Charles of the Bronx He is a former UFC champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Charles of the Bronx officially challenged Islam makhachev to a rematch for the lightweight belt (up to 70,3 kg) for Fight Week, in June 2025. This Sunday (23), the Brazilian cited his trajectory of almost 15 years in the UFC and appealed to the organization's leaders to make the rematch happen.
In a video posted on his social media, Charles of the Bronx made his goal clear: to regain the UFC lightweight belt. The former champion, who holds records for most fast-track wins (20) and most performance bonuses (19) in the organization's history, addressed the request directly to president Dana White and executives Sean Shelby and Hunter Campbell.
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“In the UFC and MMA, there are a lot of people talking too much. I have a story to tell. I’ve been in the organization for almost 15 years, I’m the record holder for bonuses, submissions, and record-breaking. That’s me, you know? I want to fight at International Fight Week, and so does Makhachev,” said the fighter.
With the new challenge launched, the ball is now in the UFC's court. International Fight Week, a traditional event in Las Vegas between June and July, would be the stage for the dispute and Charles revealed that he is willing to become champion again. According to him, the rematch is 'the fight that everyone wants to see'.
“Dana, Sean, Hunter… Let’s make this happen. I really want this fight, I’m looking for this belt and I want to become champion again. I’m going to write this story once again. This is the fight everyone wants to see,” concluded the athlete, in a challenging tone.
Makhachev and Charles do Bronx almost had a rematch in the UFC
The first dispute between the two occurred in UFC 280, in October 2022, in Abu Dhabi. On that occasion, Makhachev finished the Brazilian with a katagatame in the second round. Charles later admitted that he had been provoked before the fight and did not present his 'true self' in the octagon.
The rematch, however, faced obstacles. In October 2023, a deep cut on his right eyebrow, caused by a headbutt during training, forced the Brazilian to abandon the UFC 294, marked as the second chance against Makhachev.
The incident resulted in a loss of $2 million, as revealed by Sean Shelby. The absence generated internal criticism: Dana White publicly questioned the decision to train without a face shield on the eve of the event.
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