One of the biggest mysteries leading up to Bellator 286 was whether or not a champion would be crowned if Aaron Pico prevailed. After Pico's battle was over, the only remaining concern was, "How many times is too many to pop a shoulder back into place?"
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In the first round of their featherweight bout on Saturday in Long Beach, California, Pico appeared to dislocate his left shoulder, ending the fight in a bizarre and brutal fashion. Normally, that would have been the end of the fight, but Pico kept fighting while trying to pop his shoulder back into place.
After the first round ended, Pico's corner continued their impromptu medical treatment by attempting to fix his injured shoulder multiple times. It's possible that their efforts have made the situation worse for Pico rather than better.
Tonight's card will conclude with Patricio Pitbull challenging Adam Borics for the Bellator featherweight title. Starting with this victory over McKee, Pitbull began his third reign as featherweight kingpin. Over the past few years, Borics has quietly become one of Bellator's top fighters in what is widely considered to be the promotion's most competitive weight class.
First Round: Patricio Pitbull vs. Adam Borics
When Pitbull and Borics finally got down to business, it was slow going. Borics made good use of his height and reach to land a series of jabs and crosses on his opponent. Borics went for a flying knee but ended up on the floor after taking a right hook to the face. Just seconds later, however, Borics got back up and attempted his own takedown, but Pitbull quickly reversed and took guard. After Pitbull made no progress toward the centre of the ring, the referee brought the fighters back to their feet. Pitbull finished the round with a powerful right hook. Scorecard (not official): 10-9 Pitbull
Round 2 of Patricio Pitbull vs. Adam Borics:
Pitbull downplayed the significance of Round 2's reach disadvantage. Pitbull dominated the middle of the ring and outboxed Borics. Borics did a good job of varying his attacks, landing punches, kicks, and elbows to all of his targets, but Pitbull landed more frequently and with more force. Due to Pitbull's ability to land counter shots, Borics was limited to two-strike combinations. In the final minute of the round, Pitbull blocked a kick and knocked Borics out with a combination of punches. The unofficial score is Pitbull 10, No. 9. (20-18 overall for Pitbull)
Round 3 of Patricio Pitbull vs. Adam Borics:
When the two fighters were close in the beginning of Round 3, Borics tried several sneaky elbows and failed. Borics tried another jumping knee, but this time Pitbull came out on top. Soon after, Pitbull had gotten into full mount and was bonking Borics with open-handed strikes. Borics tried repeatedly to shuck off Pitbull, but failed each time. Pitbull appeared to slash along Borics' right eyebrow with an elbow. After Pitbull had taken his back, Borics stood up and gave him a light, illegal headbutt. Pitbull was pinned against the fence, but Borics managed to free himself. Borics repeatedly kneed his opponent in the stomach and legs. The unofficial score is Pitbull 10, No. 9. (30-27 overall for Pitbull)
Round 4 of Patricio Pitbull vs. Adam Borics:
In the second to last round, Borics was more successful when he stuck to his tried-and-true jabs, crosses, and leg kicks. Borics' range control was poor, and he rarely landed more than two counters in a row. Pitbull's low leg kick was particularly powerful, knocking Borics off balance. The champion nodded in response to a right hand from Borics. At the end of the round, Borics reacted to a couple of hard right hands from Pitbull. It was a close call in this one. The unofficial score is Pitbull 10, No. 9. (40-36 overall for Pitbull)
Case 5: Patricio Pitbull vs. Adam Borics
Pitbull felt the pressure as Borics fought alongside him for the first time. Before Pitbull re-entered the ring, Borics landed the second of a three-punch combination against the ropes. Pitbull finished off another three-punch combination with a left uppercut. There was a subsequent right hand that connected. Pitbull took what looked like a fatal blow from the follow-up shot, but Borics was put in a vulnerable position thanks to a flying knee. Although Pitbull maintained the back take for several minutes, Boric eventually turned around and landed a big takedown on him with 90 seconds left in the round. Pitbull came dangerously close to finishing the match from top position with a kimura armlock. The majority of the round's heavy blows were landed by Borics. A rough tally gives Borics a 10-9 edge (49-46 overall for Pitbull)
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