Hungary’s Adam Borics outstruck Mads Burnell in a thrilling main event at Bellator 276, then declared himself as the next man in line for a shot at the Bellator featherweight title.
The 145 world title will be contested by A.J. McKee and Patricio Pitbull at Bellator 277 in a rematch of their Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix final clash, and Borics staked his claim to face the winner with victory over Burnell in St. Louis on Saturday night.
“Look I am not even breathing!” he said after his unanimous decision win.
“The hard work pays off guys! I am next!
“I wanted to kick more, If I could have gotten two more calf kicks in, I think I could have taken him down. Mads is a tough guy.”
Another man with eyes on a possible title shot is former light heavyweight champion Phil Davis.
“Mr. Wonderful” defeated former title challenger Julis Anglickas by unanimous decision to cement his position as a top contender at 205 pounds, but his post-fight comments suggested he wasn’t fully sure on his next move.
“What’s next for me is an ice bath, two ibuprofens and we’ll go from there!” he smiled after his victory.
“I’d have to go up to heavyweight to fight Bader, and I hate to say it, but he looks pretty unstoppable at heavyweight.
“I’m just going to look to beat whoever they put in front of me.”
It was a big night for undefeated middleweight contender Johnny Eblen, who defeated former title challenger John Salter, then called for a shot at reigning middleweight champ Gegard Mousasi.
“Gegard Mousasi said he didn’t even know who I was,” he said following his win.
“He is an old ass lion, I’m a young-ass lion.
“It was a boring first round, but it’s motivation to get back to the drawing board so I can give fans a better show.”
