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SAN JOSE, Calif. – Unbeaten Hungarian ace Adam Borics delivered the goods once again as he handed former Bellator featherweight champion Pat Curran his first stoppage loss and moved on to the quarterfinals of the Bellator featherweight grand prix tournament.
Borics (14-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) finished Curran (23-9 MMA, 13-6 BMMA) with strikes with one second left in the first round at Bellator 226 to extend his perfect professional record and add another big name to his growing resumé. And the 26-year-old Hungarian said he ignored the calls from his corner to get back to his feet after dropping Curran with a flying knee as he instead proceeded to follow his man to the mat and unload a barrage of ground and pound that forced referee Frank Trigg to end the contest with one second to go in the opening frame.
“The flying knee is my favorite movement, but I think the key was the calf kick, because he was hurt before the flying knee,” Borics said. “I was looking for the finish, He had never been finished (but) I did it, so I’m so happy.
“I heard my coaches and they said: ‘Leave there! Get up! Get up!’ and I was like, ‘No! No! I want to finish!’ Of course, it’s a good feeling to finish somebody. It’s much better than a decision. This is the best feeling in the world, I think, so I was happy.”
Borics admitted he had to curb his spectacular style a little against the more seasoned, cagey opponent who appeared to want to sit back and try to catch the young gun as he blitzed in. But “The Kid” said he knew he had to use his fight IQ to ensure he got the result he wanted.
“It’s hard to fight against somebody who doesn’t want to fight,” he said. “He just moves back and he doesn’t throw nothing. When I throw something, he moves back (and) it’s hard to make a good fight.
“I told everybody, I have to fight smart this time because he has a lot of experience. He’s a counter-fighter and I knew it. I was prepared for that. I kept my distance and listened to my coaches, so I am thankful for my team, at Hard Knocks 365. I have the best team in the world and I am so happy I can be part of the team.”
Still in the tournament and still unbeaten, Borics said he has already managed to shed any concerns about one day losing his “O.”
“When I was younger I was thinking ‘I don’t want to lose. I want to stay undefeated’ but I got more experience and if I think like that, it’s bad,” he said. “Of course, I want to be the first champion in MMA who retires undefeated. But it’s OK. I am more experienced now.”
And with his latest win safely secured, he explained that his sole focus now is on the challenge ahead, though he said he isn’t concerned about how the quarter-final draw later this month will play out.
“I don’t think about it, It doesn’t matter,” he said. “I just want to go back to my gym and my team and become a better martial artist.
“I will be ready for everybody.”
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