Joe Rogan: Mayweather Could Have ‘Terrible Night’ Against Nasukawa If Kicks Are Allowed

The combat sports community is still abuzz after Rizin Fighting Federation announced undefeated boxing star Floyd Mayweather would square off against unbeaten kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa on New Year’s Eve.

The rules and weight class for the bout have yet to be determined, leaving open the slight possibility that strikes beyond punches will be allowed. However, most savvy observers realize that Mayweather is unlikely to agree to anything — i.e. kicks, elbows, submissions — that takes him outside his comfort zone.

Still, UFC analyst Joe Rogan couldn’t help but speculate as to what might happen if Nasukawa was allowed to showcase his full skillset against “Money.”

“I don’t know what kind of ‘special rules’ they’re supposed to be fighting under ,but I just like the fact that it’s going to happen and that people get to google Tenshin’s name and see some of his fights,” Rogan wrote on Instagram. “He’s a true striking genius. I doubt Floyd is going to agree to any rules that allow Tenshin to kick, but if he does it could be a terrible night for him. This kid is the truth.”

Nasukawa currently owns a 27-0 kickboxing record, with 20 victories coming by way of knockout. He is also 4-0 in MMA but has not competed in professional boxing. Rizin 14 takes place on Dec. 31 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

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I’m sure many of you combat sports fans have heard that @floydmayweather has signed to face @tenshin.nasukawa in Japan on New Years Eve. I don’t know what kind of “special rules” they’re supposed to be fighting under but I just like the fact that it’s going to happen and that people get to google Tenshin’s name and see some of his fights. He’s a true striking genius. I doubt Floyd is going to agree to any rules that allow Tenshin to kick, but if he does it could be a terrible night for him. This kid is the truth. #Repost @tenshin.nasukawa ・・・ 僕に出来ることは格闘界を盛り上げることだと思います。 自分の人生の中で最大の出来事が現実になりました。 年末RIZINのリングでメイウェザーと戦うことになりました。 皆さんもビックリしていると思いますが僕もそうです。 こんなことは人生で二度とないと思います。 僕にはボクサーには無いタイミングのパンチがあります。 階級も違いますが、今の僕には関係ないです。 世界で誰も成し得なかった初めてメイウェザーをKOします。 僕は自分のこの拳で世界を変えます。 みなさん期待していてください。 #RIZIN14 #cygames #mayweather #tenshinnasukawa #チームで勝つ #平成最後 #大晦日

A post shared by Joe Rogan (@joerogan) on Nov 5, 2018 at 7:33am PST