Arnold Adams
American mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer
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Arnold Adams (born July 9, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer. He currently competes in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, where he is the inaugural and a two-time BKFC Heavyweight Champion. As of April 4, 2025, he is tied at #4 in the BKFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.[1]
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
| Arnold Adams | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 9, 1985 Fairbanks, Alaska, United States |
| Other names | Bomaye |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 265 lb (120 kg; 18.9 st) |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Fighting out of | Oak Forest, Illinois, United States |
| Years active | 2018–2016 (MMA) 2018-present (Bare-knuckle boxing) |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 17 |
| Wins | 7 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 10 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Mixed martial arts career
Adams started his professional MMA career in 2008 and competed until 2016. Throughout his career, he compiled a 7-10 professional record.[2]
Bare-knuckle boxing career
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Heavyweight Tournament & BKFC Heavyweight Champion
In his BKFC debut Adams faced DJ Linderman in the Heavyweight Tournament Quarter-Finals, at the inaugural Bare Knuckle FC BKFC 1 event held on June 2, 2018. He won the bout via unanimous decision.[3]
Heading into the semi-final, Adams faced Joey Beltran at BKFC 2 on August 25, 2018. He won the fight by fourth-round technical knockout.[4] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[5]
Adams faced Sam Shewmaker in the heavyweight tournament final, at BKFC 3 on October 20, 2018. He won the bout via split decision to become the first BKFC heavyweight champion and Police Gazette Heavyweight American Champion.[6][7]
In his first title defense, Adams faced Chase Sherman at BKFC 7 on August 10, 2019. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[8]
Post-title reign
Adams faced Bobo O'Bannon at BKFC 16 on March 19, 2021. He won the fight via first-round knockout.[9][10] This fight earned him the Knockout of the Night award.[11]
Adams faced Mick Terrill at BKFC 19 on July 23, 2021. He won the bout via third-round knockout.[12]
Second title reign
Adams faced defending BKFC World Heavyweight Champion Joey Beltran in a rematch on November 6, 2021, at BKFC Fight Night 3.[13] He won the bout by unanimous decision, thus becoming BKFC Heavyweight Champion once again.[14]
Adams faced Dillon Cleckler on May 6, 2022, at BKFC 25. He won the bout by knockout in the second round to defend the title.[15] This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.[16]
Adams faced Alan Belcher at BKFC 36 on February 24, 2023.[17] He lost the title via third-round knockout.[18]
Adams faced Mick Terrill in a rematch for the vacant BKFC Heavyweight Championship on December 2, 2023, at BKFC 56.[19] He lost the bout by fourth-round knockout.[20][21]
Adams faced Leonardo Perdomo in the main event on July 12, 2025 at BKFC 78.[22] He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.[23]
Adams faced Leonardo Perdomo in a rematch on September 12, 2025 in the main event at BKFC 80.[24] He lost the fight again by knockout in the first round.[25]
Championships and accomplishments
Bare-knuckle boxing
- Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
- BKFC Heavyweight World Champion (Two times; inaugural)
- Police Gazette Heavyweight American Champion (One time)
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Joey Beltran 2[5]
- Knockout of the Night (Two times) vs. Bobo O'Bannon and Dillon Cleckler[11][16]
Mixed martial arts
- Hoosier Fight Club
- Hoosier FC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Fight Club OC
- FCOC Super Heavyweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| 17 matches | 7 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 3 |
| By submission | 1 | 2 |
| By decision | 2 | 5 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 7–10 | Don'Tale Mayes | TKO (submission to punches) | HFC 29 | June 4, 2016 | 5 | 3:09 | Hammond, Indiana, United States | Lost the Hoosier FC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–9 | Daniel James | TKO (punches) | HFC 27 | February 6, 2016 | 1 | 2:06 | Michigan City, Indiana, United States | Won the Hoosier FC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–9 | Aaron Noel | KO (knee) | Duneland Classic 9 | October 30, 2015 | 1 | 1:51 | La Porte, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 5–9 | Miodrag Petkovic | TKO (punches) | United Combat League: Cut Throat | September 19, 2015 | 3 | 1:13 | Hammond, Indiana, United States | |
| Loss | 4–9 | Leroy Johnson | Decision (unanimous) | Camp Lejeune: For the Leathernecks 4 | September 2, 2015 | 3 | 4:00 | Jacksonville, North Carolina, United States | For the FCOC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–8 | William Baptiste | Decision (unanimous) | FCOC: For the Leathernecks IV | May 8, 2015 | 3 | 4:00 | Jacksonville, North Carolina, United States | Won the vacant FCOC Super Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 3–8 | Robert Neal | Decision (unanimous) | Conflict MMA 20: Fight Club Series | September 27, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Macon, Georgia, United States | |
| Loss | 3–7 | Allen Crowder | Decision (unanimous) | RDMMA: Battle in the South 9 | August 2, 2014 | 3 | 4:00 | Wilmington, North Carolina, United States | |
| Win | 3–6 | Lindsay Rowse | Submission (verbal) | Conflict MMA 17: Havoc at the Civic Center 3 | April 26, 2014 | 1 | 2:38 | Savannah, Georgia, United States | |
| Loss | 2–6 | Allen Crowder | Submission (choke) | RDMMA: Battle in the South 8 | March 22, 2014 | 2 | 0:31 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 2–5 | Tomar Washington | Decision (split) | Conflict MMA: Carolina Cage Fights 16 | February 15, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | North Charleston, South Carolina, United States | |
| Loss | 1–5 | Adrian Henderson | Decision (unanimous) | Conflict MMA: Carolina Cage Fights 15 | December 7, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | North Charleston, South Carolina, United States | |
| Win | 1–4 | Joe Council | TKO (punches) | Conflict MMA: Carolina Cage Fights 13 | September 14, 2013 | 1 | 4:16 | North Charleston, South Carolina, United States | |
| Loss | 0–4 | Brandon Sayles | TKO (punches) | DPP: The Real Deal | January 15, 2010 | 1 | 3:21 | Columbus, Georgia, United States | |
| Loss | 0–3 | John Hawk | Decision (unanimous) | UMMAXX: All Heart, No Fear | August 15, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Akron, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 0–2 | Ed Carpenter | Submission (punches) | ISCF: Bad Intentions | December 13, 2008 | 1 | 3:42 | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Boban Simic | KO | C3: Domination | November 22, 2008 | 1 | 2:50 | Hammond, Indiana, United States |
Bare knuckle record
| 12 matches | 7 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 4 |
| By decision | 2 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 7–5 | Leonardo Perdomo | KO | BKFC 80 | September 12, 2025 | 1 | 1:09 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 7–4 | Leonardo Perdomo | KO | BKFC 78 | July 12, 2025 | 1 | 1:26 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 7–3 | Mick Terrill | KO (punches) | BKFC 56 | December 2, 2023 | 4 | 0:47 | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | For the vacant BKFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 7–2 | Alan Belcher | KO (punches) | BKFC 36 | February 24, 2023 | 2 | 0:34 | Kenner, Louisiana, United States | Lost the BKFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–1 | Dillon Cleckler | KO (punches) | BKFC 25 | May 6, 2022 | 2 | 0:34 | Orlando, Florida, United States | Defended the BKFC Heavyweight Championship. Knockout of the Night. |
| Win | 6–1 | Joey Beltran | Decision (unanimous) | BKFC Fight Night New York: Beltran vs. Adams | November 6, 2021 | 5 | 2:00 | Salamanca, New York, United States | Won the BKFC Heavyweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 5–1 | Mick Terrill | KO (punch) | BKFC 19 | July 23, 2021 | 3 | 0:38 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Bobo O'Bannon | TKO (punches) | BKFC 16 | March 19, 2021 | 1 | 1:58 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | Knockout of the Night. |
| Loss | 3–1 | Chase Sherman | Decision (unanimous) | BKFC 7 | August 10, 2019 | 5 | 2:00 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | Lost the BKFC Heavyweight Championship & Police Gazette Heavyweight American Championship. |
| Win | 3–0 | Sam Shewmaker | Decision (split) | BKFC 3 | October 20, 2018 | 5 | 2:00 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | Heavyweight Tournament Final, won the vacant BKFC Heavyweight Championship and vacant Police Gazette Heavyweight American Championship |
| Win | 2–0 | Joey Beltran | TKO (doctor stoppage) | BKFC 2 | August 25, 2018 | 4 | 0:09 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | D.J. Linderman | TKO (doctor stoppage) | BKFC 1 | June 2, 2018 | 2 | 2:00 | Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States |
