(PRESS RELEASE) -- Hamilton New Jersey's Tim Dooling comes across as a very level-headed guy. He's not known for his wild antics inside the cage or out.
It begins to sound more reasonable when he explains a little further.
"You don't really know the kind person you are until you're in a fight and pushing yourself to the point where you're waiting to see if your body or your mind will break first. That's what I love about getting hit and fighting: getting to that place. It's so exciting."
Dooling will return to the cage on Saturday, March 9, 2013, in the Xanadu Theater at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, as part of "The Darwish Brothers Presents EFC: Relentless" MMA event in support of the night's main event between EFC Welterweight Champion Fabian Rosario (6-0) and Danny Massa (2-2).
21-year-old Dooling is in his fourth years as a fighter and currently trains at Blue Line Defense and Fitness in Ewing, New Jersey, with trainer Britton "Tiger" Thomas lll. Unlike some who grow up street fighting before entering the cage, Dooling was an accomplished athlete in several more peaceful sports.
"I grew up playing travel baseball players all over the East Coast. That's what I did for the longest time. I was a three-sport athlete: soccer, baseball and swimming."
So how did he end up in one of the roughest sports on earth?
"Growing up, I was always interested in wrestling and boxing and I was always athletic. So when I got out of school, MMA was a natural choice that took my athleticism and used it as the main component of the sport. I love to throw hands. That's my number one thing. I do throw kicks. I like to throw knees and elbows. I like to get inside. I like the all-encompassing nature of MMA. I would love to have a career in it, even if it led to coaching in the future."
Dooling will be looking for his first victory on Saturday night, having lost his first fight by decision last November.
"The thing has always been a little shaky in my game is my wrestling; takedown defense and takedowns in general. The first guy I fought was a good wrestler, and what I took away from it was that my kicks were hurting my takedown defense. Every time I'd throw a kick, he'd take me down and that's what won it for him. This fight I've been preparing a lot more for getting on the inside with my hands as opposed to using my feet to set it up. I'm working on being more elusive to get it the pocket and throw uppercuts and hooks. I want to make it exciting. I know everybody loves a knockout."
Promoter Hani Darwish says Dooling is a welcome addition to his show. "Tim always comes to fight and he's got tremendous heart," said Darwish. "As a promoter, who doesn't want a guy on the show that says he loves to get hit? You know his fights are going to be exciting."
Fighting on a Darwish Brothers show in a world-class casino could make some people nervous. Dooling says he's keeping his composure.
"It's the first big event for me and I have a good amount of friends coming, but I'm ok. I'm hoping to have a nice cheering section. I'm really excited about it."
Tickets for "The Darwish Brothers Presents EFC: Relentless" are priced at $45, $55, $65, $75, $100 and $125 Cageside and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000, or at the Trump Taj Mahal box office on fight night.
***The Darwish Brothers are offering an exciting discount on tickets purchased on fight night for their EFC "Relentless" MMA event on Saturday, March 9, 2013, in the Xanadu Theater at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Attendees of the NJSIAA 2013 State Wrestling Championships, being held the weekend of March 8 - 10 in Atlantic City, can present a valid ticket stub from the tournament and receive $5 off the advertised ticket price for EFC "Relentless".***
Doors open at 7 pm and the first bout is at 8 pm. All bouts subject to change.