Bellator 276’s Adam Borics, Mads Burnell Embracing Pressure

Adam Borics and Mads Burnell know what is at stake.

Borics and Burnell collide Saturday at Bellator 276 in the main event. The bout will serve as a title-eliminator in the featherweight division.

All the action airs live on Showtime from St. Louis.

For Borics, this is a chance to finally return to the cage. He hasn’t competed since improving to 17-1 with an April 2021 win over Jeremy Kennedy.

“I haven’t fought in almost a year and I’m excited. I just want to fight now. I train a lot and I just want to show my skillset,” Borics said. “Always my upcoming fight is the most important fight of my life. Nothing changes for me.

“I think this is great timing for me. It’s a great process for me. I don’t think I’ll fight five rounds, but I’ve prepared for five rounds. For me, this is the title fight. This is the mentality I have.” 

Overall, Borics has won three in a row since a loss to Darrion Caldwell in 2020. He owns victories over Pat Curran, Aaron Pico and Erick Sanchez. 

“I’ve improved a lot. I still haven’t shown all of my skillset in my fights. I know that I’m one of the best in the world at 145 pounds and I’m ready,” Borics said. “I don’t feel any extra pressure. I love fighting and I just want to go out there and fight.

“I always wanted to put Hungary on the map of MMA and I think I’ve done that. I’m very proud to be the biggest fighter in Hungary. My main reason for fighting is to make my country proud.” 

Burnell has reeled off seven consecutive wins, moving his record to 16-3. He topped Emmanuel Sanchez last July and has not lost since his 2018 bout in the UFC vs. Arnold Allen.

“I’ve been feeling the same as any other fight. They always say the next fight is your most important fight. But this fight week I’ve been feeling fresher than ever. It just seems everything is coming together,” Burnell said. “A fight is a fight. I always prepare for a tough match and come in there trying to be my best every time.”