Arnold Adams

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 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 Knockout of the Night (Two times) vs. Bobo O'Bannon and Dillon Cleckler

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 Loss

Don'Tale Mayes TKO (submission to punches) HFC 29

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

Daniel James TKO (punches) HFC 27

Michigan City, Indiana, United States Win

Aaron Noel KO (knee) Duneland Classic 9

La Porte, Indiana, United States Win

Miodrag Petkovic TKO (punches) United Combat League: Cut Throat

Hammond, Indiana, United States Loss

Leroy Johnson Decision (unanimous) Camp Lejeune: For the Leathernecks 4

Jacksonville, North Carolina, United States Win

William Baptiste Decision (unanimous) FCOC: For the Leathernecks IV

Jacksonville, North Carolina, United States Loss

Robert Neal Decision (unanimous) Conflict MMA 20: Fight Club Series

Macon, Georgia, United States Loss

Allen Crowder Decision (unanimous) RDMMA: Battle in the South 9

Wilmington, North Carolina, United States Win

Lindsay Rowse Submission (verbal) Conflict MMA 17: Havoc at the Civic Center 3

Savannah, Georgia, United States Loss

Allen Crowder Submission (choke) RDMMA: Battle in the South 8

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Tomar Washington Decision (split) Conflict MMA: Carolina Cage Fights 16

North Charleston, South Carolina, United States Loss

Adrian Henderson Decision (unanimous) Conflict MMA: Carolina Cage Fights 15

North Charleston, South Carolina, United States Win

Joe Council TKO (punches) Conflict MMA: Carolina Cage Fights 13

North Charleston, South Carolina, United States Loss

Brandon Sayles TKO (punches) DPP: The Real Deal

Columbus, Georgia, United States Loss

John Hawk Decision (unanimous) UMMAXX: All Heart, No Fear

Akron, Ohio, United States Loss

Ed Carpenter Submission (punches) ISCF: Bad Intentions

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Boban Simic KO C3: Domination

Hammond, Indiana, United States Bare knuckle record Win

Steve Banks KO (punches) BKFC Fight Night Hammond: VanCamp vs. Cisneros

Hammond, Indiana, United States Loss

Leonardo Perdomo KO BKFC 80

Hollywood, Florida, United States Loss

Leonardo Perdomo KO BKFC 78

Hollywood, Florida, United States Loss

Mick Terrill KO (punches) BKFC 56

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Loss

Alan Belcher KO (punches) BKFC 36

Kenner, Louisiana, United States Win

Dillon Cleckler KO (punches) BKFC 25

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Joey Beltran Decision (unanimous) BKFC Fight Night New York: Beltran vs. Adams

Salamanca, New York, United States Win

Mick Terrill KO (punch) BKFC 19

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Bobo O'Bannon TKO (punches) BKFC 16

Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Loss

Chase Sherman Decision (unanimous) BKFC 7

Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Win

Sam Shewmaker Decision (split) BKFC 3

Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Win

Joey Beltran TKO (doctor stoppage) BKFC 2

Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Win

D.J. Linderman TKO (doctor stoppage) BKFC 1

Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States