Tenshin Nasukawa responds to Conor McGregor callout, provides counter-offer

Last night, in a somewhat surprising twist, former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor called for an exhibition mixed martial arts bout with 20-year-old Japanese kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa, who was recently trounced in an exhibition boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

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.

Unsurprisingly, it did not take Tenshin Nasukawa long to respond to this lucrative suggestion from McGregor.

Speaking on Twitter on Monday morning, the Japanese fighter thanked Conor McGregor for thinking of him, but provided a few adjustments to the Irishman’s original proposal.

https://twitter.com/TeppenTenshin/status/1082300957013139458

“Dear Mr. McGregor. Thank you very much for remembering my name. I’m honored that you would even consider fighting me. 58kg [127 pounds], kickboxing rules would probably get us in the ring sometime in the near future” – Tenshin Nasukawa on Twitter.

In a followup Tweet, Nasukawa reminded that he will soon be competing in the RISE World Grand Prix, and encouraged Conor McGregor to watch his diet and wait for him.

I will fight my RISE world GP this year so please watch your diet and wait for me!#RISE#Cygames#RIZIN#kickboxing

— 那須川 天心 (@TeppenTenshin) January 7, 2019

“I will fight my RISE world GP this year so please watch your diet and wait for me!” – Tenshin Nasukawa on Twitter.

While this potential fight is very fun to think about, the obstacles hindering its fruition are seemingly endless. For starters, Conor McGregor is under contract with the UFC, and could not make 127 pounds without cutting off a leg.

Do you think that, if a deal that is favorable for both fighters can be reached, we could see McGregor and Nasukawa fight this year?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 1/7/2019.