Charles do Bronx opens up about opponents after UFC Rio announcement: 'Nobody wanted to fight in Brazil'

Charles of the Bronx upon arrival at the arena in UFC 317. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/UFC Brazil

After being announced as the main attraction of UFC Rio in a duel against Raphael Fiziev, Charles of the Bronx came out to talk a little about the behind the scenes of the negotiation and the reason for choosing the opponent in an interview with Ag. Fight last Saturday (9). According to the former Ultimate lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg), there were not many options available to face him on national soil.

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"None of them would come here to fight in Brazil... They offered me names and they didn't even want to. When you release this, these guys will tweet: 'Coward! I wanted to, he didn't.' But it's a lie... They're snooping around, talking nonsense about the other side," said the fighter.

Charles Oliveira went off on the lightweight division, including Dan Hooker

“None of them would come here to fight in Brazil… I was offered names and they didn't even want it.

When you release this, these guys will tweet 'Coward! I wanted it, he didn't want it'. But it's a… pic.twitter.com/5rc7CSOofZ

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 11, 2025

When asked about possible opponents and negotiations, he made it clear that he did not believe in the possibility of facing names better ranked than Fiziev, in addition to mentioning Dan Hooker.

Which one would face me? Topuria just beat me and is ranked first. Arman (Tsarukyan) is waiting to fight for the title; Justin gaethje said he only fights for the belt; Dustin poirier retired. (Dan Hooker) is also just talking, for a long time… a guy who talks a lot of nonsense on the internet, but when he is called, he doesn't go”, he concluded.

Charles of the Bronx was knocked out less than a month ago

Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles of the Bronx in the first round. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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The Brazilian's quick return to the octagon caught the attention of some fans. The São Paulo native was brutally knocked out by Ilia Topuria still in the first round of the main fight of UFC 317, at the end of June. He returns to action on October 11th in his first event in Brazil since 2020.