Charles of the Bronx He is a former UFC champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
On the eve of UFC 317, Charles of the Bronx countered criticism from rivals to reinforce the authenticity of his career trajectory. The Brazilian, who faces Ilia Topuria for the vacant lightweight belt (up to 70,3 kg), highlighted how his humble origins and the adversities he faced since childhood shaped his mental toughness.
“Today, I have everything I have, but I haven’t changed a thing. I’m the same person training, the same guy who walks barefoot in the favela, the same guy who will fight anyone. I haven’t changed a thing. What do these guys say on the internet and what are they going to try to do? None of them will be able to touch me after everything life has brought me,” declared Charles, in an interview with 'Full Violence', when talking about attacks from other fighters.
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Born in the Vicente de Carvalho favela, Charles shared striking details of his childhood: a single room served as a kitchen and bedroom for six people, with a shared bathroom. At age 10, he was diagnosed with rheumatism in his bones and a heart murmur, conditions that kept him hospitalized for two years and almost prevented him from playing sports.
“I came from the favela, with just one room in the kitchen and one bathroom for six people. Being able to have what I have today, being able to live the life I live today is magical. Like, this isn’t for many people, right? It’s for a few people, people who dedicated themselves. When I started going to São Paulo, I would go by bus in search of a dream. I left everything here to go to São Paulo to pursue my dream of being a champion, of making history,” added the former champion.
No UFC 317, scheduled for June 28, Charles of the Bronx e Ilia Topuria compete for the belt left by Islam makhachev. The Russian, who holds the record for most saves in the category, gave up the title to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight belt in the second half of the year.
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