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Brooks Fights Balart for Interim Strawweight Gold Friday

Brooks Fights Balart for Interim Strawweight Gold Friday
UFC

Brooks Fights Balart for Interim Strawweight Gold Friday

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August is just around the corner. The eighth month of the calendar year brings with it some exciting times in sports, including the return of (American) gridiron football. While the NFL‘s exhibition season begins Thursday in Canton, OH with the AFC/NFC Hall of Fame Game between the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears on ESPN and ABC, let’s be real:

Most, if not all, of the players who will be guaranteed starters when the regular season kicks off on the second Sunday in September will be healthy scratches for the game this week. You’ll surely be seeing more action in MMA this coming week.

The August slate of competitive violence begins on Friday night with multiple shows. Stateside, the PFL Playoffs begin in Nashville, with Fury FC 95 happening in Dallas.

Interim Strawweight Championship at Stake in ONE on Prime Video 24 Main Event

Meanwhile, Bangkok serves as the host city for ONE on Prime Video 24. Live coverage begins Friday at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT on Amazon Prime Video in the United States and Canada only. Viewers outside of North America can see ONE Fight Night 24 as a pay-per-view on ONE’s official Website.

All told, barring any late cancellations between now and the weekend, 12 bouts across the combat disciplines will be held on Friday evening. MMA serves as the focus of the main event of the evening.

The Vacant ONE Interim Strawweight Championship will be at stake in the headliner. Former ONE Strawweight Champion and current No. 1 contender Jarred Brooks (20-3, 1 NC MMA, 4-1 ONE Championship) meets up with No. 3 contender Gustavo Balart (12-4 MMA, 4-3 ONE Championship) in a five-round fight at five minutes per round to close the show.  Permanent strawweight champion Joshua Pacio (22-4 MMA, 13-4 ONE Championship) awaits at a later date.

ONE on Prime Video 24 Main Event Fighter Comparison

Heading into the ONE on Prime Video 24 main event on Friday night, Jarred Brooks is the taller contestant at 5-foot-3, compared to the 4-foot-11 frame of Gustavo Balart. Brooks owns a six-inch reach advantage (62 inches to 56 inches) over Balart ahead of this title fight.

Currently, the oddsmakers have yet to release money lines ahead of ONE on Prime Video 24. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening this weekend in MMA or combat sports, please wager responsibly.

Brooks Looking to Return to Win Column After March Disqualification

Jarred Brooks enters the ONE on Prime Video 24 main event having gone 4-1 in his last five MMA fights. Back on March 2, he saw an eight-fight unbeaten streak snapped at the hands of the aforementioned Joshua Pacio by way of first-round disqualification in ONE 166 on Prime Video.

Brooks executed an illegal spike on Pacio’s head 56 seconds into the fight, resulting in Herb Dean disqualifying him. In spite of the setback five months ago, Jarred Brooks is undaunted as he heads into the interim title fight.

“It just makes me even hungrier,” Brooks began. “God puts these tests in front of me, and I have to knock them down. I’m humbled by the experience. I think people are going to see a different version of Jarred Brooks this time around. I know that my capabilities speak louder than my words, so hopefully you guys will see my capabilities in full steam against Gustavo Balart.”

How will he bounce back from the DQ? Tune into the ONE on Prime Video 24 main event and find out.

Balart Wants to Achieve His Goals

In the other corner, Gustavo Balart has posted a 4-1 mark of his own. Currently, he’s on a four-fight winning streak. Last time out, he scored a split decision victory over Hiroba Manowa (14-5 MMA, 3-3 ONE Championship) during ONE 165 on Jan. 28.

Recently, he talked to ONE Championship about his upcoming bid for the title. It just means more to him.

“This is my dream. I have been working for this all my life,” Balart mentioned. “What I left behind is so much. I worked really hard to be here and the time is now. There is no tomorrow. I am really happy to have this opportunity to fight. That night I am going to give it my all.”

For Balart, that night is only a few days away. Only time will tell if he can turn his dream into reality.

Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction

Stylistically, the ONE on Prime Video 24 main event looks to be a toss-up. While both men have wrestling backgrounds, an edge can be given to Gustavo Balart, a three-time gold medalist in the Pan American Games.

Look for Brooks to Score a Submission

Given that Jarred Brooks wrestled while in college, it stands to reason that he could submit Gustavo Balart. Bokang Masunyane knows what it’s like to be on the receiving end of a Brooks submission.

During the first round of their 2022 fight, he had Masunyane trapped in a figure four and softened him up with punches to the head. Upon attempting a face-crank, he dropped Masunyane and sunk in a rear-naked choke. Brooks might not go for the flashy submission, but once he drops an opponent, it’s game on.

Gustavo Balart is a Full Package

In the other corner, Gustavo Balart’s 4-foot-11 frame has been far from a deterrent. When he steps into the cage on any given night, he can give his opponent a full gamut. If you watch the tape of his fight against Alex Silva, you’ll have all the proof.

This is a guy who can throw everything at the man standing on the other side of the cage. He’s got great leg kicks, body shots, a brilliant ground game, and submission defense.

Thus, it goes without saying that Gustavo Balart’s key to victory here in the ONE on Prime Video 24 main event is to keep Jarred Brooks on his toes. If he’s able to keep Brooks guessing, the momentum of the fight will go over to his side of the board and stay there.

Final Thoughts

This looks like it’ll be a cracking affair on Friday night. Although other combat sports promotions are going to be in action that evening, take time out for the ONE on Prime Video 24 main event.





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