RIZIN 14 – Get Ready for an Unmissable Super Fight
On December 31st 2018 an historical event takes places at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama Japan: RIZIN 14
RIZIN 14 is an event headlined by a dream fight. The untouchable boxing wizard Floyd Mayweather Jr. will face the undefeated Ninja Boy of Japan: Tenshin Nasukawa.
The event is stacked with some of Japan’s greatest fighters. There will also be a bout you could argue is not only a better fight, but a better match up than the main event: a cross promotion title fight between Rizin Bantamweight Champion, and former UFC Flyweight Title Challenger, Kyoji Horiguchi and Bellator Bantamweight Champion, Darrion Caldwell. A super fight between two of the best bantamweights in the world from two different organizations. The last time there was a match up of this level was back in April 2010, when DREAM champion Shinya Aoki faced Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez at Strikeforce: Nashville. That event is mainly remembered for the “Strikeforce Brawl” between Nick and Nate Diaz and Jason “Mayhem” Miller after he disrupted Jake Shields’ post fight speech.
RIZIN 14 will have a similar impact, probably without the brawl. Ever since Pride FC started in the 90’s, legendary fights have taken place at the Saitama Super Arena. But when Pride, and much of its roster, was bought by the UFC in 2007, the Japanese scene went quiet for a few years. When former president of Pride FC, Nobuyuki Sakakibara, started RIZIN in 2015 with the likes of Takanori Gomi and Fedor Emelianenko, the Saitama Super Arena recaptured the old spirit of Pride.
With young Japanese fighters like Kyoji Horiguchi and Tenshin Nasukawa, the Japanese audience has world-class fighters they can get behind once more. The two faced off at RIZIN 13 last September, with Nasukawa winning a unanimous decision in front of a totally packed arena ad caught the attention of Japan.Little did RIZIN know that it would also catch the attention of one of the biggest names in combat sports, Floyd Maweather Jr.
The result is one of the most interesting match ups of all time: Tenshin Nasukawa vs Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a 3 round Super Challenge exhibition bout under full boxing rules.
Tenshin Nasukawa is no rookie when it comes to big fights, defeating Muay Thai champion Wanchalong PK Senchaigym via spinning back kick in his very first Muay Thai fight while still in high school. He acquired an amateur record of 99-5 before turning 18. Now, at 20 years-old, he holds a professional kickboxing record of 28-0 with 22 wins by knockout, and an MMA record of 4-0 with 2 KOs. Similarly to Mayweather, he was trained by his father. He was not only trained to be the best, but raised to be the best.
At 41 years of age, Mayweather will be the bigger fighter of the night, fighting at around 145lb to Nasukawa’s 125lb. But Floyd hasn’t been a knockout puncher in quite some time, usually spending a good amount of his fights feeling out his opponent before he begins to take over. Tenshin, being the younger, smaller fighter may be able to disrupt Mayweather from the bell, using his size, speed and unique striking abilities to deliver quick, heavy blows to the American, not letting him ever really get started.
The fight will not impact either fighters’ professional record, but both men are still going to aim to finish one another within those 3 rounds.
The question is can Tenshin overcome the aura of Floyd Mayweather jr? Can he stay focused land his shots and use his speed and power to distort Mayweather before the wizard can adapt and come out on top like he has against his last 50 opponents. If Tenshin can land his shots and have everyone on the edge of their seats it will be a great fight, but if he can hurt Mayweather, or even knock him down, then it will be a night that people will never forget.
