Arnold Adams


Arnold Adams 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.

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.
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.

Championships and accomplishments

Bare-knuckle boxing

  • Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
  • *BKFC Heavyweight World Champion
  • * Police Gazette Heavyweight American Champion
  • * Fight of the Night vs. Joey Beltran 2
  • * Knockout of the Night vs. Bobo O'Bannon and Dillon Cleckler

    Mixed martial arts

  • Hoosier Fight Club
  • *Hoosier FC Heavyweight Championship
  • Fight Club OC
  • *FCOC Super Heavyweight Championship

    Mixed martial arts record

Bare knuckle record