Closer than ever to realizing a dream, Charles of the Bronx There are plenty of reasons to celebrate. Confirmed as an opponent of Michael chandler in the fight for the vacant lightweight title (up to 70,3kg), the Brazilian narrated the moment he learned the information that he will fight for the belt. In an exclusive interview with the SUPER LUTAS YouTube channel, the São Paulo native spoke about the situation.
See too
For almost 11 years in Ultimate, Do Bronx is experiencing his best moment within the company. With eight consecutive victories, the Brazilian won the right to act for the throne of the category after a dominant performance over the feared Tony Ferguson, in December 2020. Around four months later, the Brazilian had his efforts recognized.
From the Bronx narrates historic moment
Current number three in the ranking, which is still led by Khabib Nurmagomedov – retired since October -, Charles remained firm in the position that he would only return to the octagon for a title fight. The Brazilian then spoke about the moment when the news of the 'dream fight' arrived.
“My manager was negotiating very hard for a title fight, but we had nothing. I had gone to the farm on Thursday (18) afternoon. There is no phone signal there. (…) The only phone that gets a signal is my father’s. (…) For my managers to contact me, either something happened or they scheduled a fight. Right away, I got in the car and came to the city. When I got there, imagine the phone (with so many messages). I started crying, my father too. It was sensational”, said the athlete.
Difficulties in life
Close to a historic moment for Brazil, Do Bronx always makes a point of remembering its origins. Having a difficult childhood, the athlete became emotional when talking about the difficulties he went through until he reached the top of the MMA world, where he could assume the position left by a legend in the sport.
“Anyone who really knows me knows everything I've been through. (…) When I was nine to 11 years old, I was hospitalized for two years. I had rheumatism in my bones and a heart murmur. My mother worked as a cleaner at the school, my father at the fair. (…) I've always been a dreamy 'kid'. I started taking benzetacil every 15 days. (…) The doctor told my mother that I would be a different child, that sports, for him, were impossible. (…) I didn’t have a child’s life. (…) I stopped taking injections and then I started jiu-jitsu and, a month later, I went to the doctor again and, when I sat down, threw the medal, he asked what that was and my father said: 'he's São Paulo jiu-jitsu champion'. (…) Years later, I can be the UFC champion”, he said.
'Confusion' in lightweight
Standing out in the lightweight division, Do Bronx, today, is among the big names in one of the organization's most competitive divisions. In front of a star-studded scenario, the Brazilian answered whether he ever feared losing one of the spots for the belt. Honestly, Charles didn't evade the question.
“When I joined the UFC, I said: 'I'm a boy among lions'. Today, I feel like a lion among lions. In my journey, it will be 11 years. Ups and downs, successes and mistakes. Everything you do in life, if you don't learn, you end up being left behind. (…) I was number seven, I wanted to fight against the top 5 and the guys didn't even say my name. (…) I learned from that. (After I beat Ferguson), I said that the fight that should be done was against Dustin poirier by the belt. When a certain moment came, I saw that Dustin was focusing a lot on the fight against Conor (McGregor), because of the money, I asked for the Dustin poirier or any other guy for that matter. The fight was coming out Justin gaethje e Michael chandler. I congratulated him, but what matters to me is the belt. Fans sent me messages saying that I was being left behind. (…) I've been in the UFC for 11 years and I see the fight the same way. They want to see a show, put me to fight. If I lose, I will lose in the war, if I win, I will win in the war. There is no middle ground. I'm not going to keep talking about it happening. Today, we will fight for the belt. (…) If we don't have a strong name within (the UFC), there's no way to deny things. You have to accept what they tell you”, he concluded.
In Ultimate since August 2010, the title commitment will mark the Brazilian's first title fight in Ultimate. Today, at 31 years old, Do Bronx has 39 appearances as a professional in MMA. The São Paulo native has 30 wins, eight losses and one 'no result' fight.
Newcomer to Ultimate, Michael chandler got a title clash after his gala debut against Dan Hooker. Bellator legend, the American ran over his rival in the UFC 257 and assumed a prominent position in the lightweight division.
Comments