Undefeated Miles Lee anxious to show true skills in CFFC 111 bid for middleweight title

Undefeated as both an amateur and professional, Miles Lee is quickly gaining a reputation as a blue chip prospect destined for big things in the sport. The crazy part? He's just now getting comfortable in the cage.

"I feel like I'm still growing," Lee said. "I feel like I kind of leaped a little bit in the amateur career, straight to the pro career. I felt like I should have got a little bit more comfortable in my amateur career in the cage because it showed a little bit in my last pro fight.

"I'm still trying to get comfortable in the cage a little bit. Now I'm starting to feel like this is home, but in the beginning of my pro career, I wasn't 100 percent comfortable, so that's where I'm getting now."

Lee fought his final three amateur bouts under the CFFC banner, taking out undefeated opponents in the final two contests and claiming the CFFC NextGen middleweight title. Lee had wanted to try and defend the belt a few times, but after finding it difficult to get opponents, he decided a move to the professional ranks was in order.

Three straight wins in a nine-month span proved Lee (3-0) was ready for the challenge, and now he'll get to take an even bigger step forward, as he'll challenge Donovan Beard (6-1) for the vacant CFFC middleweight title when the two clash in the main event of Friday's CFFC 111, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Mississippi's Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino.

"I'm really excited," Lee said. "I'm looking to take this title and come back home with it. I'm not really trying to waste any time down there in Mississippi. My goal is to be in and out of the cage, and bring the belt home to Philadelphia so I can celebrate with my friends and family and my teammates and my coaches. That's the plan, and I'm looking for that to happen."

Lee's previous six opponents in the CFFC cage had a combined record of 19-2 at the time he faced them, so he's used to meeting quality opposition. Beard is no different, and Lee is excited for the challenge that he'll present.

"I think he's a really good fighter," Lee said. "I think he's tall, lanky – you know, a pretty big guy and a really good fighter. I'm sure he's coming in with the same mindset I'm coming in here with, but I will win this fight.

"I think it's going to be a good fight, but at the end of the day, I'm looking to get my hand raised and be in and out of that cage. I'm trying to get the finish this fight."

Finishes are the one thing that's been lacking from Lee's professional run thus far, with all three of his previous wins coming by decision. The 24-year-old knows the big shows like to see knockouts and submissions, and he's hoping to pick up more of those moving forward. Staying undefeated matters, but Lee knows there's always room to get better.

"My team does a phenomenal job of keeping me motivated to drive forward and get better and continue to develop myself as a fighter," Lee said. "I feel like every camp I have, it's always a change, because every fight I have is different. Every camp is different because you've got to change things up. You've got to add more to your arsenal, you know?

"Every camp I have is just me getting better and better. That's why I'm so excited, because I get to show my true skills. My last three fights, I feel like ya'll really haven't seen my true skills, my true standup game, but this fight right here, I'm looking to show it off, so I'm excited."

Lee's ultimate goals include claiming and defending the CFFC middleweight title and then gunning for the welterweight belt, too. But all of that can come in due time. Right now, Lee knows his focus must be singular as he seeks his seventh straight win under the CFFC banner.

"Being the main event on this card and traveling to Mississippi to do it, it's an honor, and it's something that is really special to me because to show my skills to the people in that crowd and be the main event, this is just an awesome opportunity," Lee said. "I want everybody to tune in for this fight. This is going to be fun, exciting, really competitive, and we're fighting for gold. I'm really blessed and excited to be in this position, and I will not upset the fans."