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Third-ranked contender Gustavo Balart and former champ Jarred Brooks will vie for the interim strawweight MMA world title in the curtain closer of ONE Fight Night 24.
However, as far as 'El Gladiador' is concerned, he'll actually be taking on the division's rightful ruler this coming August 2 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Balart is referencing the unfortunate ending to Brooks' last outing against Joshua Pacio at ONE 166 last March. 'The Monkey God' lost 26 pounds of gold due to disqualification after inadvertently spiking 'The Passion' on his neck.
In an interview with ONE Championship, Balart claimed Brooks was winning that fight up until that ill-fated incident.
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"I think he was doing fine but he made a mistake and the referee gave him a warning. That does not change anything, he is still a great fighter to me, the real champion."
Truth be told, it does seem Brooks was having more success for as long as that bout lasted.
The American looked light on his feet and secured back control before the fight-ending slam.
Meanwhile, the former 125-pound kingpin has moved on from that incident and has sights on claiming interim gold at Gustavo Balart's expense this coming Friday.
Gustavo Balart says Jarred Brooks fight is the most significant one of his career
Gustavo Balart clawed his way to the top of the stacked strawweight MMA division, and he certainly won't let this career-defining opportunity go to waste.
The 37-year-old wrestler worked tirelessly to become a more complete MMA fighter and finally has the chance to fulfill his dreams.
The Cuban Olympian told ONE:
"I have been working for a long time for this occasion. It was always my main objective to come to the US to fight in MMA. This is the most important fight of my life. This is the result of many years of hard work."
Prime Video subscribers in North America can watch ONE Fight Night 24 for free, as it happens live in US Primetime.
