Third-ranked ONE strawweight MMA contender, Gustavo Balart is eager to showcase his skills at the upcoming ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart. He will face former champion Jarred Brooks for the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Championship title, scheduled for August 2 at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok.

However, Gustavo Balart is not just fighting for the belt like others. In a recent interview with ONE Championship, the Cuban sensation revealed the immense source of motivation that has been driving him throughout his time in America.

Gustavo Balart’s source of motivation

A former Olympic wrestler from Cuba, Balart left the island in 2016 seeking a better future in the “land of opportunity” to secure a brighter tomorrow for his family. His hard work appears to have paid off, as he headlines the upcoming ONE Fight Night 24 at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. This represents a significant milestone, signifying the fruition of his sacrifice.

However, the journey has been challenging. During training and fights, feelings of demotivation crept in, and he contemplated quitting. But his family, constantly on his mind, provided unwavering support from afar. In an interview with ONE, he revealed the driving force that kept him fighting. “Thinking of my daughters is what gives me strength to go on. They are the reason why I get up and fight even if I feel that I can no longer do it. I think having my family here with me would be the best thing I could achieve,” he said.

Further, Gustavo Balart reveals how his wins and losses impact his family, stating, “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.”

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While most of Gustavo Balart’s family is in Cuba, his father has been with him throughout his journey in America, supporting him and preparing him for his big fights.

Still Chasing a Dream

Since childhood, Gustavo Balart grew up watching American wrestling on TV, dreaming of one day becoming a fighter and competing in the United States. After competing in the Olympics in 2012, “El Gladiador” decided to pursue MMA seriously. However, their challenging economic situation in Cuba made it impossible for him to pursue his goals there.

He then decided to move to America, with his father joining him. Meanwhile, his wife, three daughters, and mother remained in Cuba. Determined to reunite his family, Balart stated, “The more success I have, the more money I can earn to bring my family here to give them the life they deserve. I want my daughters to receive a proper education and my dad and my mom to have a comfortable life here in the U.S.”

Gustavo Balart’s story is a true testament to resilience and determination as he pursued his dream of becoming an MMA fighter and competing on the world’s largest mixed martial arts stage. However, his ultimate goal of reuniting his family in America remains on hold for now. A victory against Jarred Brooks at ONE Fight Night 24 will bring him one step closer to realizing this dream.