Adam Borics believes it’s his time — not Aaron Pico’s.
Adam Borics believes fans need to slow down when talking about Aaron Pico.
Borics, an undefeated featherweight who meets Pico at Bellator 222, said Pico is a “good fighter” but people think too highly of him. Bellator 222 takes place Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York.
“He has two or three good knockouts, but I think he is overrated,” Borics told Bloody Elbow. “Maybe he got too much hype. Maybe he got the most hype ever. I never saw like this, ‘Oh, he’s the future’ and everything. He got the knockouts and they are pushing him. I just want to show the world who deserves the hype.”
Borics, 25, was born in Hungary but now trains out of Hard Knocks 365 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is 3-0 under the Bellator banner since joining the promotion in 2017. All three of his wins have come by way of stoppage, including a highlight-reel flying knee.
Borics is coming off a submission of Josenaldo Silva, who has more than 30 professional fights. “The Kid” said he believes Pico is a “big step up in my career,” but that he is more than ready for what Pico brings to the table after fighting the veteran Silva. Pico is 4-2 as a pro fighter and is coming off a devastating knockout loss.
“I think my last fight was really tough. My opponent was really tough,” Borics said.
“[Pico] is a nice guy. He’s a good fighter. He’s young. But he doesn’t have experience like me.”
Borics respects Pico for what he’s already done in the sport, including four straight knockouts, but said perhaps the hype got to the Jackson-Wink MMA fighter.
“Maybe he couldn’t handle the pressure,” Borics said.
“He’s a top fighter, but it’s my time. This is my fight, not his fight. I am coming.”
Borics said he believes Pico may have a slight advantage on the ground, but that his own submission game has gotten a lot better recently. Borics said he is confident he’s better than Pico in the striking department, and that that’s where he’ll most likely get the job done.
“I think I am so strong at 145,” Borics said. “I am strong on the feet and my ground game is pretty good. Maybe he is better in grappling than me, but my ground game has improved a lot. Maybe I can get up or I can submit him. I don’t want to say I’m better than Aaron Pico; I just want to say I will beat him.”
Borics meets Pico on the preliminary card of Bellator 222, which is headlined by Rory MacDonald vs. Neiman Gracie for the welterweight title. The card will be streamed live on DAZN.