The UFC needs to get this kid ASAP. He fights for Japan’s Rizin MMA circuit which is basically a spinoff of Pride, he’s only 19 and he’s just destroying the competition there. He’s such a star that the Rizin organization is basically living off this kids super star talent and I personally tune in just to see him fight. The kid has really fast strikes, great power, timing and amazing reflexes and he puts it all together like a seasoned pro and goes after his opponents with real aggression and mean intentions. He also has an amateur record of 99-5. Even Kyoji Horiguchi who went 5 rounds with Demitrious Johnson and is now an undefeated Rizin champion hasn’t dominated the competition there the way Tenshin has.
Ok I had to Google the name. It was a guillotine performed either standing or kneeling. I forget which.
I was involved many years ago, when Muay Thai was in its infancy here. All our champion kickboxers were getting smashed like guitars by tiny Thai boxers, it was embarrassing - eventually they manned up, went to Thailand, and learned how to actually fight. Here is Paul Briggs, after knocking out Taiei Kin in Japan, taking on a little Thai called Jomhod Kiatadisak - with predictable results.
Man just caught another Tenshin fight tonight and the guy is the closest thing to watching a real live Bruce Lee as I’ve ever seen. He blocks almost everything and his reflexes, speed and timing is amazing. He’s also durable, tough as nails, doesn’t coast on just out talenting guys and will occasionally just start brawling for the hell of it. Tonight he had his toughest fight by far against Rodtang Jitmuangnon, a Thai fighter who walked through everything Tenshin hit him with. I mean this Thai fighter was the living embodiment of Rocky Balboa and Tenshin showed real championship heart having to dig deep to get the decision. The Thai just couldn’t be hurt and you could kind of tell Tenshin was feeling this guys power. Tenshin still dominated because of superior defense, and accuracy. The fight was ruled a draw so they fought another round which Tenshin dominated like all the rest. I don’t know what those judges were watching or how they judge fights on Rizin -as I’ve seen other questionable home town decisions- but from what I saw, that fight wasn’t even close to a draw unless they give points for how well a guy can take a punch.
In most Japanese kickboxing or Thai fights, punches score quite poorly. You can punch the crap outta someone, but if they land a few decent knees and kicks or a throw, your punches are nullified. Jut watched the fight, and that Thai dude was landing more hard kicks, which is why it was a draw and went to extension. Both hard as fuck dudes.
