Charles comments on the controversy involving Poatan and reflects on refereeing in the UFC.

Charles at a UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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The controversy surrounding the illegal blows suffered by Alex Poatán No. UFC White HouseThe incident in Washington DC continues to resonate among MMA athletes and personalities. This time, the person who spoke out on the matter was... Charles of the BronxThe former UFC lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg) compared the situation experienced by his compatriot to a significant episode in his own career and reflected on the impact that refereeing decisions can have on a fighter's fate.

When commenting on the case in an interview with Laerte Viana's YouTube channel, Charles recalled his second victory over Chandler in... UFC 309In November 2024, the athlete from São Paulo overcame difficult moments before achieving victory by unanimous decision, and used the experience to illustrate how details can completely change an athlete's trajectory.

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“I had a knee injury. I came with a strategy under my arm. In the last round, it wasn't a punch, it was a finger poke in the eye. He gave me several blows to the back of the neck. If the referee had stopped it and given the victory to me…” Michael chandler"Would everything that happened from then until now have happened? Would I have been fighting for the belt? We don't know. Thank God I kept moving. In Poatan's case, he didn't have the opportunity," revealed the former champion.

The statement reinforces one of the main criticisms made by the MMA community, following the UFC White HouseThe discussion isn't necessarily about stating that Alex would have won the fight, but rather about questioning whether the Brazilian had the chance to demonstrate that he could still compete.

Despite this, Charles was keen to emphasize that the episode does not change his view of Herb Dean. Considered one of the most respected referees in the history of the sport, the American continues to have the confidence of the 'Floughed Lion'. Asked if he would accept having him as a referee for one of his fights again, the Brazilian did not hesitate in his answer.

“Herb Dean is a giant of a guy. He’s refereed several of my fights. If you asked me if I would accept him refereeing one of my fights, I would definitely say yes. He has always done great things in the sport and I have no reason to say no,” said the São Paulo native.

Even while acknowledging the controversy surrounding the Brazilian double champion, Charles of the Bronx He argued that one incident does not erase the career built over decades in professional MMA. For the former champion, the debate about refereeing is valid, but it should be separated from the legacy of one of the sport's most experienced officials.

Illegal coups sparked debate after Poatan's defeat.

Poatan injured after being knocked out by Gane in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC

O controversial moment It happened after the Frenchman landed a jab that knocked the Brazilian down. With Poatan trying to defend himself on the ground, Gane advanced to deliver ground and pound strikes until the referee stopped the fight.

After the fight, videos and images of the aftermath began circulating on social media, fueling questions about the legality of some of the elbow strikes thrown by the former interim heavyweight champion. Some fans pointed out that certain attacks may have hit the back of Poatan's head, a protected area under the Unified Rules of MMA adopted by the UFC and the main athletic commissions in the United States.