Mayweather alongside Nasukawa (right) Photo: Reproduction / YouTube
After more than a year of rumors, Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather will change his ways and take a chance on a new sport. But unlike what was expected, 'Money' will not be having his first fight in the UFC. In the early hours of this Monday (05), at a press conference in Japan, Rizin announced Mayweather as its new star. He will face Tenshin Nasukawa in the organization's traditional New Year's Eve event.
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Despite the great expectation that the fight will be in MMA, the rules of the fight can be adapted for what the organization calls 'Super Challenge'.
Nasukawa is an athlete who built his career on kickboxing and is undefeated with 27 wins in 27 fights. He debuted in MMA in 2016 and remains unbeaten with four wins – all at Rizin.
In turn, Floyd Mayweather built the most successful career in boxing history. The 40-year-old fighter was a 12-time world boxing champion in five different categories. Floyd ended his career with an incredible 50 wins in 50 fights. In his last appearance, he defeated Conor McGregor in the Boxing x MMA superfight, in August last year.
The fight between Floyd Mayweather and Tenshin Nasukawa should be the main attraction of Rizin 14, an event that takes place on December 31st, at the Saitama Super Arena, a traditional stage for Japanese MMA, where several events from the extinct Pride took place.
Superfight against Khabib and rematch against McGregor fall apart
The news of the agreement with Rizin frustrates the expectations of what had been said in recent weeks. Of a possible superfight between Mayweather and Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC lightweight champion, at a big event in Russia. Another speculation that appeared in the press and was fueled by Floyd's staff would be a rematch against Conor McGregor, a rival he defeated in Boxing in his last appearance in 2017.
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