"Perhaps telling of the roots of his success is Tenshin’s background of training Muay Thai and fighting in Thailand since childhood. We can see that by the age of 14, the fundamentals of the sport had already sprouted deep within him.
Four years later, the Tenshin Nasukawa that would battle Wanchalong, a legitimate Lumpinee Stadium champion, has amassed an incredible amateur record and defended an impeccable professional record of 17-0 with 13 KOs. Interestingly, many of the aforementioned bouts were in kickboxing, and we can see the impact that has had on his combinations, pacing, and timing. Nasukawa also employs techniques that classically belong to Kyokushin and his Japanese heritage, such as his hybrid teep, the karateka front kick, and the style of using a cut kick as a low kick. What makes the man so uniquely dangerous is the more recently-added elements of kickboxing, blended with his underlying comprehension of Muay Thai and how to defend against attacks. Against Wanchalong, Tenshin defended and countered almost every attack—an accomplishment made more impressive if one knows Wanchalong and his history of excellence as a Thai stadium champion."
Interesting fighter. That first speed-kicking gif doesn't do it justice because there's no meat on those kicks... watching the Youtube video though, he throws hard and fast, there.
Having said that, what weight class are we looking at here? These videos mostly look impressive because he's so fast. But he's not that fast if we're only looking at a 125'er or 115. In those weight divisions, speed doesn't distinguish you from the rest of the pack... and there's no video evidence that he knows how to play his opponent.
Sorry for the negativity. I'm interested in seeing more.
CRE, just saw your other thread with the Rizin fight. I made it sound like there's no video evidence of him fighting, that's obviously inaccurate.
It'll be fun to watch him take fights against craftier opponents. It'd also be pretty sweet to watch him fight some 135'ers... his speed and movement put him in the same class as TJ, Cody and Dom.
