After the show starring Charles of the Bronx No. UFC 274, the Brazilian decided to vent about the historical controversy that preceded his fight against Justin gaethje. Exclusively to SUPER FIGHTS, the Brazilian star narrated the behind-the-scenes of the failure to cut weight, which resulted in the loss of the lightweight belt (up to 70,3kg.). The athlete explains what actually happened and described the feeling after the Ultimate decision.
See too
“It's a sad thing. I made weight on Thursday (the day before weigh-in). That is what happened. My entire team published (on social media) that we were in weight. And you wake up in the morning for the weigh-in, get there, and see that 1kg is missing. I lose, sleeping, 500g. at 700g. I was supposed to be much lower than that”, said the Brazilian.
Inserted in a true nightmare for any champion, Do Bronx talked about a change of scales. Even with the setback, the Brazilian admitted that he had done his best to fulfill his commitment and reach the 70,3kg limit required for a title fight.
“I weighed the scale (backstage) at the UFC and then saw that it had been changed. I did everything I could to cut my weight, but it was very short notice. I don't like to say much, but I was wronged. I made my weight, I didn't make mistakes with the Athletic Commission and the UFC. I think they know this, because they didn't fight with me. They know. I was at my weight, yes. But, it's part of it. They took the belt away from someone who made weight, but my story has always been one of overcoming and coming back. Now, we’re going to have to get it (the belt) again”, he explained.
With the failure, Charles ended up losing the throne of the lightweight division. Without the belt, the fighter vented about his feelings of frustration moments before one of the biggest challenges of his career.
“When I lost the belt, I just wanted to cry. It's been 11 years of the dream. Not just Charles, but thousands of people. It is complicated. If you don't make weight, that's one thing. Knowing that you did everything right, that you're right and having your belt taken away for something that isn't yours, is sad. The (Athletic) Commission did not arrive and said that the scale was wrong, as they warned other fighters”, he concluded.
The feeling of dejection, however, was not enough to divert Do Bronx from his main focus: victory. Hours after going through one of the most troubled moments of his career in the sport, the Brazilian climbed into the Octagon to face Gaethje. In the fight, the athlete put on a show and achieved a positive result with a submission in the first round.
With the triumph, Charles qualified to compete for the vacant category title. The athlete, however, still doesn't know who his opponent will be, nor when the confrontation will take place.
