"There is no tomorrow" - Gustavo Balart ready to go for broke to capture interim strawweight MMA strap
It's now or never for Gustavo Balart. The third-ranked strawweight MMA contender wants to strike while the iron is hot and capitalize on the opportunity of a lifetime in the main event of ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs Balart on Prime Video.
On August 2, 'El Gladiador' will seek to stretch his active winning streak to five, as he takes on former champion Jarred Brooks for the interim strawweight MMA crown, live in US Primetime.
Speaking to ONE ahead of this five-round clash at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, Balart revealed how thrilled he is to finally earn a shot at 26 pounds of gold.
"This is my dream. I have been working for this my whole life."
Moreover, the decorated Cuban wrestler promised to leave it all on the line and produce his best performance yet for this possible career-defining chance. He added:
"What I left behind is so much. I worked really hard to be here and the time is now. There is no tomorrow. I am really happy to have this opportunity to fight. That night I am going to give it my all."
After a horrible 0-3 start to his ONE career, Gustavo Balart certainly went through hell and back to redeem himself and win his next four fights.
Now, it's time to cash in and fulfill his lifelong dream in the world's largest martial arts organization.
Gustavo Balart says he's ready for unification bout with Joshua Pacio
If Gustavo Balart gets his hand raised at ONE Fight Night 24, he still needs one more win to become the undisputed king of the strawweights.
The 37-year-old knows this and claimed he's long been ready for the 125-pound MMA champion Joshua Pacio, who's currently rehabbing from an injured knee.
The American Top Team affiliate told ONE:
"Winning the interim belt will give me a chance to face whoever is next on the list, including the undisputed champion. My job is to try to be the new champion, and to do that, I need to defeat anyone in my path."
ONE Fight Night 24 is free for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.