RIZIN FF News
VIDEO | Joe Rogan: 'I don't know why people think [Floyd Mayweather vs Tenshin Nasukawa] was a fixed fight'
Drake Riggs - January 10, 2019
“A lot of people think that was a fixed fight,” Joe Rogan said on the Joe Rogan Experience. “I think that was a 120-pound fighter… Fighting the best ever. I mean, it wasn’t a fixed fight. I don’t know why people think it was a fixed fight. That guy fights at 126-pounds I think. I think that’s his weight class. He’s tiny.
Tenshin Nasukawa responds to Conor McGregor callout, provides counter-offer
Tom Taylor - January 7, 2019
Last night, in a somewhat surprising twist, former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor called for an exhibition mixed martial arts bout with 20-year-old Japanese kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa, who was recently trounced in an exhibition boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. I wish to go to Tokyo to face Tenshin Nasukawa in a Mixed Martial Arts exhibition bout.Before this summer. Please arrange this, this instant. Yours sincerely The champ champ. @ufc @ParadigmSM
Brendan Schaub argues Floyd Mayweather vs. Tenshin Nasukawa fight was fixed
Tom Taylor - January 3, 2019
Speaking on a recent episode of his Below the Belt podcast, former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub shared his belief that the Floyd Mayweather vs. Tenshin Nasukawa exhibition bout that topped the RIZIN 14 card on New Years eve was fixed. “I’ve seen better acting in pornos,” Schaub said bluntly on his show (transcript via BoxingScene.com). “Floyd’s just doing his thing, he’s the aggressor, so it’s not as hard to fake it. But Tenshin needs acting skills. They should have got someone to work with him on falling down, getting hit in the face, and all that.
Tenshin Nasukawa admits he 'underestimated' Floyd Mayweather
Tom Taylor - January 2, 2019
On New Years Eve in Tokyo, Japan, in the main event of RIZIN 14, 20-year-old Japanese kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa stepped through the ropes for an exhibition boxing match with undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. Because this fight was an exhibition, it would not wind up on either fighters record, no matter the outcome. All the same, Nasukawa hoped to do the unthinkable and knock the Floyd Mayweather out.
Opinion: How Floyd Mayweather pulled off the heist of the century at RIZIN 14
Jordy McElroy - January 1, 2019
Tenshin Nasukawa showed up for a fight, and Floyd Mayweather showed up for an exhibition match at RIZIN 14. Ironically, they both got exactly what they wanted at the featured special rules boxing match in Japan on New Year’s Eve. Mayweather left without a scratch after a glorified celebrity appearance, and Nasukawa tasted the pain and heartache of defeat after a real fight with the best boxer on the planet.
Darrion Caldwell reacts to submission loss to Kyoji Horiguchi, hints at rematch in the cage
Tom Taylor - December 31, 2018
Bellator bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell traveled all the way to Japan on his quest for a second world title, as we was booked for a RIZIN 14 bantamweight title fight with Japanese star Kyoji Horiguchi. Early on this fight, it looked as though Caldwell might succeed on his transpacific mission, as he was able to take Horiguchi down and control him on the canvas.
Tenshin Nasukawa issues statement after stoppage loss to Floyd Mayweather
Tom Taylor - December 31, 2018
On New Years Eve in Tokyo, Japan (Monday morning in North America), Japanese kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa stepped through the ropes for an exhibition boxing match with undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. Because this fight was an exhibition, it would not wind up on either fighters record, no matter the outcome. All the same, Nasukawa hoped to do the unthinkable and knock the Floyd Mayweather out.
The combats sports community reacts to Floyd Mayweather smashing Tenshin Nasukawa
Tom Taylor - December 31, 2018
On Monday night (Monday morning in North America), undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. stepped into the RIZIN Fighting Federation ring for a strange exhibition bout with 20-year-old kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa. In the weeks leading up to this exhibition bout — and really, until the very point the action began — Floyd Mayweather looked like he was taking it all incredibly lightly. Once the action began, however, the legend of pugilism began pouring on the offense, punishing his much smaller opponent with the kind of winging power shots he has not thrown in years. To him, it seemed, this was indeed a real fight.
RIZIN 14 results: Kyoji Horiguchi scores huge comeback win over Darrion Caldwell, Ayaka Hamasaki claims gold
Drake Riggs - December 31, 2018
It came and went, but as usual, it was a great night of action for the RIZIN Fighting Federation’s big New Year’s Eve show. This year, it was RIZIN 14. Of the multiple UFC veterans competing at the event, Justin Scoggins was one of them as he made his promotional debut against Yuki Motoya in a 132-pound catchweight bout.
EXCLUSIVE | Tenshin Nasukawa certain he will perform better than Conor McGregor against Floyd Mayweather
Tom Taylor - December 27, 2018
20-year-old Japanese kickboxing wunderkind Tenshin Nasukawa is currently gearing up for the experience of a lifetime: a three-round exhibition boxing match with undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. The bout will top the stacked RIZIN 14 card, which goes down inside the hallowed Saitaima Super Arena, just outside Tokyo, Japan, on New Years Eve. Given that Tenshin Nasukawa and Floyd Mayweather come from two different sports — one that allows kicks, one that doesn’t — it should come as no surprise that the negotiations for this anticipated exhibition match were difficult. The two parties had to agree on a rule-set that would satisfy Mayweather, but also maintain some level of competitive legitimacy.
PHOTOS | The MMA Community celebrates Christmas
Tom Taylor - December 26, 2018
Another Christmas has come and gone. Santa Clause made his yearly trip around the world, presents were opened, gut-busting mountains of food were eaten, and of course, many of the world’s top MMA fighters celebrated with their families. On Tuesday, MMA fighters from top promotions all over the world — from the UFC to Bellator to ONE Championship to Rizin — took to social media to wish their fans a Merry Christmas, and let everyone know how they were celebrating.
Tenshin Nasukawa on Floyd Mayweather: 'I feel like kicking him'
Tom Taylor - December 19, 2018
On New Years Even, inside the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan, undefeated kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa will step into the ring with undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a bizarre exhibition match. The bout will headline the stacked RIZIN 14 card. In this bout, Nasukawa will not be allowed to throw kicks. He will, however, be able to punch with full enthusiasm, as a knockout victory for either party is apparently allowable under the bout’s ruleset.
Gabi Garcia returns as RIZIN announces two additional bouts for RIZIN 14
Drake Riggs - December 12, 2018
It wouldn’t have been a RIZIN New Year’s Eve event without Gabi Garcia (5-0). And as the promotion announced today, she will be in action after all. The past three years during RIZIN’s big yearend events, the multi-time BJJ gold medalist Garcia has been featured.
VIDEO | Rizin releases promo for Floyd Mayweather vs. Tenshin Nasukawa bout
Tom Taylor - December 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/nobu_sakakibara/status/1070887441282752512 On Thursday evening, Rizin Fighting Federation released a promo for the main attraction of Rizin 14 on New Years Eve, a delightfully strange boxing exhibition between undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather Jr and undefeated kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa. This promo, which seems to show Floyd Mayweather scouring the globe for a worthy adversary, is definitely worth watching.
VIDEO | Floyd Mayweather snaps at reporter when asked why kicks aren't allowed in Tenshin Nasukawa bout
Tom Taylor - December 7, 2018
The rules for the much discussed New Years Eve exhibition bout between undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and undefeated kickboxing wunderkind Tenshin Nasukawa have now been released. This bout will be boxing only, though it will be full-contact competition — which implies a knockout is possible. Kicks will not be allowed, which effectively rules out Nasukawa’s best shot at a victory.
Rules, weight revealed for Floyd Mayweather vs. Tenshin Nasukawa bout
Tom Taylor - December 7, 2018
Ever since it was first reported that undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather will battle undefeated kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa in Tokyo on New Years Eve, we’ve all been wondering what the rules of the bout will be. Mayweather has repeatedly stated it will be a boxing-only exhibition match, but many members of the MMA community have expressed doubt about this. Well, now we have some clarity.
Joe Rogan wonders if we’ll see kicks in Floyd Mayweather vs. Tenshin Nasukawa fight
Thomas Taylor - November 25, 2018
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan has heard all of the buzz about Floyd Mayweather and Tenshin Nasukawa’s RIZIN 14 exhibition boxing match, and like pretty much everybody else inside the combat sports bubble, he’s not really sure what to expect. Speaking on a recent Fight Companion episode of his popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Rogan shared some quick thoughts on this shadowy RIZIN contest.
Tenshin Nasukawa sends a warning to Floyd Mayweather
Tom Taylor - November 22, 2018
The story of Floyd Mayweather and Tenshin Nasukawa’s New Years Eve showdown has been a strange one. The contest was first announced earlier this month, but the excitement was promptly stomped out by Floyd Mayweather, who claimed he’d been ‘blindsided’ by the bout’s promoter, Rizin Fighting Federation.