There's nowhere to run. Lose and your tournament dream ends right there.
From Fort Macleod, Alberta comes Tom O' Connor (9-1), who squares off against Canton, Ohio's Damonte Robinson (6-1-1) in a lightweight tournament semi-final clash at XFC 44, taking place May 28. The event unfolds inside Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, and airs live on FOX Deportes and FOX Sports 2.
O' Connor, 28, has spoken highly of Robinson's abilities and appears genuinely eager to step into the cage with the Ohioan.
"I'm really looking forward to this one," O' Connor told MMA Empire. "It feels like something fight fans are going to love watching. Neither of us wants to back down—that was the first thing that jumped out at me. We both like moving forward."
"I'm comfortable dictating pace and pushing forward, so it'll be fascinating to see how that plays out. His athleticism stands out—he's powerful, quick, and explosive. Even in grappling exchanges and wrestling exchanges, he makes smart choices. He knows exactly what he wants to do."
Robinson, 25, mirrors that mutual respect. The Canadian has studied film of the XFFC featherweight champion O' Connor, who just dispatched Jose Caceres in the XFC lightweight quarterfinals at XFC 43.
"I've caught a couple of his fights on tape, maybe one or two, but from what I've seen he's a tough competitor," Robinson explained in an interview with MMA Empire. "My coaches tell me he's coming out aggressive—he won't shy away from pressure. He's going to be right on top of me, and I'm perfectly fine with that."
"I've faced fighters who come at me aggressively before. It's nothing new to me. I'm comfortable in every scenario—whether we're trading on the feet or I find myself on my back, I'll adapt and be ready to fire back."
O' Connor feeling prepared despite last-minute matchup change
This semi-final originally featured O' Connor against DWCS alum Kenny Cross, but Cross pulled out due to injury.
That late withdrawal forced the camp to adjust their preparation strategy, though O' Connor insists his personal approach didn't shift much.
"A ton goes into building a game plan—you have to envision how the fight actually unfolds," O' Connor shared. "So we went back to square one. My coaching staff is fantastic at that; they immediately started breaking down footage."
"Beyond that, my individual training stayed largely the same. My goal has always been to compete against the best fighters on the planet and prove myself among them. That mindset requires flexibility. And honestly, if there's ever a time to hone your adaptability, it's during a global pandemic."
O' Connor has noticed his rate-setting ability improve in recent outings, though he acknowledged a slight timing hiccup with his striking during his last appearance—a direct result of stepping away from competition.
Given the compressed schedule leading into this late-May showdown, those timing quirks should be ironed out well before fight night.
"This tournament represents a fantastic opportunity for me, and I'm thrilled to be competing in XFC," O'Connor shared. "Having the chance to step into the cage under these conditions feels incredibly rewarding. The fact that we're putting together another event—and potentially with fans returning—makes it even more special. My timing and overall readiness should be sharper this time around."
"My training routine has taken on a slightly different shape, but adaptability is what defines us as athletes. I've embraced the additional challenges because they push me to demonstrate my capabilities further—that's the essence of who I am as a fighter."
Lethbridge boasts a deep-rooted combat sports culture, with mentors like Lee Mein and Brad Wall (who served as O'Connor's only corner man) setting the standard for aspiring fighters.
While Progressive Fighting Academy and CMC martial arts practitioners have traditionally supported O'Connor during his preparation phases, the disruptions caused by the pandemic inevitably impacted these collaborative efforts during this particular camp.
"There's a remarkable treasure trove of expertise right here in our community. Everyone shares a genuine passion for the craft, and that enthusiasm is essential for true learning. You can't absorb knowledge effectively without being deeply invested in it," O'Connor explained.
"I'm fortunate to be surrounded by individuals who genuinely care about this sport. They're eager to both learn and share their wisdom, and I consider myself lucky enough to soak up every lesson."
Robinson embraces high-profile moments
Cross's cancelled matchup against Dana White's Contender Series adds an interesting layer to this XFC contest.
Where Cross had to pull out, Robinson stepped forward to fill the void in a prominent position on an important card.
"I've never been the type to pass up opportunities. Mixed martial arts isn't a field where you can be selective about opponents or timing. If the UFC called and asked me to take a fight with just a week to weigh in, I wouldn't hesitate—I'd make the weight. If you want to compete, you show up," Robinson stated.
"I feel bad for Kenny Cross—I imagine he's frustrated too—but I don't know his exact situation. All I've heard is that he sustained some injury, and I haven't received specifics. I hope he makes a full recovery soon, and I'm confident our paths will cross again eventually."
Robinson revealed he's been conducting productive sessions at Ground Zero MMA during this training period.
His preparation mirrors elements of O'Connor's strategy while maintaining a flexible perspective on how his opponent might approach the fight.
"Several of my training partners certainly put effort into emulating his approach, but we didn't dwell extensively on that aspect," Robinson noted.
"Ultimately, regardless of what you observe from an opponent, they'll adjust their game. They improve and evolve. We simply don't overemphasize that part of preparation."
Beyond sharpening his physical abilities alongside contemporary competitors, Robinson has also benefited from wisdom offered by veterans of the sport.
One standout example emerged through conversations with UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman following a recent bout.
"Connecting with Mark Coleman proved incredibly valuable. He actually served as a corner man for one of my previous opponents. After that match, he entered the cage and expressed serious admiration for the effort I displayed. He's repeatedly told me how satisfied he is with my progress," Robinson recounted.
"I'm currently staying in his area here in Columbus, and I'm planning to reach out to see if he'd be willing to conduct a private session or share any insights while I'm in town."
O' Connor's Shoutouts
"I owe gratitude to my family and friends for standing behind me. My supporters mean the world to me, and I'm grateful for Progressive Fighting Academy. While they're currently closed, I eagerly anticipate the day we can return to training once vaccinations are widespread. I'm equally enthusiastic about Hard Training—the atmosphere there energizes me, and the coaching sessions with Trevor leave me feeling robust and well-conditioned. Frontline Towing has been wonderful to rely on, especially since driving isn't my strongest suit—it's reassuring to have dependable backup."
Follow O' Connor on social media: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
Robinson's Shoutouts
"I want to express my appreciation to all my coaches and sponsors for their contributions. Beyond that, I'm thankful to anyone who believed in me or dedicated any time to my development—even a single lesson matters. I truly value the energy people direct toward me, whether through belief or encouragement. My gratitude extends to everyone who has supported me along this journey."
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