Gustavo Balart has his first chance at ONE Championship gold on Friday, August 2, in Bangkok at ONE Fight Night 24.
The Cuban wrestling star has ridden a four-bout winning streak into a meeting against Jarred Brooks for the ONE Interim Strawweight World Championship at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video.
His journey to this main event moment did not come without hardships.
“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 told ONE.
“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.”
For Balart, his dedication has seen him separate from his family. He is fueled to continue his winning ways to reunite with his wife and children in the United States.
“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 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.”
Balart has been away from his family for nearly a decade. However, while mentally taxing for “El Gladiador,” the thoughts of his family continue to serve as constant inspiration when the weight of the world bears down on his shoulders.
“I have been here in the U.S. without my family for eight years. I came here in 2016. It has been a huge sacrifice for me. I have my family in my mind every second of the day,” the Cuban remarked.
“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.”
“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.”
Just because the strawweight contender is away from his family does not mean he is an absent father.
Balart is a constant presence in their lives and does his best to stay in contact on a daily basis. The dream of reuniting can become closer to reality if he can secure the ONE Interim Strawweight World Title and ascend to the top of the ONE mountain.
“I talk to my daughters every single day. I like to say good night to them and ask about their days at school. I am not there physically, but I make sure they know I am there for them. I like to check on their behavior, how school is going, and how they feel,” Balart said.
“When they are here with me, I will make sure they get a great education. I will try to get all that time I was not there with them back. I will show them how much I love them and teach them what I learned from my parents.”
ONE Fight Night 24 airs live and free on Prime Video on Friday, August 2, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.