“I will try to get all that time” - Gustavo Balart can’t wait for reunion with daughters he left in Cuba for America
Veteran fighter Gustavo Balart is focused on his fighting career and push for a world title, but admits part of his heart is in his native country of Cuba, where his daughters, as well as the rest of his family, reside.
'El Gladiador' mentioned this in an interview with ONE Championship ahead of his fight for the interim ONE strawweight world title on Aug. 2 at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video in Bangkok, Thailand.
Balart shared that while he is working hard on his game in the United States, his family is always in his mind, particularly his daughters, who he cannot wait to be with.
He said:
"Wow, when my daughters are here with me, I will make sure they get a great education. I will try to get all that time I was not there with them back. I will show them how much I love them and teach them what I learned from my parents."
As he awaits for the opportunity to be reunited with his family, Gustavo Balart, for now, will go for his championship goals, vying for the interim ONE strawweight MMA gold at ONE Fight Night 24 against former divisional king Jarred Brooks of the U.S.
The 37-year-old Cuban fighter is packing a lot of momemtum after winning his last four matches, the most recent a split decision win over Japanese Hiroba Minowa in January.
ONE Championship is having an interim strawweight championship fight as reigning champion Joshua Pacio is out indefinitely with an ACL injury.
ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs Balart on Prime Video will take place at the Lumpinee Stadium and will be available live and for free at U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Gustavo Balart wants Jarred Brooks fight to be settled on the feet
Gustavo Balart is ready for wherever his title match against Jarred Brooks at ONE Fight Night 24 on Aug. 2 will go. But, he said he will try to finish it on the feet.
The American Top Team affiliate believes that 'The Monkey God' will try to take the game to the ground and he intends to counter that.
Balart told ONE Championship in an interview:
"He's 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 of him."
At ONE Fight Night 24, Gustavo Balart is facing an opponent who is out for redemption after losing the ONE strawweight world title in his last fight by disqualification.