter Aaron Ern-Wuei Phillips is looking forward to his first UFC bout in six years.

Phillips (12-3) is scheduled to face Jack Shore (12-0) on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 172: Kattar vs. Ige, the second of four UFC Fight Island events in Abu Dhabi, on July 16.

The 30-year-old was included for the event after Shore's original opponent, Anderson dos Santos, tested positive for COVID-19.

The last time he entered the Octagon was in August 2014, when he suffered a decision loss to former Legacy FC bantamweight champion Matt Hobar.

He then briefly left the professional MMA scene before returning in 2018, kicking off a five-fight winning streak.



Ahead of his UFC return, Phillips believes he is now a better fighter than he was six years ago.

"Of course that I was already in the UFC is an advantage, it helps me stay relaxed. The last time I was very stiff and so serious all the time.

"But I've been there before with my name in the lights, and I knew that I was supposed to be there again. Now it's my time to get out there and prove that I belong," he said.

Phillips also expressed his excitement to take on an opponent of Shore's calibre — the Welshman is currently unbeaten in 24 consecutive professional and amateur fights.

"My opponent is undefeated, and I think it's an exciting match-up. I think we match up well, but I think I edge him out on the feet a little bit.

"I know he's undefeated and he's very strong, but I don't think he's really been tested or has had a lot of pressure put on him. So we'll get him in that area and see how he responds to getting hit.

"We've watched a lot of footage and we know what he's good at. I'm a pretty heavy underdog in this fight. There's no doubt that he's good, but I'm a live dog, and I can finish this fight. Nobody should count me out of this fight," he added.

On my UFC Fight Kit, I chose to represent the USA ?? and Malaysia ??. Found out they hadn’t had a Malaysian Crest made or flag approved yet, supposing I’m the first one to choose represent Malaysia in the UFC. Though it’s not where my martial arts journey began or where I was born, I do very much appreciate the culture and my family there. We plan to visit again next year as things settle down. And the food is downright amazing there! They told me recently they have started working on the Crest & Fight Kit colors going forward. ?

A post shared by Aaron Phillips (@headkicks_mma) on

With his return to the UFC, Phillips hopes it would open up opportunities of participating in the top promotion's future Asian events due to his Malaysian heritage.

"Since there have been fights in Singapore, I'm really hoping I can fight there so that all of my family can watch me fight.

"It's not in Malaysia, but it's my goal to fight in a time zone that they can all see me. I am proud to represent Malaysia.

"My mom came over from Penang to the US for university and met my father. She was a school teacher, so every summer we would go back to Malaysia.

"I went every year from the ages of four to about 11. As I started to get more involved in sports competitions, I could go only every three years. Then as I got older, every time I go to Thailand to train, I go visit my family in Malaysia.

"After I got married, my wife and I did the tea ceremony there where I formally introduced her to my family. I have taken my kids, Hosea and Esther, to meet all of my family — our family's huge, I've got a few cousins my age.

"My jiagong [grandfather] passed away about a month ago, and I'm sad, but I'm glad my kids got to know him," he said.

Watch Phillips vs Shore and the rest of UFC Fight Night 172: Kattar vs. Ige on Fox Sports (CH815 HD & CH835) from 7am on July 16 (subject to change)