Robert Garcia Rejects Junto Nakatani Requirement for Bam

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Garcia reacted after comments from Rudy Hernandez suggested Bam would need to go through Nakatani first, following Nakatani’s loss to Inoue at the Tokyo Dome last weekend. Garcia pointed out that Nakatani himself did not have to beat any of Inoue’s previous opponents before getting his title shot.

“So to fight Inoue, we have to earn it by beating Junto, who is Inoue’s last opponent. Which one of Inoue’s opponents did Junto beat to earn the fight?” Robert Garcia posted on X.

Robert trains the 26-year-old former two-division world champion Bam Rodriguez and has been vocal about wanting the Inoue fight directly. The matchup has become one of the biggest possible fights in the lower weight divisions after Inoue defeated Nakatani in front of a sold-out crowd in Tokyo.

Garcia also brought up Sebastian Hernandez, who many fans believed deserved a rematch with Nakatani after their close fight in December 2025. Rudy Hernandez admitted after the Inoue loss that mistakes had been made in the corner during the fight.

“And if we’re talking about being honorable and doing rematches Sebastian Hernandez would like a word. Do the honorable thing Rudy,” said Robert.

Garcia’s comments reflect frustration from Bam’s side over the idea of adding another hurdle before an Inoue fight. From his point of view, the Nakatani-Inoue fight was made without Nakatani having to clear that kind of requirement himself.

Robert Garcia questioned why Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs) would need to beat Junto Nakatani to secure a fight with Naoya Inoue. Garcia pointed out that Nakatani did not defeat any of Inoue’s previous opponents before getting his own shot. Garcia also mentioned Sebastian Hernandez, saying Nakatani’s team should honor a rematch before talking about “earning” opportunities.