Adam Borics and Mads Burnell made the first five-round non-title featherweight main event in Bellator history a memorable one.
At Bellator 276, Borics (18-1 MMA, 9-1 BMMA) and Burnell (16-4 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) slugged it out for 25 minutes until the final horn sounded. Shortly thereafter, Borics’ hand was raised with a unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 49-46) victory. The event took place Saturday at Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.
The opening round was closely-contested. Burnell mixed up his striking levels as he targeted the head, midsection, and legs of Borics. At one point, the Hungarian fighter returned the favor with a short, stunning shot that seemingly rocked Burnell. Both men were all-action. Both men moved forward.
This main event between @Burnellmma and @AdamBorics is delivering!
We are LIVE on @SHOsports with #Bellator276👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/TlLV3YwxGU
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) March 13, 2022
The fast tempo and willingness to give and take sent the tempo for what the rest of the fight would look like. In Round 2, Borics began to take over more decisively. He broke out his signature flying knee as a frequent counter. Toward the end of the round, Borics sealed the frame when he dropped Burnell with a punch.
We've got a fight! 🔥
We are LIVE on @SHOsports with #Bellator276👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/cV6hAzczZa
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) March 13, 2022
In Round 3, Burnell found the most success. His body punches relentlessly ripped Borics, who winced on multiple occasions but kept a good poker face thereafter. Round 4, Borics came out firing. His urgency was back and it showed. Burnell slowed, but picked up the pace after he broke out an impromptu dance move. Borics answered – with a dance move of his own before the end of the round.
A bit of fun from both @AdamBorics and @Burnellmma 😅
We are LIVE on @SHOsports with #Bellator276👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/erF5WCDC3L
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) March 13, 2022
Round 5, both men were tired but unwilling to take their feet off the gas. Borics seemed one step ahead of Burnell, if even by a slim margin. When the bell rang, both men raised their hands – but Burnell was the only one to walk home victorious.
#Bellator276 results: Adam Borics (@AdamBorics) def. Mads Burnell via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 49-46)
Results: https://t.co/zDtuzJHUCM pic.twitter.com/VWQOTR3fEK
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 13, 2022
With the win, Borics makes his case as a potential No. 1 contender for the winner of champion A.J. McKee and Patricio Freire at Bellator 277 in April. The victory extends his winning streak to four.
As for Burnell, the loss is his first in the promotion and snaps a seven-fight winning streak. His most recent loss prior to Saturday came in his final UFC fight in May 2018, a loss to Arnold Allen.
Official Bellator 276 results include
- Adam Borics def. Mads Burnell via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 49-46)
- Phil Davis def. Julius Anglickas via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Johnny Eblen def. John Salter via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Jay Jay Wilson via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Alex Polizzi def. Jose Augusto via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 0:49
- Romero Cotton def. Freddy Sandoval via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 1, 1:39
- Diana Avsaragova def. Kyra Batara via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Cody Law def. James Adcock via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:17
- Roman Faraldo def. Kelvin Rayford via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:44
- Jordan Howard def. Trevor Ward via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 3:24
