Arnold Adams

Arnold Adams
Born (1985-07-09) July 9, 1985 (age 41)
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Other namesBomaye
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight265 lb (120 kg; 18.9 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
Fighting out of
Oak Forest, Illinois, United States
Years active2018–2016 (MMA)
2018-present (Bare-knuckle boxing)
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins7
By knockout4
By submission1
By decision2
Losses10
By knockout3
By submission2
By decision5
Bare-knuckle boxing record
Total12
Wins7
By knockout5
Losses5
By knockout4
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

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 July 10, 2026, he is #5 in the BKFC Heavyweight rankings.

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.

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.

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. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

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.

In his first title defense, Adams faced Chase Sherman at BKFC 7 on August 10, 2019. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Post-title reign

Adams faced Bobo O'Bannon at BKFC 16 on March 19, 2021. He won the fight via first-round knockout. This fight earned him the Knockout of the Night award.

Adams faced Mick Terrill at BKFC 19 on July 23, 2021. He won the bout via third-round knockout.

Second title reign

Adams faced defending BKFC World Heavyweight Champion Joey Beltran in a rematch on November 6, 2021, at BKFC Fight Night 3. He won the bout by unanimous decision, thus becoming BKFC Heavyweight Champion once again.

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. This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.

Adams faced Alan Belcher at BKFC 36 on February 24, 2023. He lost the title via third-round knockout.

Adams faced Mick Terrill in a rematch for the vacant BKFC Heavyweight Championship on December 2, 2023, at BKFC 56. He lost the bout by fourth-round knockout.

Post championship

Adams faced Leonardo Perdomo in the main event on July 12, 2025 at BKFC 78. He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.

Adams faced Leonardo Perdomo in a rematch on September 12, 2025 in the main event at BKFC 80. He lost the fight again by knockout in the first round.

Adams faced Steve Banks on June 26, 2026 at BKFC Fight Night 41. He won the fight by knockout in the second round.

Championships and accomplishments

Bare-knuckle boxing

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
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

Professional record breakdown
12 matches 7 wins 5 losses
By knockout 5 4
By decision 2 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 8–5 Steve Banks KO (punches) BKFC Fight Night Hammond: VanCamp vs. Cisneros June 26, 2026 2 1:21 Hammond, Indiana, United States
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

References

  1. ↑ "BKFC Fighters - Pound for Pound Rankings". Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  2. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Arnold Adams". Sherdog. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  3. ↑ Anton Tabuena (June 3, 2018). "Bare Knuckle FC results: UFC vets Rodriguez, Rawlings and Beltran pick up wins". bloodyelbow.com.
  4. ↑ Marc Raimondi (August 25, 2018). "Bare Knuckle FC 2 results: Bec Rawlings wins split decision over Britain Hart, retains title". mmafighting.com.
  5. 1 2 BKFC (November 9, 2021). "BKFC New York Bonuses". instagram.com.
  6. ↑ "Bare Knuckle FC 3: The Takeover". mmasucka.com. October 20, 2018.
  7. ↑ Dan Hiergesell (October 20, 2018). "Bare Knuckle FC 3 live results stream, highlights for 'Adams vs Shewmaker' in Biloxi". mmamania.com.
  8. ↑ Segura, Danny. "BKFC 7 Results: Jim Alers stops Leonard Garcia, Chase Sherman wins heavyweight title". mmafighting.com. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  9. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (March 20, 2021). "BKFC 16 results, videos: Leonard Garcia retires following bloody win, Melvin Guillard protests controversial TKO". mmafighting.com.
  10. ↑ Christ, Scott (March 19, 2021). "BKFC 16 results and highlights: Leonard Garcia beats Joe Elmore, Reggie Barnett Jr stops DeMarcus Corley". Bad Left Hook.
  11. 1 2 BKFC (March 23, 2021). "BKFC 16 Bonuses". instagram.com.
  12. ↑ Segura, Danny (July 23, 2021). "BKFC 19 results: Rachael Ostovich avenges loss to Paige VanZant, wins decision in a five-round war". Yahoo Sports.
  13. ↑ "BKFC Fight Night NEW YORK". Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
  14. ↑ "BKFC Fight Night New York Results". MMA Sucka. November 6, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  15. ↑ "BKFC 25 Results: Adams Knocks Out Cleckler, Wins Belt". Combat Press. May 6, 2022.
  16. 1 2 BKFC (May 8, 2022). "BKFC 25 Bonuses". instagram.com.
  17. ↑ Dylan Bowker. "Arnold Adams vs Alan Belcher title fight set for BKFC 36". mymmanews.com.
  18. ↑ Matthew Wells (February 25, 2023). "BKFC 36 results: UFC veteran Alan Belcher rallies, knocks out Arnold Adams for heavyweight title". MMAjunkie.com.
  19. ↑ "Mike Perry vs. Eddie Alvarez headlines BKFC 56 in Salt Lake City on Dec. 2". mmafighting.com.
  20. ↑ Tucker, Bryan (December 2, 2023). "BKFC 56 Results: Perry vs. Alvarez". MMA Fighting.
  21. ↑ Samano, Simone (December 3, 2023). "BKFC 56 official results and prelims live video stream". MMA Junkie.
  22. ↑ Iskenderov, Parviz (April 28, 2025). "Leonardo Perdomo vs Arnold Adams headlines BKFC Hollywood in July". FIGHTMAG.
  23. ↑ ""Leonardo Perdomo Is a Bad Mother F***ER," Says BKFC 79 Heavyweight Stalwart". August 5, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Leonardo Perdomo vs Arnold Adams 2 headlines BKFC 80 Hollywood in September". FIGHTMAG. August 7, 2025.
  25. ↑ BKFC Staff (September 13, 2025). "BKFC 80 Results". bkfc.com. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  26. ↑ "BKFC Fight Night Hammond". BKFC. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  27. ↑ Staff (June 27, 2026). "BKFC Fight Night Hammond results". bkfc.com. Retrieved August 27, 2026.