In the Bellator 286 main event, featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull stepped into the Bellator cage to defend his title for the first time since regaining it from AJ McKee at Bellator 277 in April. Challenging him will be No. 2 ranked featherweight contender Adam Borics. ‘The Kid’ has earned four straight wins via decision with plans to make it five-straight in his world title bid on Saturday night.
Round 1
Both fighters come out for the opening round sizing up one another. Borics lands a left followed by a calf kick. Pitbull returns fire with a calf kick. Boric lands a solid kick to the body. Borics goes for a flying knee but misses and ends up on the canvas with Pitbull taking his back. Borics gets back to his feet and is able to break the grip, creating separation. Borics initiates a clinch but ends up on his own back. Pitbull delivers some body shots while in Borics’ guard. Borics holds on to prevent further damage. With the fighters at a stalemate, the referee stands them up. Back on their feet, Pitbull lands a nice right hand as the round comes to a close.
Round 2
They come out trading kicks to open the second round. Borics throws a combination but eats a right hand in retaliation from Pitbull. Borics lands a solid leg kick. He lands two more as Pitbull patiently waits to counterstrike. 1-2 by Borics. Pitbull counters driving Borics back allowing Pitbull to get him to the ground. Pitbull holds the position in half guard until the bell sounds.
Round 3
In the opening moments of the third, Borics throws another flying knee. Pitbull catches him in mid-air and secures an early takedown. Pitbull is able to move into full mount quickly. Pitbull maintains the position, landing a solid elbow that encourages Borics to roll to his back. Borics gets back to his feet with Pitbull clinging on like a backpack. Borics throws what appears to be a blatant head strike. Borics gets a warning. ‘The Kid’ is able to shake off Pitbull and reverse position. The two remained tied up along the fence as the round comes to an end.
Round 4
Borics comes out throwing a series of leg kicks to open the fourth. Pitbull remains content to counter. Borics continues to stalk, landing leg kicks. Pitbull throws a leg kick, throwing ‘The Kid’ off balance. Pitbull lands a right hand. Pitbull offers little offense as Borics continues to work the leg and throw off-target strikes. Borics lands a left, then a 1-2 followed by a straight jab that hits the mark. As the 10-second warning sounds, the two clinch of attempting to steal the round, but neither is able to capitalize.
Round 5
Borics quickly backs up Pitbull to the fence with a solid combination of strikes. Pitbull circles out, returning to the center of the cage as Borics pursues. ‘The Kid’ lands a solid three-punch combo followed by a 1-2 that lands. Borics goes for the flying knee once again. He misses allowing Pitbull to dump him on the canvas and immediately takes Borics’ back. Borics gets back to his feet as Pitbull rides his back. Borics frantically breaks the grip, reverses position, and scores a takedown on Pitbull. Unable to capitalize, Pitbull scrambles back to his feet. Pitbull grabs Borics’ arm, threatening a kimura. Moving to defend, Borics ends up in the bottom position as the round comes to a close.
Official Result: Patricio Pitbull defeats Adam Borics via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 50-45)
Check Out Highlights From Patricio Pitbull vs. Adam Borics Below:
👀 @PatricioPitbull counters the flying knee. #Bellator286 is LIVE on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/XBf3wZFPTI
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 2, 2022
👀 We are inching closer to those championship rounds in tonight's main event.
With 2️⃣ rounds down, do you score this featherweight championship bout for @PatricioPitbull or @AdamBorics?#Bellator286 continues LIVE NOW on @SHOSports. pic.twitter.com/1PLyvcofzn
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 2, 2022
🔥 Another reversal from @PatricioPitbull.#Bellator286 is LIVE on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/h2OgScWNmQ
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 2, 2022
Both these fighters are giving their all!#Bellator286 is LIVE on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/s5CJOQ0kCi
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 2, 2022
Flying knees don't fly with @PatricioPitbull 😤@BellatorMMA #Bellator286 pic.twitter.com/GAQ1QoGFpk
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) October 2, 2022
📊 By The Numbers#AndStill Featherweight World Champion, @PatricioPitbull dominates over @AdamBorics in the #Bellator286 main event. pic.twitter.com/lUEzlIKKA3
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 2, 2022
#AndStill 🇧🇷 @PatricioPitbull retains his featherweight world title once again.#Bellator286 pic.twitter.com/DOdAE3JKAx
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 2, 2022
