"Just like I used to watch on TV" - Gustavo Balart says he's living his childhood dream of becoming an elite MMA fighter

Gustavo Balart has a wrestling pedigree that very few can match, especially in the strawweight division. This grappling foundation has proven to be an excellent foundation for a successful career in MMA.

Growing up in Cuba, Balart would go on to represent his country on the global stage before making the switch to MMA.

Ahead of his return at ONE Fight Night 24, he reflected on his journey through combat sports and competition:

"Since I was a child, I was always attracted to combat sports. My dad was part of the national wrestling team in Cuba. I started to learn wrestling when I was very young."

Balart went on to explain that despite wrestling being his first step, he always hoped to compete in MMA at some stage which meant leaving his family and life in Cuba to dedicate himself to this pursuit:

"I always dreamt of being an MMA Fighter and came to the United States to fight just like I used to watch on TV."

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Gustavo Balart has given up too much to give up now

There is no quit in Gustavo Balart, and that's clear both in the way he fights and when looking back at his story.

He lives for competition and to prove that he is the best, which is sure to motivate him ahead of ONE Fight Night 24.

In the co-main event on August 2, he takes on Jarred Brooks as two of the best grapplers in the division go head-to-head for the interim title.

Balart has lived and breathed elite competition for some time now, and Brooks is the former champion, meaning that both men know what it takes to reach this level.

The fans inside Lumpinee Stadium are sure to witness a battle of wills between these two skilled and motivated strawweights.

ONE Fight Night 24 will air live in US Primetime, free of charge for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.