Charles Oliveira da Silva, the popular Charles do Bronx, current lightweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and submission record among all fighters in the league (14), was in Brasília to promote the launch of the sports betting platform partner BetCombat. During the event, in a press conference with the presence of BetCombat CEO João Vieira Neto, and mediation of public relations Thiago Miranda, the São Paulo native spoke with journalists about his upcoming challenges in his career and participation in social projects.
At the event promoted by the company, with the virtual presence of the Ag Fight report, Charles expressed his enthusiasm for the mission to represent BetCombat and thanked them for being chosen among so many Brazilian professionals with a high profile in MMA. The UFC lightweight champion even revealed that he often ventures into the world of sports betting. As he is familiar with the scenario, the São Paulo native did not think twice about embracing another opportunity in his career.
"I always dreamed of being represented by the best brands. BetCombat has arrived now, with all the pressure and morale in the world. It's a betting segment that comes with strength for the fight part, which didn't have. I am very grateful to be the representative of the brand. Whatever I can do, I'll be doing it for the team. I'm grateful to God for the opportunities he's been giving me. I bet a lot on the brand, because it's here and here to stay," said Charles.
"I started betting because of my brother. He bet a lot on games, and I started. It's very good. When you lose, it's sad, but when you start winning, you get the hang of it and start betting more. Now, as a representative, I'll bet much more on the fight part. On Saturday, there's an event and I'll bet. If I have to bet, I'll bet on BetCombat," he added.
Outside the Octagons, Charles shows that his struggle is to provide opportunities for people in need through martial arts, English courses, entrepreneurship and financial education. Together with the BetCombat bookmaker and the Chute Boxe Diego Lima gym, the UFC champion announced yet another social initiative: the “Fábrica de Campeões” (Champions Factory) in São Paulo.
“It is a very good space with 2,000m², where we will teach various martial arts, but we will not restrict ourselves to that, we will have courses in English, entrepreneurship, financial education, so that fighters can have all the structure to be able to grow,” details Charles.
The fighter recalled the beginning of his trajectory in a favela in Guarujá, and that this motivates him to invest in social initiatives. “Today, I'm harvesting everything I've planted over the years, and I want other young people to reach that level too, of a boy from the favela who conquered the world. That's why we're going to sow seeds in the lives of these needy people through this sport with our Fábrica de Campeões,” reveals Charles, who also detailed a little about how the project will be.
After winning the lightweight belt on May 15, 2021, the fighter has yet to return to the UFC's Octagons; however, he is still steadfast in his preparations and keeping an eye on two possible opponents. On July 10th, Irish Conor McGregor will face North American Dustin Poirier, at UFC 264, in Las Vegas. The winner of the fight will be Charles of the Bronx's opponent. Regarding the definition of the next opponent, the Brazilian expressed his confidence in a future triumph. “Conor is coming with a different mentality, I believe he will win this fight, and, by the end of the year, we will face each other, and I will win,” he guaranteed.
Source: GMB
