Balart Takes Aim At Saruta: ‘My Boxing And Wrestling Are Superior’

Balart Takes Aim At Saruta: ‘My Boxing And Wrestling Are Superior’

Balart Takes Aim At Saruta: ‘My Boxing And Wrestling Are Superior’

Balart Takes Aim At Saruta: ‘My Boxing And Wrestling Are Superior’

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Gustavo “El Gladiador” Balart may be small in stature, but the 4-foot-11 juggernaut has a big heart and the skills necessary to climb to the top of the strawweight division.

This Friday, 11 February, the Cuban star will face former ONE Strawweight World Champion Yosuke “The Ninja” Saruta in a pivotal clash at ONE: BAD BLOOD, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Balart, a Cuban Olympic wrestler, had experienced some adversity at the beginning of his ONE Championship career. “El Gladiador” dropped back-to-back decision losses at flyweight, and then he had his strawweight debut spoiled by a head kick.

The 34-year-old has turned his luck around, however.

Last July, the Cuban showcased his dominance against Japanese dynamo Ryuto “Dragon Boy” Sawada and earned a unanimous decision victory.

Balart has a chance to build on that momentum in Singapore, and a victory over Saruta – currently the division’s #3-ranked contender – would undoubtedly catapult him into the strawweight rankings and have him knocking on the door of a World Title shot.

Ahead of this clash in Singapore, Balart talks all about Saruta, how his small stature has benefited him, and much more. (One Championship)