At Bellator 276, stakes are high, as European rising star hopes to challenge high-flying AJ McKee next

• Fast-rising European fighter Mads Burnell says he's one win away from an MMA title shot.
• Burnell competes in Bellator MMA and is targeting the winner of AJ McKee and Pitbull Freire.

LAS VEGAS — The heavy panting from physically-imposing wrestlers grappling one another in full-size cages can be heard on a regular basis at the Xtreme Couture MMA fight club, one of America's toughest gyms.

It is not uncommon to see combat sports champions from the past, like Ray Sefo, or today's rising UFC stars, like Khamzat Chimaev, after walking through the gym's Las Vegas doors.

An ever-brightening star, Bellator MMA contender Mads Burnell is a potential big name for the future, and the European featherweight is tapering down his camp ahead of a headlining bout at Bellator 276 on Saturday.

At the Family Arena in St. Louis, Burnell will fight Adam Borics atop a 12-bout card that will air on Showtime.

The stakes are high for Burnell as victory this weekend could propel him into a Bellator title fight against the winner of April's massive showdown between reigning champion AJ McKee, and former king Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire.

The 145-pound weight class, across all MMA circles, is hot right now, and the division in Bellator, Burnell argues, is the best in the entire promotion.

"When you look at who we got, it excites me," Burnell told Insider. "It's freaking cool that there's a lot of match-ups out there — firefights, and world-class fighters."

Insider reported at the time that McKee and Pitbull's first match last year was the most significant event in Bellator MMA history.

It brought together the king and veteran of the company, in Pitbull, and America's high-flying fighter McKee in a potential passing-of-the-torch bout, akin to Conor McGregor's demolition of Jose Aldo.

McKee, like McGregor, beat the long-reigning champ — and he did it in style.

When the 26-year-old returns to the cage to fight now, he'll do so while generating great buzz because of his status as a brutal finisher and the No.1 fighter that Bellator MMA has to offer.

For Burnell, he sees a case of repeat, rather than revenge, when McKee and Freire throw hands once again in San Jose on April 15.

"I don't see the second fight going any other way," said Burnell. "I see it going the same way because Pitbull is not that tall. He wants people to close the distance on him so he can counter.

"And AJ is tall, lanky …. He got power. I just think, stylistically, it's a nightmare for Pitbull to fight AJ."

A McKee win would bury the rivalry and leave him open to pursue another opponent, rather than campaign for a trilogy bout.

Though he said his focus is on Borics, Burnell believes he's poised to be that opponent.

"I think I'm one fight away" from challenging the McKee and Pitbull winner, he said.

Bellator 276 is Burnell's first appearance since re-signing with the company

Burnell has entered a significant period of his MMA career.

He's been around the domestic scene in Denmark, competed in the UFC, rebuilt his career in Britain, and returned to the big leagues for a run in Bellator.

His UFC bouts remain his biggest learning experience, as there was one fight he won, but felt like he lost, and one fight he lost, that he felt like he won. He told us he learned then that performing well, is as important as the result.

Entertainment value can go a long way in this game, he said.

Burnell's pro MMA record right now is 16 wins (one knockout, nine submissions, and six decisions) against three losses, but he's unbeaten since fighting under the Bellator banner.

The fight against Borics is the first since he signed a new deal with Bellator, a contract he's happy with, as "it's the most amount of money I've earned in my life."

Hitting his stride at 28 years old is "a combination of age, maturity, and figuring out how the game is done."

This weekend, he has to figure out Borics, someone, he said, "is a great kickboxer, athletic, and strong."

"He's in the position he's in now because he's good — no doubt about it. You're not in a title contender fight unless you're good, and he is good," Burnell said.

Burnell wants to get the win this weekend but doing so with a performance people will remember is more important.

The next few fights, and years, he said, are all about "checks and championships."