‘This Is My Dream’ – Gustavo Balart Ready To Risk Everything In World Title Fight Against Jarred Brooks
Gustavo “El Gladiador” Balart has the chance to make his dreams come true at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video.
The Cuban star gave up everything to chase combat sports success, and it could pay off in a major way when he faces Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks for the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Title live in U.S. primetime on Friday, August 2.
Leaving his wife and children behind while he took the risk to secure a brighter future, Balart can finally see his sacrifices reap its rewards, and it will take a monumental effort to stop him.
Looking ahead to his high-stakes clash at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, the former Olympian said:
“This is my dream. I have been working for this all my life.
“What I left behind is so much. I worked really hard to be here and the time is now. There is no tomorrow. I am really happy to have this opportunity to fight. That night I am going to give it my all.
“All I know is that on August 2, ONE Championship will have a new king in the 125-pound division. His name is Gustavo Balart Marin.”
While the job wouldn’t be completely finished with a victory over Brooks, Balart would elevate his career to the next level as the interim king and earn himself the opportunity for undisputed glory.
Sidelined ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio is still recovering from knee surgery, but “El Gladiador” knows this next step is crucial if he wants to be first in line to square off with the Filipino star.
“Winning the interim belt will give me a chance to face whoever is next on the list, including the undisputed champion. My job is to try to be the new champion, and to do that, I need to defeat anyone in my path.
“Personally, I don’t care about names. I will go after whoever is the champion. It could be Pacio, could be another fighter, but he is the one with the belt, and that is why I must face him.”
Balart Plans On Negating Brooks And Winning A Stand-Up Battle
Gustavo Balart is a world-class Greco-Roman wrestler who has represented his nation at the pinnacle of the sport at the Olympic Games.
When he meets Jarred Brooks, “El Gladiador” will face a decorated folkstyle wrestler from the U.S. who has carried over his skills impressively in mixed martial arts.
This is one element of the matchup that has fans particularly intrigued, but the Cuban thinks he has the edge.
“I think that whoever wrestles the best that day will be victorious. He will have a hard time trying to take me down. He will be tested. I will match his level and intensity.
“I am going to defend myself. I am not going to let him take me down. No way. I will counterattack. I don’t think he is going to get frustrated, but if he is trying and trying, he is going to make things easier for me.”
If Balart can negate Brooks’ primary strategy, he believes the odds will swing firmly in his favor.
The aggressive 37-year-old Cuban fighter has worked hard to bring his striking up to par with the rest of his skill set, and he sees that as his route to victory over “The Monkey God.”
He explained:
“He is going to try to do what he does best. He likes taking fighters to the ground.
“When he tries to do that to me and realizes that he cannot do it, he will also find out my striking is better than his. It will be the end for him.”
