Considered one of the most feared names in the lightweight division (up to 70,3kg.), Charles of the Bronx He insisted so much that he managed to be confirmed for the most important fight of his career to date. For the UFC 256, on December 12th, the Brazilian will be placed face to face with the feared Tony Ferguson and, in an exclusive interview with SUPER LUTAS YouTube channel, analyzed the challenge that could put him in a great position for a future title fight.
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Current number six in the lightweight rankings, Charles has proven with each fight that he deserves an opportunity to face the elite fighters in the group. With seven impressive victories in a row, the athlete will now have the long-awaited chance.
Invitation to face Tony
Although he has been asking for a clash against the best in the division for some time, the invitation to face Ferguson ended up coming at the last minute. The duel was confirmed at the end of last week, and, therefore, the Brazilian will have less than a month for the duel. Charles then explained how the negotiation process went.
“I had been telling some people that I would be called up at the last minute, that I had to stay trained, focused. I was invited at the last minute to fight against the Tony Ferguson on December 12th and there is no way I can get out of a fight like that. I know it's very high. I really wanted a fight like this with plenty of time to be able to train and be 100% ready, but there's no way I can deny it, one that I've been asking for since the beginning of the year. The opportunity has arrived,” he said.
Excitement for the duel
With confirmation for the duel, Charles will have the chance to prove that he is no longer a promise in the category, but a reality. The fighter, then, did not hide his emotion at being in front of the former interim champion of the division in December.
“(Ferguson) needs no comments. It's a phenomenon. A very tough guy. It was everything I wanted most, what I wanted to hear from the UFC, to get a contract for me, that he is a guy who will test me, show everything that I have been improving”, celebrated the Brazilian.
Analysis of the confrontation
Even in a prominent position in the category and in the best phase of his career, Do Bronx understands that there is little care when it comes to 'Bicho Papão'. Known for his versatility in the octagon, the North American has haunted the category for years and the São Paulo native analyzed what he needs to do to avoid being surprised.
“Tony is a difficult guy to fight. Out of nowhere, he stands up and throws himself at your legs. You're trading with him, he throws the spinning elbow. He is very difficult to tire, he moves forward all the time, beating. The concern I have is this volume, of it hitting and getting into the legs. A fight is a fight, but I think I'll do better in the grappling part, in jiu-jitsu. Of course I have to be smart. He gets a lot of hand triangles, a lot of guillotines. He's a smart, roguish guy. (…) I'm going to shock the world, I'm going to fight in a way I've never fought, conscious, concentrated, focused, implementing the strategy we've put together. I want to make it happen”, he concluded.
On the 12th, if they emerge victorious, Charles will finally reach the top-5 of the category and should take third place, which today belongs to Ferguson. In addition to his great professional achievement and getting closer than ever to a fight for the title, Do Bronx will confirm his good phase, with eight positive results in a row.
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