Photo via @Beyond_Kick on Twitter
Tenshin calls out ONE Championship’s Rodtang for final kickboxing bout
Tenshin vs Rodtang II may be in motion for 2022.
As he aims to transition full-time to Boxing, Tenshin Nasukawa’s sendoff kickboxing fight date has been locked in. The announcement came via the official RISE Twitter account.
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💥#Cygames presents #RISE_ELDRD 2022〜Tenshin Nasukawa Final Match〜
🥊開催決定‼️
＼2022年4月2日(土)国立代々木競技場・第一体育館にて、「那須川天心Final Match」を行うことが決定しました🔥
詳細は追ってお知らせいたします💁♂️📅4月2日(土)
🏟国立代々木競技場・第一体育館 pic.twitter.com/YjfHVOVR0C— RISE OFFICIAL (@RISE_2003) November 14, 2021
The kickboxing swan song is set to kick off the second quarter of the new year. April 2nd, 2022 is the targeted date, and Yoyogi National Stadium, Daiichi Gymnasium in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan is the outlined location.
But an opponent has yet to be named for Nasukawa. Per Beyond Kickboxing on Twitter, Tenshin Nasukawa stated, “My final opponent is not decided yet, but if possible I want to face Rodtang.”
Tenshin vs Rodtang II
Tenshin and Rodtang initially fought at RISE 125 in June 2018.
The blistering bout went the distance with Tenshin getting the nod to the surprise of many. That includes the fan and pundits watching as well as the combatants themselves.
The two have bantered intermittently since their first bout with Rodtang calling out Tenshin relatively recently to run it back at Rizin 28 in June 2021.
The largest obstacle in booking this rematch obviously lies in the two being aligned with separate promotions in the years since they fought. Tenshin has competed with Rizin and RISE a fair bit while Rodtang has competed under the ONE Championship banner in multiple combat disciplines.
ONE Championship figurehead Chatri Sityodtong has teased wanting to sign Tenshin in the past. As a means to book that intriguing sequel bout against Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
Alas, pen was never put to paper and we never saw that crossover between organizations for the Japanese warrior.
Tenshin is the RISE featherweight world champion and has collected gold at 125 pounds under the ISKA banner as well. Rodtang is a titleholder on the ONE Super Series circuit as he is ONE Championship’s flyweight titleholder in Muay Thai.
How would you feel about a possible Rodtang versus Tenshin rematch in the latter’s last kickboxing contest?
