Bellator 276 Recap: Adam Borics Picks Apart Mads Burnell at Relentless Pace
Saturday night, Bellator 276 invaded The Family Arena in St. Louis, Missouri. Headlined by two fights with title contendership on the line. As the main event features two No. 2-ranked fighters battling at Featherweight (145-pounds), the winner will likely earn the opportunity to fight for gold. Adam Borics fights Mads Burnell in the headliner as Borics (17-1) of Hungry hopes to use his height advantage against the Denmark native, Burnell (16-3), who stands three inches shorter than Borics.
The co-main event is a matchup of two top-five light heavyweights seeking a shot for the belt. The long-time veteran, Phil Davis (23-6) enters the bout ranked second in the division against the No. 4-ranked light heavyweight, Julius Anglickas (10-2). The American plans to outwrestle the Lithuanian native.
Adam Borics (17-1) plans to use his speed and length against Mads Burnell (16-3), a fighter that grinds out victories. Borics hopes to keep the fight standing against a high-level grappler in Burnell. Burnell comes in at a -220 favorite over Borics (+180).
In such a deep division and a new change of hands for the title, there is very little wiggle room for a loss. Without this fight being labeled, it should be treated by both fighters as a playoff bout. Win or go home. Can “The Kid” redeem his loss four fights ago to Darrian Caldwell, or will Mads Burnell extend his winning streak to eight victories?
The winner will most likely earn a title shot against the winner of Pitbull vs. McKee.
Round 1:
AS the fighters exchange strikes and leg licks, Borics lands a flying knee and Burnell clinches before Borics backs off. After Borics lands his stiff jabs, Burnell lands a heavy left hook and then pressed Borics against the cage where he eventually escaped from. Strong pace by both fighters, Burnell lands a brutal left to the body and then left to the head of Borics. Borics keeps landing combinations, and Burnell lands another left to the body and to the skull of Borics. Burnell keeps moving forward and holds Borics against the cage with a right under hook. Burnell working the body before landing a big right and left and Borics responds with monster shots. The action back-and-forth between the fighters lasted up until the end of the round. Tough round to score.
MyMMANews 10-9 Adam Borics
Fast start from both @Burnellmma and @AdamBorics.
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Round 2:
Borics opens round too with a much higher volume of strikes and kicks. Borics lands a knee while in the clinch with Burnell. They break the clinch and Burnell keeps pushing forward as he’s eating combinations. Borics sweeps the base out from under Burnell and brings him to the ground. Burnell shoots and Borics sprawls and circles and then lands a big elbow to the left ear of Burnell. Burnell keeps throwing strikes, as Adam Borics answers. Burnell keeps landing a left to the body and then brings it up top. Borics throws a nasty spinning back fist that Burnell eats. Just before the ten-second clap, Burnell gets dropped by a right hand and Borics jumps on the top landing a couple of strikes as they scramble to the horn.
MyMMANews 10-9 Adam Borics
Round 3:
Burnell keeps throwing the left hooks and throwing leg kicks as Borics is backing up throwing his jab. The pace has not slowed down much from the first round. In the clinch, Burnell rips another left to the body. As Borics throws the elbows and straights, Burnell keeps landing uppercuts. A big right and then left appears to have slowed down Borics. Burnell keeps chopping at the base of Borics. Kicking the calves and striking the body. Both fighters appear to have swelling around their eyes. Borics keeps busy throwing jabs and kicks as he backs up and circles.
MyMMANews 10-9 Mads Burnell
We've got a fight! 🔥
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Round 4:
Adam Borics opens quickly with a few jabs. Borics volume has increased since the last round. Borics lands a nasty knee to the jaw that snapped Burnell’s head. Borics has kept landing against Burnell as Burnell catches Borics with a few strikes. Borics doing a great job of keeping his range as Burnell keeps pushing in. Both fighters show the fans some showmanship as they continue beating each other up. Borics landed a massive right uppercut and then scores a big takedown to end the round.
MyMMANews 10-9 Adam Borics
Round 5:
Burnell keeps walking forward as Adam Borics is peppering Burnell as he pushes straight ahead. Burnell lands a heavy uppercut. Burnell lands big shots as he walks forward. They clinch and then break the clinch. Borics keeps circling and throwing strikes to keep Burnell away as Burnell looks to close the distance. Borics throws big combinations and then jumps throwing a knee. Burnell finally gets the clinch, as the two of them fight against the cage. Borics breaks free and then unloads a few big strikes on Burnell as the bell ends the fight.
MyMMANews 10-9 Adam Borics
Official Decision: Adam Borics def. Mads Burnell via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45).
A bit of fun from both @AdamBorics and @Burnellmma 😅
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