Gustavo Balart has sacrificed a lot to become a mixed martial arts star, but his motivation to do so is pure.

“El Gladiador” is gearing up for the biggest opportunity of his career so far in the main event of ONE Fight Night 24 on Friday, August 2. That evening, he’ll battle former divisional king Jarred Brooks for the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Championship inside the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Gustavo Balart wishes to be with his family

After representing Cuba in the Olympics, Balart set out for America to try and make it MMA. As a result, the wrestling star was forced to leave his loved ones behind, and he explained why he made that decision in a recent interview with ONE. 

“Since I was a child, I always dreamed of being an MMA fighter and going to the United States to fight, just like I used to watch on TV.  When I came back from the Olympics [in 2012], I knew it was my moment, and I decided to dedicate 100 percent of my time to mixed martial arts,” Balart said.      

“I came to the U.S. looking for more opportunities for myself and my family because in Cuba, the economic situation is very difficult, and I knew that my dream of becoming an MMA fighter would have never worked there.” 

“El Gladiador” was joined by his father on his journey, but his pregnant wife and two daughters couldn’t make the trip. They stayed in Balart’s mind, though, and working toward having them reunite with him was set as the ultimate goal.  

The more success he finds, the more real that dream becomes, and the 37-year-old has plans for his children when they eventually make it to America.

“My dad came to the U.S. with me.  My wife, my mom, and my three daughters are still in Cuba. My grandma and the rest of my family are there too. I wish my family could be here with me. That is my dream. Having them here with me would make me fully happy,” Balart said.    

“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.” 

The Ultimate prize for “El Gladiador”

There’s no greater prize than having your family around you, and Balart winning ONE Championship gold next weekend could be the catalyst for that happening for him. 

Claiming the interim strawweight MMA World Title will book the Cuban a unification match with reigning king Joshua “The Pasion” Pacio at some point in the future, so fans can expect him to do everything in his power to overcome Brooks at ONE Fight Night 24.