The world of combat sports is rarely short on drama, but as 2026 kicks off, three of its most compelling figures—Israel Adesanya, Amanda Serrano, and Tyson Fury—are each at crossroads, making headlines for their career decisions, comebacks, and ongoing legacies. With shifting priorities, unexpected turns, and the ever-present lure of the spotlight, fans are left wondering what’s next for these icons.
Let’s start with Israel Adesanya, the man known as “The Stylebender.” Adesanya’s journey from kickboxing standout to UFC middleweight champion has been nothing short of spectacular. With a professional MMA record of 24-5, including 13 wins in the UFC, he’s already secured his place among the sport’s elite. His five successful title defenses cemented his reign, and his storied rivalry with Alex Pereira added another layer of intrigue. Losing his belt to Pereira at UFC 281, Adesanya reclaimed it in emphatic fashion with a knockout at UFC 287—a comeback that had fans on their feet.
But the past year has been tough. Adesanya has notched three consecutive losses, the latest a TKO defeat to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in February 2025. Since then, he’s been conspicuously absent from the octagon, prompting questions about his future. At a recent Q&A session at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA, Adesanya addressed the swirling rumors about a possible switch to boxing—a path taken by other former UFC greats like Anderson Silva and Darren Till. He was unequivocal: “For me, my career is going to end in the UFC, I believe. But never say never,” Adesanya told fans. “I always said like, nah, you’d never catch me. This is the ultimate form of fighting, which is mixed martial arts. You are using all your limbs, all your weapons. How can I now, as one of the guys in this game who’s been up there, say, ‘Oh, I’m just going to go box?’”
That’s not to say the UFC Hall of Famer hasn’t considered his options. “Everyone has a number, and I think I got to my number two months ago. I was like, you know what? It’s really high. I don’t think anyone—maybe Turki (Alalshikh) can afford it, but nah, I think Darren is just doing his thing outside the UFC so, I’m just going to finish my career at the top in the UFC.” With his 2019 interim title fight against Kelvin Gastelum recently inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing, Adesanya’s legacy is already secure. Yet, in a surprising admission, he revealed he is no longer chasing the belt, focusing instead on closing out his career on his own terms. For fans, it’s a bittersweet moment: the end of a championship era, but not the end of the fighter’s story.
While Adesanya is plotting his next chapter, Amanda Serrano is proving that retirement is often just another word in the fight game. The Puerto Rican powerhouse, a seven-weight world champion, was on the brink of hanging up her gloves before a timely partnership with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in 2021 changed everything. “Before I signed with MVP, I was going to retire,” Serrano confessed to talkSPORT.com. “Now I’m like, I thank God I didn’t retire because now this is where the fun is starting.”
Serrano’s impact on women’s boxing is undeniable. Since teaming up with MVP, her profile has soared, thanks in part to Netflix’s broadcast of her fights. “To this day, people are saying, ‘That was my first female fight that I saw, and now I’m so intrigued, I love watching female fights.’ So I did my job, I guess,” she said. From winning world titles across seven divisions to becoming the chairwoman of MVP’s women’s boxing initiatives after signing a lifetime deal in 2025, Serrano’s influence is felt both inside and outside the ring.
Her rivalry with Katie Taylor has defined the last three years of her career, with their trilogy ending 3-0 in favor of the Irish superstar. Despite the setback in her last outing, Serrano is not slowing down. On January 3, 2026, she’s set to defend her unified WBA and WBO featherweight titles at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in Puerto Rico. Originally scheduled to face Erika Cruz, Serrano’s opponent changed after Cruz was pulled due to an atypical VADA test finding. Enter Reina Tellez, a hungry challenger eager to seize the moment.
“I’m disappointed the original fight couldn’t move forward, but my priority has always been respect for the sport,” Serrano stated. “Reina Tellez is a tough opponent who’s earned this opportunity, and I am up for the challenge. Fighting at home in Puerto Rico, defending my world titles, and continuing to push women’s boxing forward under equal rules means everything to me. Saturday, January 3, is about showing the world once again what Puerto Rican fighters are made of.”
As Serrano prepares for her homecoming, the boxing world is also buzzing about the potential return of “The Gypsy King,” Tyson Fury. Fury, who retired in January 2025 after back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, has kept fans guessing with cryptic social media posts and hints at a comeback. Despite the speculation, Fury remains officially retired as of January 3, 2026. But behind the scenes, Saudi power broker Turki Alalshikh is reportedly orchestrating at least two more fights for the British heavyweight: a warm-up bout and a blockbuster showdown with Anthony Joshua, tentatively set for fall 2026.
Of course, plans are now clouded by Anthony Joshua’s recent car accident, which may delay or even derail the much-anticipated superfight. Meanwhile, footage has emerged of Fury in Thailand, engaging in light sparring and bag work. The video, showing a shirtless Fury with a visible “retirement belly,” has sparked both amusement and anticipation among fans. “His belly, which was never completely gone even when he was in fighting shape, sways hypnotically as he works away. The man has clearly been enjoying life,” one observer noted. But don’t be fooled—Fury’s striking, footwork, and movement looked sharp, suggesting he’s not far from fighting form. As the leaked 2026 fight schedule makes the rounds and Fury ramps up his training, the only thing missing is an official announcement. Will “The Gypsy King” reclaim his throne, or will retirement stick this time?
With Adesanya focused on ending his career in the UFC, Serrano defending her titles on home soil, and Fury teasing a return to the heavyweight spotlight, the world of combat sports is as unpredictable as ever. Each fighter faces a unique set of challenges and opportunities, but one thing’s for sure: fans will be watching every step, every punch, and every announcement with bated breath.
As 2026 unfolds, the stories of these three champions—one holding fast to MMA, another redefining women’s boxing, and a third possibly plotting the ultimate comeback—remind us why the fight game never fails to captivate. The next chapter is just beginning, and no one can say for sure how it’ll end.
