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IS RETIREMENT CLOSE: WHY NAOYA INOUE SAYS HE "ABSOLUTELY CAN’T AFFORD TO LOSE

Naoya Inoue defends his undisputed crown against David Picasso in Saudi Arabia. Discover why "The Monster" is weighing retirement.

Is Retirement Close: Why Naoya Inoue Says He "Absolutely Can’t Afford To Lose
Naoya Inoue Hints At Retirement

Naoya Inoue is thinking about retirement with Junto Nakatani on the horizon: ‘I absolutely can't afford to lose.’

You can't beat time.

Inoue is 32, and he's already hinting that age might be catching up to him. He's getting set for his Saturday fight against David Picasso in Saudi Arabia, headlining The Ring V: Night of the Samurai on DAZN PPV.

Inoue (31-0, 27 KOs) is still at his best. He's the undisputed junior featherweight champ and one of the best fighters around.

“The Monster” knows he's not going to last forever, just like everyone else. There's also a chance that Nakatani could take his spot if he beats Picasso. They might fight next May.

“I absolutely can't afford to lose,” Inoue said on DAZN's On The Ground series.

“I'm motivated by my position in the division. I've done well. Now that I'm 32, I'm thinking about when I'll retire.

“Because Junto Nakatani is on the same card, fans are already looking forward to our fight next year. So I need to show them I'm still great. We both need to win.”

Nakatani (31-0, 24 KOs), who has won titles in three divisions, is making his 122-pound debut in the co-main event against Sebastian Hernandez.

Nakatani, 27, is seen as the next big thing after Inoue.

Inoue has won titles in four weight classes, starting at 108 pounds. He's been at 122 for over two years. He's 7-0 in that class and has defended his undisputed title five times, most recently against Murodjon Akhmadaliev in September.

That win against Akhmadaliev was only the fourth time in Inoue’s 13-year career that he heard the final bell. Before the Akhmadaliev fight, he was knocked down twice in four fights. People started wondering about his chin and whether he could take punches as he moved up in weight.

As the talk gets louder, Inoue’s father and trainer, Shingo, is talking about retirement too as they get ready for Picasso (32-0-1, 17 KOs).

“He’s not young anymore,” Shingo said. “I don't think he has much time left. I hope he can fight with everything he has in his remaining fights. If he does that, he'll get the results he wants.”

Inoue is fighting for the fourth time this year. From 2021 to 2024, he fought twice each year. But Inoue has said he'll probably only fight twice in 2026, and he's not as interested in moving to 126 pounds since Nakatani is waiting for him.

“I’m not heavy enough for featherweight yet, and I still have some physical concerns,” Inoue said. “I'm both nervous and excited about that, so I want to try it.

“As long as I'm still great, I'll be proud. But if I'm not satisfied, if I don't feel that way anymore, that’s when I'll start to get worse as a fighter.

“Once you stop pushing yourself, it's over.”

THE EIGHT-FIGURE GAMBLE: CONOR BENN SIGNS A MASSIVE ONE-FIGHT DEAL WITH ZUFFA BOXING

Conor Benn joins Zuffa Boxing! Discover why he left Eddie Hearn, the details of his 8-figure deal, and Dana White's global plans.

top-news
Conor Benn officially joins Zuffa Boxing after a decade with Eddie Hearn

Zuffa Boxing just landed one of the top welterweights out there, Conor Benn. The up-and-coming promotion announced Benn’s signing, adding even more star power to its growing roster.

Benn, 29, is riding high after a huge win over Chris Eubank Jr last November, finally getting his revenge after Eubank handed him his first-ever loss just seven months before. Right now, Benn stands at 24-1, with 14 knockouts. He’s held the WBA Continental Europe Welterweight title, too. There’s no date or opponent set for his Zuffa debut yet, but this is a big move for Dana White and his crew, who are serious about building a roster packed with champions and big names.

“I’m filled with excitement and hunger for what’s ahead with Zuffa Boxing,” Benn said in a press release. “I want the legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages. I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”

Dana White is just as fired up. “Conor Benn is an absolute beast and a superstar,” he said. “He shows up every time and destroys people, and now some of the best fighters in the world are calling him out. He’s ready for a world title next, and I can’t wait to see him compete in Zuffa Boxing. He’s going to be a huge addition to a growing stable of very talented boxers.”

Sports Illustrated reports that Benn’s contract is a one-fight, eight-figure deal, though neither White nor Benn has confirmed that.

This move also heats the ongoing rivalry between Dana White and Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn. Benn had been with Hearn ever since he turned pro in 2016, but now he’s switched sides. Earlier this year, White and his team also grabbed IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia, another former Hearn fighter.

Lately, Hearn and White have been trading shots in the media, which is wild considering they used to get along before White jumped into boxing. With two big signings already in the bag, Zuffa is out to prove it means business. And you just know they’re not stopping here.

CRIS CYBORG EYES HISTORY: MMA LEGEND SET FOR WIBA WORLD TITLE BOXING MATCH ON MARCH 28

Cris Cyborg makes history! Discover how she plans to hold MMA and boxing world titles simultaneously on March 28 in Brazil.

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Cris Cyborg confirms 2026 will be her final year in professional fighting

Cris Cyborg is about to chase a slice of history on March 28.

Since leaving the UFC back in 2019, the former featherweight champ hasn’t slowed down one bit. She grabbed the Bellator 145-pound title, then picked up another belt in the Professional Fighters League. It’s like every time she shows up somewhere new, she leaves with gold.

Now, in 2026, Cyborg says she’s on her retirement tour. But she’s not just coasting to the finish line; she’s still looking to add something big to her legacy. This time, she’s stepping into a boxing ring, not an MMA cage.

It’s been a while since Cyborg lost a fight. That was back at UFC 232 against Amanda Nunes. Since then? She’s rattled off nine straight wins in MMA, but that’s only half the story. She started boxing in 2022, and she hasn’t lost there either: seven wins, no defeats.

On March 28, Cyborg gets her biggest boxing test yet. She’ll fight Paulina Cardona for the WIBA super welterweight belt. Winning would make her the first fighter ever to hold world titles in both MMA and boxing at the same time. Big names like Amanda Serrano and Holly Holm have held this belt before, so it’s not just any title.

Journalist James Lynch broke the news online and pointed out just how rare this accomplishment would be. If Cyborg pulls it off, she’ll stamp her name in the record books, plain and simple.

Let’s talk about her opponent. Cardona’s been in the ring a lot – 68 pro fights, to be exact – but her record isn’t exactly stellar. She’s 27-34-7, has been knocked out 15 times, and has only managed two wins in her last 14 outings. So, yeah, Cyborg’s the clear favourite here, and people are already raising eyebrows about the level of competition she’s been facing in boxing.

Still, history’s on the line in Curitiba, Brazil. All eyes are on Cyborg to see if she can pull off something no one else has done before. 

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