Midnight Mania! Opinion: Mayweather-Tenshin Wasn’t Fixed, Idiots

Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight Welcome to Midnight Mania!
In the wake of the Mayweather-Tenshin fight, a mindbogglingly stupid conspiracy theory is going around that the lopsided fight was so…

Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

In the wake of the Mayweather-Tenshin fight, a mindbogglingly stupid conspiracy theory is going around that the lopsided fight was somehow fixed. Never mind that the theory makes no sense from any perspective, it has been given credence by so-called analysts like Robin Black, and, more surprisingly, professional MMA fighters Rory Macdonald, Alan Jouban, and Zach Makovsky.

This claim just doesn’t square with reality. While fights in Japan have been fixed in the past, there is no motive for having Mayweather wreck Nasukawa that makes any kind of sense. It would have made sense for Mayweather to make Tenshin look good, but what could possibly be gained by Mayweather taking him apart so conclusively? It was embarrassing for one of RIZIN’s biggest stars, doing a lot of damage to his future reputation with a Western audience. Mayweather is retired, has fought at least 30 pounds heavier, and among the greatest boxers of his generation. He didn’t need Tenshin to take a dive. In an exhibition fight, there isn’t even any betting on the outcome, so that’s not a motivation either.

In conclusion, this makes no sense. Why, then, has it gotten so much steam? Robin Black’s initial, thoughtless breakdown appeared to sell a lot of people on the conspiracy, claiming that Mayweather’s punches didn’t really land. However, a close viewing shows that not only did his punch land, taking Tenshin’s equlibrium away, but the follow-up punch that Black claimed missed, connected as well. The modern iteration of Mayweather isn’t known for his power punches, but he is fighting a much smaller opponent, and clearly wasn’t too worried about return fire, letting him sit down on his blows. Tenshin’s attempts to recover his equlibrium seem to contribute to people’s incredulity as well, but that can be attributed much more simply to Tenshin not having his legs under him after Floyd rocked him.

Tenshin himself confirmed this was the case afterwards: he lost his balance after Floyd’s hook clipped him on the back of his head. Regular readers of Midnight Mania know that knockouts can look strange- when fighters get ‘put on skates’, they can look ridiculous. Remember Kevin Lee going full Bambi-legs against Edson Barboza?

Tenshin also admitted afterwards that he had underestimated Mayweather in the lead-up.

View this post on Instagram

There goes my hero, watch him as he goes. #Repost @tenshin.nasukawa (@get_repost) ??? I have worked hard with a big dream in the combat world. Karate, Kickboxing, MMA and Boxing. When I first got the offer I took it in a flash. I thought this was an opportunity of a lifetime, and although there were significant differences in accomplishments and weight classes, I felt that I must not run and take on the challenge. The days since the fight was confirmed have been enjoyable but with concerns, and I spent the time thinking about many things. At the end of the day, I got finished, but I have no regrets. I am disappointed at myself since I thought I could have done better. But I will face the facts and will continue to take on any challenge. I learned that I didn’t work hard enough to earn this opportunity, and I will use this defeat to improve myself and move forward this year. Despite all the things that happened leading up to the fight, I came to realize how truly great Mayweather was. I was the one underestimating him. I promise to make it to that level! It may take some time for me to become the man to haul the industry on my shoulders, but please continue to support me! Everybody who work to make this fight happen, thank you very much. Mr. Mayweather, thank you very much. ??????????????????????????????????MMA????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????? #Cygames #rizin14 #BOXING #teppengym #target #RISE

A post shared by Secret Moves (@secretmovesmma) on

Insomnia

In case you missed it, here’s the real main event of RIZIN 14, Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Bellator bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell.

I knew a Wing Chun guy in NYC who said his sister knocked him out with this kick

Bears are incredibly powerful creatures

I like this meme because this is an amazing image of Dana… and also because its true.

View this post on Instagram

@madnessmma

A post shared by As Shopped As It Gets (@_asaig_) on

Watch out for the Jon Jones 84.5 inch helicopter.

All those videos of Jones in his garage paid off.

Kayla Harrison is congratulated by the original Judo girl, Ronda Rousey herself

In case you missed her dominant performance:

View this post on Instagram

Kayla Smash

A post shared by BJJ SCOUT (@bjjscout) on

McGregor and one of Mayweather’s promoters had a war of words.

Oh boy

This is funny on a couple levels

Random Land

Cops with a sense of humor

This rock doesn’t even look real.

Once again- Happy New Year!

Sleep well, Maniacs! A better tomorrow is always possible. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @Vorpality