‘Bell-To-Bell Action’ – Rich Franklin Excited For Brooks Vs. Balart In ONE Fight Night 24 Main Event

Update: Gustavo Balart missed weight for his ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Title fight against Jarred Brooks. The fight will proceed at a catchweight of 126 pounds. Only Brooks will be eligible to win the World Title at ONE Fight Night 24. If Balart wins, no interim belt will be awarded.

When it comes to scouting for potentially incredible matchups, Rich Franklin knows what he is looking for. 

The ONE Vice President has spent years searching for the best talent and seeing them flourish in exciting battles, and he thinks Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks vs. Gustavo “El Gladiador” Balart has all the hallmarks of an epic clash. 

The pair top the ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video card live in U.S. primetime this Friday, August 2, and with the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Title on the line, Franklin thinks it will be a riveting finish to the stacked card.

He expects #1-ranked Brooks and #3-ranked Balart to wage war on the hunt for gold, and it’s his pick for a potential Fight of the Night at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the Interim Strawweight MMA World Title match between Brooks and Balart, they both run a pace in a fight that never fails to deliver.  

“Most importantly, gas tank is not an issue for either fighter, so this will be bell-to-bell action. It is for the interim title, and Balart is the only person in the division Brooks has not cleared out.

“Brooks had his strap stripped over the head dump of Pacio, and Balart has been climbing the ranks of the weight class and patiently waiting for his opportunity. The stakes are high for both.” 

Although both men are explosive, they’re also cerebral when it comes to finding a route to victory.

For that reason, Franklin thinks it might take some feeling out early in the bout before they go all-in, but he’s convinced it will come to life when “The Monkey God” and “El Gladiador” find their feet. 

Franklin said: 

“You are going to have to let this fight marinate for a bit to appreciate the action. I believe it will start slowly. Both men will need time to find the holes in the other’s game. They will likely spend time in the clinch until either a mistake is made and the other can capitalize or combinations will begin to open up.  

“I actually see most of this fight on the feet – go figure with two wrestlers – because both like to deliver and it will be tough for either to keep the other down and control them.” 

Franklin Weighs Up Balart and Brooks’ Skill Sets 

Rich Franklin sees a lot in Gustavo Balart’s game that could cause issues for Jarred Brooks. 

Apart from his disqualification loss against Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, the American has looked unstoppable in ONE so far, finishing or dominating almost all of the division’s top names. 

Balart is one opponent that he is yet to face, and Franklin thinks the former Greco-Roman wrestling Olympian has the tools to push “The Monkey God” to his limits. 

He said: 

“When you watch Balart’s last fight against Hiroba Minowa, Minowa has similar tools to Brooks. He is well-rounded, a solid wrestler – although not on Brooks’ level – and transitions between striking and takedowns well. 

“Balart uses his Greco-Roman wrestling to neutralize people with the clinch, earn the takedown, or break away and land strikes.

“His wrestling helps set up his striking because he can land on entry or typically keep his opponents from committing to their combinations, allowing Balart to throw. This allowed Balart to work past the 3-inch height advantage Minowa had.” 

Still, despite praising “El Gladiador,” Franklin thinks Brooks will be a tough nut to crack. 

The American has world-class folkstyle wrestling that the ONE VP believes will be a good antidote to Balart’s upper-body clinching skills. 

Combined with the 31-year-old former strawweight MMA king’s submission prowess, Franklin anticipates a difficult assignment for the Cuban on August 2. 

“Brooks is a completely different beast. We have seen Brooks just run through some high-caliber wrestlers with his own wrestling. Balart has not faced an opponent with this level of wrestling, and I do not believe Brooks will allow Balart to clinch and neutralize him.  

“I am willing to predict Brooks will be able to take Balart down. Watch Brooks versus Bokang Masunyane, another high-caliber wrestler who is super athletic. They started the fight in the clinch, and Brooks took the back off of Masunyane’s attempted offense. 

“It showcased that Brooks is not just a wrestler. Riding in the backpack position for about four minutes and systematically earning the rear-naked choke.”