It’s been a long road to get where he is today, but for Sheldon Doll, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Doll (7-3) faces Kris Lee (4-3) in the main event of Rumble in the Cage 61 for the vacant light heavyweight championship in Lethbridge, Alta. on Friday night.
Doll explained how he’s been competing in MMA for nearly 11 years and feels the time is right to be in the position he’s at in his career.
Eleven years on the Canadian regional circuit is an eternity in this sport — careers at this level are usually measured in seasons, not decades. The fact that Doll has kept climbing through multiple promotions and weight classes is itself the credential Rumble in the Cage is betting on with a main event slot.
“It’s a culmination of a lot of years’ work. I never felt the need to rush the process. It’s been a long road and I’m excited to showcase now that I feel I’m at my best, or on my way to my best,” Doll said.
Doll and Lee were scheduled to compete two previous times, but one way or another the fight never came to fruition. Now, Doll is eager to get in there and compete with Lee.
Two failed bookings make this something close to a grudge match by circumstance rather than animosity — the fighters have studied each other twice now, which tends to produce more tactical preparation than a fresh pairing ever would.
“He’s well-versed, and he’s got a lot of weapons I need to be aware of. I respect him, and look forward to competing against him.”
As for the fight itself, Doll doesn’t like making predictions, but he feels that if an opportunity arises, he’s going to capitalize and leave with the win.
“A fight is a very dynamic environment. Whatever opens up I’m going to take that and whatever I see, that’s what I’m going to take,” Doll said.
“I’m more of an opportunistic capitalist on whatever opens up.”
The Cranbrook native has called Lethbridge home for the past three years while training at Canadian Martial Arts Centre (CMC) and is excited to compete in the main event for the light heavyweight title.
“To do the main event is awesome. Lethbridge is slowly becoming my hometown now and I got a lot of support here.”
Rumble in the Cage has been Lethbridge's anchor promotion for years, and main events on its cards are where southern Alberta's MMA scene crowns its champions. A vacant light heavyweight title at RITC 61 is exactly the kind of belt that feeds the province's top-10 conversation.
Lee Eager to Get Back to Competition
It’s been nearly two years since Lee has stepped foot inside the cage, and he’s excited he gets the chance to do just that in the main event of Rumble in the Cage 61.
Nearly two years away is a long layoff at any level of the sport — ring rust is real, and fighters who come back on title-fight stages are betting their preparation covered the gap. For Lee the upside is steep: a belt and a resume-restarting win in one night.
“The fight didn’t happen before, but I’m super excited now that it’s happening for the belt,” Lee said.
Lee knows he’s in for a tough test against Doll, but he said he’s heading to Lethbridge to get a win by any means necessary.
“I know it’s going to be a very tough fight, but I’m coming in and fighting hard.”
Not one for predictions, Lee said he’s coming into the fight with an open mind, but plans to dictate the pace on fight night.
“I know anything can happen in there. But I’m going to be aggressive and use my hands a lot, make him move backwards and dictate the pace of the fight,” Lee said.
He said the belt is nice, but he’s just eager to get back competing and plans to have a successful year and rise up the ranks in Canada.
“The belt is extra. I want to get in there and fight the best guys. Beating Sheldon, for me, would be absolutely amazing.”
The 33-year-old feels the time is now to get the momentum going in his career and looks to start things off by beating Doll on Friday.
“To get back in there and have a chance to get back into the top 10 in Canada if I put Sheldon away, it’s exciting.”
Canada's light heavyweight rankings are always in flux — the division is shallow enough that one good run reshuffles the whole list, which makes a regional belt worth considerably more than its weight in hardware.
The Newfoundland native has been training in southern Ontario, at UFC Gym Mississauga for this fight, although he will be representing his gym from back home in St. John’s, Michael Foley’s Academy of Martial Arts.
The cross-country camp split — Newfoundland roots, Ontario training, Alberta fight night — is a familiar pattern for East Coast fighters chasing the western scene's deeper cards. Where a fighter trains says less than who shows up on the night.
Doll’s Shoutouts
“Thank you to my coaches and team at CMC. Thank you to my sponsors, Peppermint Hippo Tattoo and Honeyman Morris Inc.”
Lee’s Shoutouts
“Sponsors from Labrador; Forteau Sales and Services, and Northern Light Inn Hotel. My brother Keith for all of his help during this camp. Michael Foley, and Michael Foley’s Academy of Martial Arts in St. John’s. All my training partners, and everyone else that showed me support for this fight.”
