Adam Borics (20-3 MMA, 2-1 PFL) has something in common with his opponent for Friday night’s PFL Madrid: Both Borics and AJ McKee (23-2 MMA, 2-1 PFL) crossed over from Bellator MMA when the PFL bought the now-defunct promotion in late 2023. This week, their paths cross in the SmartCage.

Friday, Borics, the No. 4 contender at 145 lbs, squares off with McKee, the No. 2 contender in the featherweight ranks, in the co-main attraction for PFL Madrid. The event is headlined by a PFL Middleweight Championship rematch between current titleholder Costello van Steenis (17-3 MMA, 7-2 PFL) and challenger Fabian Edwards (16-4 MMA, 3-1 PFL.)

Father Time is always undefeated, however. He’ll wait for no man, and Adam Borics is no exception to the rule. He’s 32 years of age and will turn 33 the first week of July.

Adam Borics Considering Switch to Lightweight Ranks

Last spring, Borics trekked to the Music City of Nashville, TN for an alternate fight in the featherweight bracket of the 2025 PFL World Tournament. That June night, he secured a majority decision victory against Jeremy Kennedy (21-7, 1 NC MMA, 2-4, 1 NC PFL.)

Borics’ victory came two months after he was eliminated from the featherweight tournament field proper by way of first-round knockout (punches) from Jesus Pinedo (25-8-1 MMA, 5-3 PFL.) After his tournament alternate fight, he mentioned that he’d like to move up to 155 lbs.

In the final days before PFL Madrid, Adam Borics revisited the topic of a possible move to the lightweight division again in an interview with MMA Fighting.

“I’m thinking already for, like, four years, to move up to 155,” Adam Borics said. “I think maybe this is the last year for me at 145.”

Adam Borics on Dietary Concerns at Featherweight

Another reason why Adam Borics has entertained the possibility to go to the 155-lb division: Diet reasons and muscle growth. He explained his rationale thusly:

“I just need more time to make featherweight,” he mentioned. “I need a strict diet for that. I’m not the kind of guy who eats (expletive deleted) outside of camp. I’m just growing, you know? I have more muscle now every year.”

High Stakes Battle for Adam Borics vs. AJ McKee at PFL Madrid Friday Night

Although the Borics vs. McKee fight on Friday is a co-main event, there’s plenty on the line for both men. The victor of the PFL Madrid co-headliner is going to find himself on the fast track to the currently-vacant PFL Featherweight Championship.

For Adam Borics, now is the time to get into the driver’s seat for the featherweight belt before a move to lightweight takes place.

“I think this fight gets me for the title fight,” he mentioned. “I think when I beat AJ, and the way I’m planning to beat him, I think it puts me in a really good position [to fight for the title.]

Final Thoughts: Adam Borics vs. AJ McKee One of Weekend’s Best Fights

While the UFC is holding its annual card in London on Saturday night, MMA fans the world over would be wise not to dismiss the action going on in Madrid 24 hours before UFC London takes place. PFL Madrid has two cracking fights at the top of the bill.

In the main event of the evening, you have a rematch between van Steenis and Edwards at middleweight, right after the AJ McKee vs. Adam Borics fight in the co-main attraction. With both McKee and Borics within shouting distance of a championship fight, expect the 15 minutes [or less] of action to provide some pretty awesome cinema.

You may not need an $8 ticket at a theater to see this one, but one thing’s for sure: Get your popcorn ready for the PFL Madrid co-main event before the command to fight is given. You won’t want to miss one second of this fight.