“I knew it was my moment” - Gustavo Balart on making the decision to become an MMA fighter
Third-ranked ONE strawweight MMA contender and former Cuban Olympic wrestler 'El Gladiador' Gustavo Balart recently reflected on his journey, moving from Cuba to the United States in search of a better life, and chasing his dream of becoming an MMA fighter.
The 37-year-old Cuban veteran representative of American Top Team shared his story in a recent interview with ONE Championship.
'El Gladiador' said:
"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."
Today, Balart is one of the best strawweights in the world's largest martial arts organization, and he has the chance to prove he's the most elite in his next fight.
Balart is set to face former strawweight king 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks for the ONE interim strawweight MMA world title.
The two lock horns in the main event at ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video.
The event broadcasts live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, August 2nd.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free on Amazon Prime Video. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates on the event as it happens.
Gustavo Balart longs for family as he chases MMA dreams in the U.S.: "I wish my family could be here with me."
Unlike his upcoming opponent, Jarred Brooks, at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video, Gustavo Balart is thousands of miles away from his family, who have remained in Cuba.
There is nothing more that 'El Gladiador' wants than to one day be reunited with his loved ones.
He told ONE:
"My dad came to the U.S. with me. My wife, my mom, and my three daughters are still in Cuba. My grandma and the rest of my family are there too. I wish my family could be here with me. That is my dream. Having them here with me would make me fully happy."