customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

summary

updatedDate

knowledgeQuestion

disableOffPlatformContent

published

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

James Goyder

Gustavo Balart was competing at the London Olympics 12 years ago but on Saturday, he is challenging for an MMA title for the first time in his career when he takes on Jarred Brooks at ONE Fight Night 24.
Balart was a decorated wrestler who represented Cuba with distinction but could not make it past the quarter-final stage in 2012 Games, having claimed gold at the Pan-American Games the previous year.
Now, the Cuban is riding a four-fight winning streak into his strawweight title fight this weekend which is set for Lumpinee Stadium.
Balart is the shortest fighter in ONE Championship’s flyweight division, standing at 4 feet 11 inches and Brooks is the biggest name he has faced in his MMA career.
“Personally, I don’t care about names,” the 37-year-old said. “I want to be a champion, and I will go after whoever is the champion.

“It could be him, or it could be another fighter. Winning the interim championship would make me a champion.”
While Balart has started a new life in Miami, his wife and three daughters have remained in Cuba.
“I always think of my family and my daughters,” he added. “They depend on what I do at that moment.
“They depend on my effort. During the fight when I am tired, during the difficult moments I think of them. I think of how important it is that I win the fight for them.”
Brooks, also a former wrestler, has been able to take down every single opponent he has faced in his ONE Championship career but might find this fight plays out a little differently.

“He will have a hard time trying to take me down,” Balart said. “He will be tested.
“I will match his level and intensity. I am going to defend myself. I am not going to let him take me down.”
Balart will not be at an advantage in terms of height, but that is always the case for the Cuban, who said he thinks being the shorter man will prevent him from dominating the striking exchanges.
“He likes taking fighters to the ground,” Balart said. “When he tries to do that to me and realises that he cannot do it, he will also find out my striking is better than his.
“It will be the end for him.”


ONE Championship: Adrian Lee was ‘really nervous’ during debut, despite submission win

Veteran fighter John Lineker already building a future outside ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Liam Harrison ready to ‘enjoy’ long-awaited battle with Seksan in Denver

ONE Championship: Superlek not impressed by Jonathan Haggerty ahead of title showdown

ONE Championship

Gustavo Balart’s journey from Olympic athlete to ONE Championship title contender

Gustavo Balart will be fighting for a ONE Championship title 12 years on from appearing at the London Olympics. Photo: ONE Championship

Gustavo Balart punches Hiroba Minowa. Photo: ONE Championship

Gustavo Balart kicks Hiroba Minowa. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Jonathan Haggerty’s brother Freddie dreaming of Denver bout after win

Freddie Haggerty is desperate to be added to the ONE 168 card, which takes place in Denver. Photo: ONE Championship

Brothers Freddie Haggerty (left) and Jonathan Haggerty are now both signed to ONE Championship. Photo: Handout

ONE Championship: undefeated Zakirov faces Japan’s No 4-ranked Minowa in ONE 168 bout

Sanzhar Zakirov (right) takes a punch during his victory over Zayundin Suleymanov. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Rodtang and Smith to clash in flyweight Muay Thai title bout at ONE 169

Rodtang Jitmuangnon will put his ONE Championship flyweight Muay Thai title on the line against Jacob Smith. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship double champion Jonathan Haggerty’s brother Freddie making waves

Freddie Haggerty is shown no signs of pressure despite his brother being a double champion with the promotion. Photo: ONE Championship

Freddie Haggerty ended his bout with Dankalong Sor Dechapan 14 seconds into the opening round. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Baatarkhuu looking to add Bumina-ang to list of Filipino conquests

Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu is looking to continue his impressive record against Filipino fighters at ONE Championship. Photo: ONE Championship

Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu’s most recent victory over a fighter from the Philippines was against Jhanlo Sangiao. Photo: ONE Championship

Sport

Martial Arts

Balart was a decorated wrestler who represented Cuba with distinction but could not make it past the quarter-final stage in 2012


Balart was a decorated wrestler who represented Cuba with distinction but could not make it past the quarter-final stage in 2012 Games, having claimed gold at the Pan-American Games the previous year.
