For ONE Championship star Gustavo Balart, becoming the interim strawweight MMA king in his upcoming battle is essential.
The #3-ranked divisional contender meets former World Champion Jarred Brooks for the belt in the main event of ONE Fight Night 24 on Saturday, 3rd August, at Bangkok, Thailand’s historic Lumpinee Stadium.
Victory would not only solidify Balart as the top dog in the stacked weight bracket, it would go a long way toward helping him bring his family to the U.S.
The Cuban wrestler moved to America eight years ago with the goal of achieving in mixed martial arts, as he has always believed it could provide a better life for him and those closest to him.
“Since I was a child, I always dreamed of being an MMA fighter and going to the United States to fight, just like I used to watch on TV. When I came back from the Olympics [in 2012], I knew it was my moment, and I decided to dedicate 100 percent of my time to mixed martial arts,” Balart said.
“I came to the U.S. looking for more opportunities for myself and my family because in Cuba, the economic situation is very difficult, and I knew that my dream of becoming an MMA fighter would have never worked there.”
“El Gladiador” is a former Olympic wrestler, so he knows what it’s like to feel pressure in competition. But there’s extra weight on his shoulders ahead of his tussle with Brooks at ONE Fight Night 24.
He isn’t just fighting for himself. He’s fighting for his daughters, who depend on his career as a mixed martial artist.
A win would earn Balart the interim gold, but it would also set up a World Title unification bout with ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio at some point in the future. So, the road to ultimate success starts on 3rd August, and the 37-year-old is laser-focused on finding it – for him and his loved ones.
“Thinking of my daughters is what gives me strength to go on. They are the reason why I get up and fight even if I feel that I can no longer do it. I think having my family here with me would be the best thing I could achieve,” Balart said.
“They depend on what I do at that moment. They depend on my effort. During the fight when I am tired, during the difficult moments, I think of them. I think of how important it is that I win the fight for them.”
