"He is going to make things easier for me" - Gustavo Balart says he'd gladly test Jarred Brooks' feared grappling arsenal

Top strawweight contender Gustavo Balart says he'll gladly test Jarred Brooks' feared grappling skills when they clash for the interim world title at ONE Fight Night 24.

Balart has worked too hard for many years to be denied the ONE interim strawweight crown. An Olympic wrestler by trade, the 37-year-old Cuban has built his MMA career on dominating opponents with his decorated background.

Moreover, Balart has an advanced striking game to add, which has served him well in producing a record of 12-4 overall. With an evolved striking game and a solid wrestling base, Balart is one of the few athletes who can confidently say that he's got a great chance of destroying Jarred Brooks' game plan on Aug. 2.

Speaking to ONE, 'El Gladiador' said:

"I don't think he [Jarred Brooks] is going to get frustrated, but if he is trying and trying [to take me down], he is going to make things easier for me."

Making that transition from wrestling to MMA is no small feat. There are lots of athletes who've failed time and time again to better evolve their skills. But Gustavo Balart, much like Jarred Brooks, has become one of the most well-rounded strawweight fighters in the world.

Watch Brooks vs Balart at ONE Fight Night 24 live in US Primetime, free of charge for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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"There is no tomorrow" - Gustavo Balart has got his eyes fixed on the prize after risking it all to become an MMA fighter

Jarred Brooks vs Gustavo Balart for the ONE interim strawweight MMA world title will be an absolute barnburner.

Brooks for his part, is dying to reclaim his lost belt after losing it via disqualification against Joshua Pacio earlier this year. He just needs one more fight, before rectifying his mistake on the grand stage.

But Balart doesn't risk any less. A Cuban immigrant who has had to leave home in pursuit of a better life has motivation enough to get himself hyped up for this fight.

If it wasn't for Pacio's injury, Balart probably wouldn't have had an opportunity such as this open up for him in such a short time. But he can assure you, that he won't be taking anything for granted that night.

"There is no tomorrow, " Balart told ONE. "I am really happy to have this opportunity to fight. That night I am going to give it my all."