Charles do Bronx reveals why Islam Makhachev changed divisions in the UFC: 'It's brutal'

Islam makhachev weighing in UFC 311. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC_Brasil

Charles of the Bronx will finally fight for the lightweight belt (up to 70,3kg) again. The duel with Ilia Topuria in the main fight of UFC 317, scheduled for June 28th, in Las Vegas (USA), will only be possible because the then champion, Islam makhachev, decided to abdicate the throne.

While Spanish feeds the narrative that the pound-for-pound number 1 has run away from him, Charles assures that the reason is another: the 'journey of suffering' of the weight cut. The Dagestani moved up to the welterweight category (up to 77kg.) after his 'partner' Belal Muhammad | lose the title to Jack Della Maddalena, at UFC 315. There is no fight scheduled for Islam yet.

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“I see weight loss as the reason. I’ve seen it a few times. I've been to the same event as him and I've seen his weight drop — it's brutal. I saw how exhausted he was. I think it's because he wants to be in better shape to fight, and he decided to move up in weight," he said. Charles of the Bronx in a recent interview with the channel 'MMA Hoje'.

The contender for the vacant belt left by Makhachev assessed the former champion's future in the top division. According to the Brazilian, Islam has good reasons to believe in a good performance.

“I think he’s going to be a lot stronger. He’s getting a lot better on his feet, and his ground game is incredibly strong,” Charles said.