TUF Alum Cameron Dollar Sees Recent Win Over Tyler Toner as First Step to Big Leagues

For former Ultimate Fighter 9 cast member Cameron “Money Man” Dollar, his win over former UFC featherweight Tyler “Thunder” Toner at Ring of Fire 43 was something he felt he needed at this stage of his career.

“It’s something that I really wanted to do,” said Dollar. “I’ve always looked up to Tyler as one of the top guys at 145 and one of the best in the state for sure. I feel like I dominated the situation and dominated the fight.”

Dollar told MMAWeekly.com that the fight was especially important because he was able to get a submission victory and not just ride out a decision.

“I’m the only one that’s finished him, which is something I really wanted to do,” said Dollar. “His losses have only been by decision, and I really wanted to finish it not only for myself, but for the fans and everyone else.

“I didn’t want to leave it to the judges or have anyone (debate) who won. I just wanted to put an end to it all.”

Dollar credits his move to featherweight for his success this year, having won back-to-back fights.

“I was fighting before at 155, and when I came back from (TUF) I realized that it was just too big of a weight class for me,” he said. “I was really born and bred to be a 145er.

“I learned the science of cutting weight, dieting, and doing what pros do. I’ve been undefeated at 145 and I think it’s where I need to be at. I don’t need to be taking catchweight fights at 150 or go up to 155; it’s not what I want. I want to make my home at 145.”

Dollar extolled the virtues of the new weight by saying, “I’ve seen and hung out with the top guys at 145, and luckily enough I’ve had the opportunity to compare myself to these guys.

“By no means am I boasting about myself by any means, but when it comes down to it, I’m a big 145er. I’ve got a lot of reach and because I’m tall and skinny I’ve got a lot of leverage with my limbs and whatnot.”

Now that Dollar has established himself as a premier featherweight in the MMA-rich environment in Colorado, he wants to get back on the national stage and prove himself after his struggles on TUF.

“I’m just looking back to get into the mainstream, into a big show,” he said. “Whether it’s Bellator, Strikeforce, UFC, Titan or whatever, I just want to get back on a big show and get back on TV and get my name out there.

“I want to be an example for kids that have had a rough upbringing or had a rough time; people that have dealt with a lot of things in life like negativity or whatever. I just want to be an example that if you stand up for your hopes and dreams, you can achieve them; you’ve just got to believe. You may not know how you can do it, but if you believe, you can do anything damn near, you know.”

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