'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgP/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMenS5//xAAgEAACAQQBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMABAUhERITIjFC/9oACAEBAAE/AMHHbPgco9x3YiTHArRfZZwfLk+l0dDdOeh2Vl2Dwa//xAAZEQEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMAQcH/2gAIAQIBAT8AtrIRimzrn//EABcRAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEQL/2gAIAQMBAT8AWrUf/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Cuban sensation Gustavo Balart believes he is destined to become ONE Championship's new strawweight MMA king.
On Friday, August 2, 'El Gladiador' will have his chance to become exactly that when he returns to the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand for an opportunity to claim the interim ONE strawweight MMA world championship.
Standing in his way will be a man who already knows a thing or two about winning ONE gold—Jarred Brooks.
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
It will be the toughest test of Balart's illustrious combat sports career, but the 37-year-old fan favorite is ready to rise to the occasion and prove that when it comes to one of ONE's most talent-rich divisions, he stands above the rest.
“All I know is that on August 2, ONE Championship will have a new king in the 125-pound division," Balart told the promotion. "His name is Gustavo Balart Marin.”
Balart goes into his first title fight riding an impressive four-fight win streak, his most recent victory coming against the division's fourth-ranked contender Hiroba Minowa at ONE 165 in Tokyo.
Jarred Brooks determined to show a new side of himself against Gustavo Balart
Having used his world-class wrestling skills to dominate Joshua Pacio at ONE 164 en route to winning his first ONE world title, everyone—including Gustavo Balart—expects 'The Monkey God' to rely on his wrestling skills at ONE Fight Night 24.
And while there's probably a fair amount of truth in that statement, Jarred Brooks plans to show the world that he's more than just a grappler.
"I think that people are going to see a different version of Jarred Brooks this time around. I know that my capabilities speak louder than my words, so hopefully you guys will see my capabilities in full steam against Gustavo Balart."
Who leaves the Mecca of Muay Thai with interim gold and a date with reigning undisputed strawweight MMA world titleholder Joshua Pacio?
ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE Fight Night 24 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, August 2.
