VIDEO: Tom O'Connor plans to 'run through' Damonte Robinson at XFC 44

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Canadian Tom O’Connor looks to push his winning streak to 10-straight when he battles Damonte Robinson at XFC 44 on May 28.

The 28-year-old will be competing in his second straight fight-up a weight class in the 155-pound division. While a drop to featherweight could happen in the future, O’Connor was pleased with his XFC debut win over Jose Caceres in November.

“I felt good, my energy levels felt really good in the camp,” O’Connor told The Scrap. “Travelling and weight cutting, of course, it’s always tough, but I at 155-pounds it’s not it’s not too bad at all for me. And especially just like coming back from a long layoff. I really enjoyed that weight class. I like 155 and 145. But having that layoff going into 155 and he opportunity for the tournament. I couldn’t say no to that. So yeah, I was happy with 155, it felt good.”

O’Connor (9-1) has finished his last four opponents and has only gone the distance twice in his 11-fight career. “Big Nasty” will be competing in just his second fight since 2019.

Robinson (6-1-1) heads into his XFC debut off back-to-back victories, including a split decision win over previously undefeated TJ Rigel at Iron Tiger FS 91 in January 2020. The 25-year-old’s lone career loss came against UFC lightweight Devonte Smith at IT Fight Series in July 2017.

While the pair have similar records, O’Connor expects a dominate performance as he looks to advance in the lightweight tournament.

“I’m going to run through him, it’s going to be a hurricane,” O’Connor explained. “My fights are going to be messy and I’m going to just grind and and outwork him. That’s always been my style. I’m not going to say knockout or submission, but I’m going to just keep looking for opportunities. Anything he gives me I’m going to take and it’s just going to be constant pressure.”

XFC 44 takes place May 28 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. Former UFC bantamweight Andre Soukhamthath battles fellow UFC vet Jose Quinonez in the main event.

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