Charles in photo by Carlos Ozório

Against Nik Lentz, Charles do Bronx brought his win tally in MMA to eight. At least for now, since the fight this Sunday at UFC on Versus 4 may get its outcome overturned. This is because, just before sinking the fight-ending choke hold, Charles landed a knee to the face of his opponent who had three limbs touching the ground. Regardless of what the Athletic Commission decides, Bronx and his coach Ericson Cardozo explain the case and do not agree that a no contest should be declared.

“We’ll find out about the commission decision later or tomorrow. There was an illegal knee, but the ref didn’t see it. He could have stopped the fight and discounted a point from Charles, but he let it continue. So the ref is the one who made the mistake. I don’t feel it would be fair to change the result,” opines Ericson.

“You know me, I didn’t do it out of meanness. It happened in the heat of the fight and I asked forgiveness from him and everyone. I feel what determined the fight was the rear-naked choke, I didn’t knock him out with the knee. He kept coming at my leg and I managed to finish. Now I’m waiting on the decision,” Charles told GRACIEMAG.com, before emphasizing that the knee didn’t facilitate his winning.

“Like I said, the knee was not decisive. It caught him in the eye and he kept coming at my legs.”

On the fight:

“In the first round I’d gotten a knockdown on him; he was really tired and I was fine. I trained hard for this fight to recover from my last loss, and unfortunately this happened,” he said in closing.

Charles em foto de Carlos Ozório

Na luta contra Nik Lentz, Charles do Bronx alcançou a oitava finalização no MMA. Pelo menos até agora, pois a luta, no UFC on Versus 4, neste domingo, pode ter o resultado modificado. Isso porque, pouco antes de finalizar, Charles acertou uma joelhada ilegal no oponente, que estava com três apoios no chão. Independentemente da decisão da Comissão Atlética, Bronx e o treinador Ericson Cardozo explicam o caso e não concordam com a opção de no contest.

“Deveremos saber a resolução da comissão mais tarde no quarto ou apenas amanhã de manhã. Houve a joelhada ilegal, mas o juiz não viu. Ele poderia ter parado a luta e tirado um ponto do Charles, mas ele continuou. Então o erro foi do juiz. Não acredito e nem acho que seria justo uma mudança de resultado”, opina Ericson.

“Você me conhece, não fiz por maldade. Aconteceu no calor da luta e já pedi desculpas a ele e a todos. Acho que o que definiu foi o mata-leão, eu não nocauteei ele com a joelhada. Ele continuou vindo na minha perna e eu consegui finalizar, agora aguardo a decisão”, diz Charles ao GRACIEMAG.com, antes de reforçar que a joelhada não teria facilitado seu caminho para o triunfo.

“Como disse, a joelhada não foi definitiva. O golpe acertou no olho dele e ele continuou vindo nas minhas pernas.”

Sobre a luta:

“No primeiro round já havia dado um knockdown nele, ele estava bem cansado e eu muito bem. Treinei muito para este combate, para me recuperar da última derrota, e infelizmente aconteceu isso”, encerra.

Charles submits Darren Elkins on his UFC debut. Photo: Josh Hedges.

A recent revelation in the world MMA picture, Charles do Bronx awaits a berth at UFC Rio. And he has good reason to believe his time may come, seeing as there are new matchups in the works.

“I still don’t know who the opponent will be or at what event, but I’m really hopeful it will be at UFC Rio. Nothing’s set in stone, but I’m training. I can’t say I deserve it more than the others, but at this moment it’s the dream of all Brazilian fighters, and I want it too,” he tells GRACIEMAG.com.

“There are matchups in the works, and they’re telling me to be in shape. Whenever they say, ‘Kid, it’s you,’ I’ll be ready.

Charles’s last fight – his third in the UFC – brought an end to his unbeaten record, having lost to Jim Miller. The fighter guarantees he is more mature now, since his first setback.

“I was riding a 17-fight winning streak and thought I was learning more with each win. Truth is – I learned much more from this loss. I saw how we’re not invincible and that we have to train more to become even better with each day. We have to learn, whether it’s from someone older, younger, black belt, white belt. . . We never know everything, and that’s how we manage to get better. To be the best, you have to train a lot.”

With the introduction of the featherweight division to the UFC, Charles would be able to drop a weight class. However, what the fighter says he wants is the lightweight belt. He doesn’t think it will be easy, but he has found inspiration in another young fighter to do it: light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

“I feel my division is really this one. I’ll leave it in the hands of my coaches, Ericson and Macaco, but I like fighting at 70 kg. Jon Jones managed to become champion at 23, and I am now 21. I’m still young compared to the rest of the guys in the division and I have much to learn, but I still have a lot to show in the UFC,” he says in closing.

Charles finaliza Darren Elkins na estreia no UFC. Foto: Josh Hedges.

Uma das grandes revelações do MMA mundial, Charles do Bronx segue na espera por uma vaga no UFC Rio. E o lutador tem motivos para acreditar que o sonho é possível, já que vem luta nova por aí.

“Ainda não sei qual vai ser o adversário e nem em qual show vai ser, mas estou com muita expectativa de ser no UFC Rio. Não tem nada certo, mas estou treinando. Não digo que mereço mais que os outros, mas, no momento, esse é o sonho de todos os lutadores brasileiros, e eu quero também”, comenta ao GRACIEMAG.com.

“Tem luta vindo por aí, e disseram para eu estar treinado. É só a hora de eles falarem: ‘moleque, é você’, estarei pronto.

No último combate, a terceira apresentação no UFC, Charles acabou perdendo a invencibilidade contra Jim Miller. O lutador garante estar mais maduro após o primeiro revés.

“Estava numa série de 17 triunfos e pensava que a cada vitória aprendia mais. Na verdade, aprendi muito mais com essa derrota. Vi que não somos invencíveis e que a cada dia temos que treinar e nos aprimorar mais. Temos que aprender, seja com o mais velho, mais novo, faixa-preta, faixa-branca… Nunca sabemos tudo e assim conseguimos ser melhores. Para ser o melhor, tem que treinar muito.”

Com a introdução da categoria pena no UFC, Charles teria condições de descer de peso. No entanto, o lutador quer mesmo o cinturão no peso leve. Não considera uma missão fácil, mas, para isso, se inspira em outro jovem lutador, o campeão meio-pesado Jon Jones.

“Acho que a minha categoria é essa mesmo. Deixo isso na mão dos meus preparadores Ericson e Macaco, mas gosto de lutar no 70kg. O Jon Jones conseguiu ser campeão aos 23 anos, e hoje tenho 21. Ainda sou um moleque no meio do pessoal da categoria e tenho muito o que aprender, mas também tenho ainda muito o que mostrar no Ultimate”, encerra.

Ericson (E) em ação no Gladiator by Spank. Foto: Arquivo Pessoal.

Equipe comandada por Ericson Cardozo, que conta com feras como o lutador do UFC Charles do Bronx, a Bronx’s Gold Team começou bem o ano de 2011. Nesta segunda-feira aconteceu, no Guarujá (SP), o Gladiator by Spank, e o time foi bem.

“Entramos com sete atletas e vencemos em todas as lutas”, conta Ericson.

“No submission, meu aluno Francisco Junior venceu por pontos Matheus Ribeiro (ACJJ), já eu venci o Marcos Pezão (Barbosa Jiu Jitsu) na decisão do árbitro. No boxe, o Emerson Naja (Naja Combat Team – Bronx’s) venceu o Junior Pinico (Top Team Master – Ivo Team) por decisão unânime. No muay thai, o Willian Santos (Naja Combat Team – Bronx’s) venceu o Iuri Carvalho da Silva (Terrier Fighter Team) por nocaute”, fala Ericson.

O treinador ainda festejou as vitórias de Alex da Silva (Naja Combat Team – Bronx’s) sobre Marcos Mugin (Top Team Master – Ivo Team) por nocaute e, no MMA, as de Junior Maranhão sobre Danilo Crocota (Top Team Master – Ivo Team), por nocaute, e Marcio Nunes (Bronx’s Gold Team) sobre Arlindo “AR15” (Top Team Master – Ivo Team) por decisão unânime.

Ericson (L) in action at Gladiator by Spank / Foto: Personal archive

Under the command of Ericson Cardozo, with fighters like the UFC’s Charles do Bronx in its ranks, Bronx’s Gold Team had a good start to 2011. The team had a fine showing at the Gladiator by Spank event held this Monday in Guarujá, São Paulo state.

“We took eight fighters and they all won,” recounts Ericson.

“In submission grappling, my student Francisco Junior beat Matheus Ribeiro (ACJJ) on points, while I beat Marcos Pezão (Barbosa Jiu-Jitsu) by referee decision. In boxing, Emerson Naja (Naja Combat Team – Bronx’s) beat Junior Pinico (Top Team Master – Ivo Team) via unanimous decision. In muay thai, Willian Santos (Naja Combat Team – Bronx’s) knocked out Iuri Carvalho da Silva (Terrier Fighter Team) by knockout,” says Ericson.

The trainer also celebrated the wins of Alex da Silva (Naja Combat Team – Bronx’s) over Marcos Mugin (Top Team Master – Ivo Team) via knockout and, in MMA, those of Junior Maranhão over Danilo Crocota (Top Team Master – Ivo Team), via knockout, and Marcio Nunes (Bronx’s Gold Team) over Arlindo “AR15” (Top Team Master – Ivo Team) via unanimous decision.

Atletas reunidos na pesagem do evento. Foto: Divilgação.

Segunda-feira é dia de luta no Guarujá, no litoral de São Paulo. Acontece no Clube Guaibe, a partir das 19h, o Brazil Gladiator by Spank. A pesagem aconteceu neste domingo, na academia Bronx’s Gold Team, como contra Ericson Cardozo.

“Além da presença do lutador do UFC Charles do Bronx, teremos o Emerson Naja numa luta de boxe, combates de submission, em que eu vou enfrentar o Marcos Pezão, lutas de muay thai e MMA. Vai ser bem bacana”, comenta o treinador.

Confira o card:

Brazil Gladiator by Spank
Clube Guaíbe, Guarujá, São Paulo
Segunda-feira, 3 de janeiro de 2011

Boxe
Emerson Naja ( Naja Combat Team – Bronx’s ) x Junior Pinico ( Top Team Master – Ivo Team )

Submission
Francisco Junior ( Bronx’s Gold Team ) x Matheus Ribeiro ( ACJJ )
Ericson Cardozo (Bronx’s Gold Team) x Marcos Pezão (Barbosa Jiu Jitsu)

Muay Thai
Willian Santos (Naja Combat Team – Bronx’s) x Iuri Carvalho da Silva (Terrier Fighter Team)
Marcos Mugin (Top Team Master – Ivo Team) x Alex da Silva (Naja Combat Team – Bronx’s)
Ariane Daniele (Fenix Rock Team x Barbara Gracie (Top Team Master – Ivo Team)

MMA
Danilo Crocota (Top Team Master – Ivo Team) x Junior Maranhão (Bronx’s Gold Team)
Sergio Soares (Gracie Fusion) x Atila Oliveira (Top Team Master – Ivo Team)
Mauro Xuxa (CheckMat) x Anderson Pitbull (Top Team Master – Ivo Team)
Marcio Nunes (Bronx’s Gold Team) x Arlindo “AR15” (Top Team Master – Ivo Team)
Jorge Michelan (CheckMat) x Julio Cesar “Mão de Pedra” (Iglesias Team)

Charles do Bronx, Ericson and Cosmo Alexandre

Charles do Bronx never stops. The Jiu-Jitsu brown belt made his UFC debut on August 1. After submitting Darren Elkins with an armbar in just forty-one seconds, he was called on to face TUF champion Efrain Escudero on September 15. Following his choke submission of Escudero, Charles was called on yet again. The Bronx’s Gold Team fighter will have his third fight in less than six months, against Jim Miller at UFC 124 in Montreal, Canada.

“The UFC really pushed for this fight; we received the offer through Macaco (Jorge Patino) and we accepted. We still need to sign the bout agreement, but if it’s up to us, it’s more than confirmed,” says trainer Ericson Cardozo.

Charles submits Darren Elkins on his UFC debut. Photo: Josh Hedges

On having so many fights over such a short period of time, Ericson is positive and brings up the days of Pride.

“I compare it to the days of Pride. The fighter would appear many times during a period of two months or less. I feel it’s good, because the fighter keeps in fight rhythm. I believe Fedor (Emelianenko) felt that a lot when he went to fight in the United States. Charles loves to train. After his fights he rests a few days and gets right back to training. He agreed to the fight right away, so we’ll go for it. I can only thank God for everything that is happening,” says Ericson in closing.

Jim Miller, Bronx’s next opponent, is coming off a five-fight win streak in the UFC, the last against Gleison Tibau.

Stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com for more on the UFC.

Jim Miller, o próximo oponente, vem numa série de cinco vitórias no Ultimate, a última contra Gleison Tibau.

Fique ligado no GRACIEMAG.com para saber mais sobre o UFC.

Charles do Bronx, Ericson e Cosmo Alexandre

Charles do Bronx não para. O faixa-marrom de Jiu-Jitsu estreou no UFC no dia 1º de agosto. Depois de finalizar Darren Elkins com um armlock em apenas 41s, foi escalado para encarar o campeão do TUF Efrain Escudero, no dia 15 de setembro. Após mais uma finalização, com um mata-leão, Charles já foi convocado novamente. A fera da Bronx’s Gold Team faz a terceira luta em menos de seis meses contra Jim Miller, no UFC 124, em Montreal, Canadá.

“Realmente o UFC pediu muito por essa luta, recebemos a proposta através do Macaco (Jorge Patino) e aceitamos. Ainda falta assinarmos o contrato, mas, no que depender da gente, está confirmadíssimo”, diz o treinador Ericson Cardozo.

Charles finaliza Darren Elkins na estreia no UFC. Foto: Josh Hedges

Sobre as lutas num curto espaço de tempo, Ericson acha positivo e lembra dos tempos do Pride.

“Comparo à época do Pride. Os lutadores se apresentavam muitas vezes num espaço de dois meses ou menos. Acho bom, porque o lutador fica no ritmo de luta. Acredito que o Fedor (Emelianenko) sentiu muito isso quando passou a lutar nos Estados Unidos. O Charles adora treinar. Depois das lutas, ele descansa poucos dias e já quer voltar a treinar. Ele topou a luta na hora, está muito bem, e vamos nessa. Só tenho a agradecer a Deus por tudo o que está acontecendo”, encerra Ericson.

Jim Miller, o próximo oponente, vem numa série de cinco vitórias no Ultimate, a última contra Gleison Tibau.

Fique ligado no GRACIEMAG.com para saber mais sobre o UFC.

Galera da Bronx's

Depois da vitória de Charles do Bronx no UFN 22,no dia 15 de setembro, quatro atletas da Bronx’s Gold Team lutam neste sábado no evento Fighters 98. Rafael Nunes, Junior Oliveira e Junior Maranhão estrearão no MMA, enquanto Rafael Costa faz a luta de Jiu-Jitsu juvenil do evento. São alguns dos novos talentos do time. 

“Estou feliz com a vitória do Charles e  já voltamos ao trabalho. Os meninos lutam neste fim de semana no Fighters 98 e logo depois tenho dois atletas da filial do Maranhão, do meu faixa-preta Rodrigo Granola, que lutam no começo de outubro. O Marcio lutar no Brasil Fight 3, no desafio Minas x São Paulo, e estou fechando lutas no Predador FC e Impacto Total. Tenho muitos atletas bons e vamos mostrar nossos novos talentos”, comenta o treinador Ericson Cardozo.

Ganga at Bronx's

Following Charles do Bronx’s September 15 win at UFC 22, four more fighters from Bronx’s Gold Team’s stable fight this Saturday at the Fighters 98 event. The team’s up-and-coming talent Rafael Nunes, Junior Oliveira and Junior Maranhão will be making their MMA debuts, while Rafael Costa will have a juvenile Jiu-Jitsu match at the event.

“I’m overjoyed with Charles’s win and we’re already back at work. The kids will fight this weekend at Fighters 98, and soon thereafter there will be two more fighters from our branch in Maranhão, run by my black belt Rodrigo Granola, who will fight in early October. Marcio will fight at Brasil Fight 3, at the Minas vs. São Paulo challenge, and I’m setting up fights at the Predador FC and Impacto Total events. I have a lot of really good athletes and we’re going to showcase the new talent,” stated trainer Ericson Cardozo.

Charles in photo by Carlos Ozório

Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira made it to the 14^th win of his career at UFN 22, surprising favored-to-win winner of the “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show Efrain Escudero. The undefeated fighter took home his second submission-of-the-night bonus check, in two fights in the promotion, to boot. The beast from coastal São Paulo state, an Ericson Cardozo brown belt, had the following chat with GRACIEMAG.com:

Bronx submits Escudero. Photo: Josh Hedges

In your fights, you always seem calm and look to push the pace from the get go. Do you not feel any pressure when you’re in there?

One always gets nervous. My posture has to do with the work of the team, which makes me more confident. In the cage it’s just me, the opponent and the judge. My trainers, Ericson and Macaco (Jorge Patino) always help me stay calm. I go in always focused on what I need to do, with our game plan in mind, and it works out.

A lot of MMA fighters with Jiu-Jitsu backgrounds set the gi aside when fight time approaches. What do you do?

I train in the gi the whole time. I don’t stop, not even close to fight time. I train Jiu-Jitsu and MMA the whole time, always both. Jiu-Jitsu is my mainstay, it’s what takes the foreground. But I always do both, I can’t forsake one for the other.

This time, despite your winning by submission again, you showed in the UFC that you have good standup. Do you feel your standup game is at the same level as your ground game?

Like in Jiu-Jitsu, when I see an opening to decide the fight, I finish. But training MMA here at Bronx’s Gold Team is complete, from top to bottom. I’m a complete fighter, too. I know I have a lot to improve on in the standup, but we always find a work-around standing or on the ground. There’s always a way to finesse it!

What are your thoughts on your division in the UFC (lightweight) and current champion Frankie Edgar?

There are a lot of tough guys in my division. Indeed, just to be in the UFC you have to be good. Everyone has their own fight style, but nobody’s silly. Frankie Edgar deserves what he’s got because of the work he’s been doing. He beat the champ and he’s the man, the man to beat. Now it’s all about doing my job and if I get a shot at him, that would be marvelous. He’s to be congratulated and is doing things right.

Charles subs Darren Elkins in UFC debut. Photo: Josh Hedges

What was it like entering the UFC and winning two fights in such great fashion in such a short space of time?

I’m so happy about it. Getting into the UFC was marvelous. Thank God I managed to get into the biggest event in the world. I hope to keep doing well and now I’m keeping focused and forging ahead.

Do you know if you’ll fight again by the end of the year?

For the time being I’m just enjoying having won. I have nothing lined up yet. I’ll let you know when I do.