"I cannot just take to the floor" - Gustavo Balart says well-rounded approach key to beating Jarred Brooks

Wrestling specialist Gustavo Balart thinks he cannot solely rely on his bread and butter to see off Jarred Brooks in his ONE interim strawweight MMA world title clash at ONE Fight Night 24.

'El Gladiador' has kept a close eye on 'The Monkey God' since he debuted on the global stage of ONE Championship. Similarly, he's done all his homework to ensure he heads into this fight inside the revered Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, at 100 percent.

But as much as he'd love to settle the scheduled five-round war doing what he does best, Gustavo Balart believes he'll need to rely on more than just that to return home with 26 pounds of gold.

View this post on Instagram

Instagram Post

Speaking to SerEbro EnlosDeportes, the Cuban fighter said:

"For Brooks, I cannot just take to the floor and control this fight. I believe we will have a little bit of level changes, or blows in the fight. We will defend takedowns, and maybe, have a good striking [contest]."

Apart from wanting to walk out of the venue with ONE gold and a chance to unify his crown with divisional king Joshua Pacio, Balart is fired up to take his winning run to five against arguably the toughest test of his career.

Find out if he can do so by tuning in to ONE Fight Night 24, available to active Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada for free.

Watch the full interview here:

Lito Adiwang impressed with Gustavo Balart's improved stand-up arsenal

Over the course of the past four years, Gustavo Balart has tackled anyone that has come in his way of greatness.

Even former fifth-ranked strawweight MMA contender Lito Adiwang has been impressed by the Cuban's spirited performances inside the ONE circle.

In particular, 'Thunder Kid' believes Balart's striking has played a tremendous role in his upward trajectory, as he told Sportskeeda MMA:

"I followed his career at ONE Championship, and I saw how he has improved his striking, he sets his strength on his boxing and, of course, his wrestling."