One of the main Brazilian hopes in the lightweight (up to 70,3kg) of Ultimate, Charles of the Bronx He is about to face the main fight of his career so far. This Saturday (12), at UFC 256, the São Paulo native will exchange forces against the feared Tony Ferguson and a victory could change the Tupiniquim's life. In an exclusive interview with Super Fights YouTube channel, the athlete spoke about the future after this Saturday's card and outlined his opinion on the retirement of the current division champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
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“We are talking about the UFC, anything can happen. But it's all very well designed: Charles Oliveira (From the Bronx) against Tony Ferguson, Dustin poirier e Conor McGregor (face off on January 23rd). If I win this fight – I'm sure I will win – I'm already the next challenger for the belt, and then I'll be waiting for McGregor and Poirier. I don’t think there’s much to do,” said the Brazilian.
Although he is certain about the future after this weekend's event, the Brazilian's dreams come up against the doubt about the retirement of the current group champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Absolute leader of the division, the Russian hung up his gloves in October and promised, still in the octagon, that he would not perform professionally again. Ultimate's president, Dana White, however, has been optimistic about the legend's return. Analyzing the situation, Charles thought about the case.
“I think Khabib is a very family guy. As he said, he swore on the grave of his father (Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who died in July, victim of Covid-19) that he will no longer fight. I think the guy actually retired. It's sad to say that a guy like that retired, a phenomenon, but he's part of it”, he concluded.
This Saturday, against Ferguson, Charles will have the opportunity to enter the top 5 of the category once and for all, in case of victory. The Brazilian will also extend his undefeated streak in Ultimate to eight victories.
Tony, in turn, tries to recover from the tough defeat he suffered against Justin gaethje, in May, at UFC 249. The athlete, at the time, had a sequence of 12 positive results interrupted.
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