“I do not want to prove anything”: Gustavo Balart laser-focused on achieving dream of becoming MMA world champion
Third-ranked ONE strawweight MMA contender and former Cuban Olympic wrestler 'El Gladiador' Gustavo Balart has the blinders on and is fully fixated on becoming a ONE world champion.
In fact, it has always been the 37-year-old veteran's dream to win the gold in mixed martial arts, and now 'El Gladiador' is closer than ever to achieving his goal. Speaking to ONE Championship in a recent interview, Balart says only the belt matters, and he will stop at nothing to get it.
'El Gladiador' said:
"I do not want to prove anything. I just want to be the next champion. That is my dream. I have been working for this all my life to be an MMA champion."
The no.3-ranked strawweight in ONE joined the world's largest martial arts organization in April of 2019, but had a rough start on the global stage as he dropped three straight.
However, Gustavo Balart refocused himself and bounced back in a big way, getting his first win in ONE at ONE: Battleground in July 2021. Since then, the 37-year-old has strung together four straight victories, including impressive triumphs over former world champions Yosuke Saruta and Alex Silva.
Can 'El Gladiador' finally turn the corner and take the ONE Championship gold for himself?
Gustavo Balart set to challenge former divisional king Jarred Brooks for interim strap at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video
No.3-ranked contender 'El Gladiador' Gustavo Balart of Cuba is set to face former strawweight MMA world champion 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks for the ONE interim strawweight MMA world title.
The two lock horns in the main event of ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video, which broadcasts live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, August 2.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the updates coming from fight week.