Photo via @unifiedmma on Twitter
Tom O’Connor: ”Don’t Blink” At Unified MMA 54
Tom O’Connor finally battles Craig Shintani at Unified MMA 54 on December 15th. This lightweight showdown transpires in the UFC Fight Pass broadcasted Co-Main Event.
Tom O’Connor came on episode one of MMA Canada Radio. Excerpts from our chat are below.
Tom O’Connor
The story of this upcoming fight is quite intriguing because I did touch on it a bit in the introduction. But I mean Craig Shintani is somebody where you guys have been aligned a few times at this point. Like a couple of XFFC attempts and then also specifically under the Unified MMA Banner as well towards the end of 2021 there.
So, when this came your way for this next one because you were initially supposed to be fighting Ramil Kamilov. So, what were your thoughts when the name Shintani came your way? Because like I said, there is definitely a backstory to this Unified MMA 54 contest.
“Yeah, absolutely some backstory. Being in local MMA and fighting here in Alberta and Canada, we’re going to be crossing paths with those people. No, I look forward to it because it’s a fight that’s been building up over the years. I’ve had to be the one to kind of unfortunately pull out because of injury in the past. So, it’s an opportunity for me to kind of right that wrong. Also, it’s just a super fun stylistic fight.”
“It’s a challenge of a similar game style where we have this forward heavy pressure. Skilled grapplers, he’s strong, he’s athletic, he’s fast, and he has that explosiveness. Then on top of that, he’s a good grappler. So, he’s going to be playing the chess game with me and along with me. As I try and put the pressure on him and just be a step ahead of him and lead the dance in the chess game.”
Unified MMA 54
Tom O’Connor continued, “So as a stylistic fight, it’s super exciting because it’s a tough fight. As you know with me, that’s what I want. I want to be making sure I’m challenging myself and having these fights that challenge what I’m trying to do. What I’m trying to accomplish in the gym and my style. So yeah, in that sense, it’s a really exciting fight. Have to be adaptable to change from Ramil to him but that’s the sport we’re in (laughs). Making sure you’re adaptable and making sure you’re able to kind of go with the ebbs and flows of the game.”
