On New Years Eve in Tokyo, Floyd Mayweather stepped through the ropes of the RIZIN Fighting Federation ring for a boxing exhibition bout with 20-year-old kickboxing ace Tenshin Nasukawa. In an absolutely dominant performance, Mayweather put the young kickboxer down inside the first three-minute round. Now Conor McGregor wants a turn at the Japanese fighter — albeit under a different ruleset.
Speaking on Twitter on Sunday night, the Irish superstar called for a mixed martial arts exhibition bout with Tenshin Nasukawa — also in Tokyo.
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— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 7, 2019
“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.” – Conor McGregor on Twitter.
McGregor posted another Tweet almost immediately thereafter, though it’s not totally clear if it’s related to his call for a fight with Tenshin Nasukawa.
I’m the real Django no holds barred.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 7, 2019
“I’m the real Django no holds barred.” – Conor McGregor on Twitter.
Conor McGregor last fought on October 6, in the main event of the record-breaking UFC 229 pay-per-view. On that night, he attempted to reclaim the UFC lightweight title he never technically lost from reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Unfortunately for McGregor and his legions of fans, this mission did not go as planned, as he was thumped to a fourth-round submission loss by the champion.
McGregor’s next most recent fight occurred in the boxing ring, where he battled Mayweather in a crossover fight of his own. Although the Irishman put up a valiant effort in this, his debut boxing match, he was ultimately stopped by a volley of punches in the 10th round.
At present, Conor McGregor is awaiting discipline from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, having been involved in a brawl with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team after the UFC 229 main event. McGregor is expected to appear in front of the NSAC in late January. A suspension and fine both seem likely.
Whatever the case, Conor McGregor certainly seems to plan on fighting again.
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 1/6/2019.