That would be the play at this point. He's always in the gym, so I would imagine that he's been training for 154. Might as well add a few more pounds and go from there.
I do kinda wonder if Charlo did this outta spite or outta fear. You can never tell with fighters these days.
For Mell I will say Post Canelo he said he got business to finish at 154, and WBC and WBA made him Champ in Recess and with the Fundora and Tsyzu stuff he probably see Israel as the easiest/most straight forward path to reclaim his belts ASAP since Israel is available for a fight.
If Mell said he was going to 160 and then pulled this then yeah you could say it was spite.
For Bud if nikkas really talking the Canelo shyt even though Bud was like hell nah before then 160 shouldn't be too scary for him especially since it's weak and Bud is strong so while he prob won't KO dudes, his strength plus skill should make him competitive (dominance though we won't know until he gets in the ring). And Time is ticking with 160 he would be 2 fights away fro Undisputed and if the Saudis once again have picked him for their USA run, then it's a no brainer. Bud prob only has 2 fights MAYBE 3 so why not have the Saudi's fund his 3X Undisputed Farewell tour. Nobody is getting him another 20M pay day. Let PBC do their political fukkery at 154 and continue on since it seems you have the financial backing.
Bud vs JAnnibek in LA, then fight for the last Belt in your hometown and retire.