Arnold "Bomaye" Adams: BKFC's Inaugural Heavyweight Champion
Arnold Adams is the inaugural and two-time BKFC Heavyweight Champion. He won the promotion's first heavyweight title at BKFC 3 in October 2018, lost it in 2019, then reclaimed it from Joey Beltran in November 2021. His reported bare-knuckle record is 7-5, making him one of the defining figures of BKFC's early heavyweight division.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arnold Adams |
| Nickname | Bomaye |
| Born | July 9, 1985 |
| Hometown | Fairbanks, Alaska, USA |
| Weight Class | Heavyweight |
| MMA Record | 7-10 (reported) |
| BKFC Record | 7-5 (reported) |
| Notable Titles | BKFC Heavyweight Champion (2x, inaugural) |
| Organization | BKFC |
Overview
Arnold Adams holds a distinction no other fighter can claim: he was the first man to win a BKFC heavyweight title. Born in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1985, Adams competed in MMA from 2008 to 2016 with a modest reported record of 7-10 before finding his real calling in bare-knuckle boxing. Standing 6'3" and competing around 265 pounds, he is a genuine heavyweight whose power and reach defined the top of the division in BKFC's opening years.
His "Bomaye" nickname, drawn from the famous chant for Muhammad Ali, suits a fighter who became a cornerstone of BKFC. Adams won the inaugural heavyweight belt, lost it, then won it back, becoming a two-time champion in the process. His rivalry with Joey Beltran helped establish the heavyweight class as one of the promotion's marquee divisions before bigger names arrived.
BKFC Career
Winning the Inaugural Title
Adams captured the first BKFC Heavyweight Championship at BKFC 3 on October 20, 2018, defeating Sam Shewmaker by split decision in the heavyweight tournament final. The win also carried the Police Gazette Heavyweight American Championship, formally tying the new promotion to bare-knuckle's historical lineage. As the division's first champion, Adams set the standard that contenders would chase for years.
Losing the Belt to Chase Sherman
His first reign was short. In his opening title defense at BKFC 7 on August 10, 2019, Adams lost a unanimous decision to Chase Sherman, surrendering the belt he had just won. The loss sent the heavyweight title on a path that eventually ran through Joey Beltran, setting up the rivalry that would define Adams' second act.
Reclaiming the Title
Adams returned to the summit on November 6, 2021, defeating defending champion Joey Beltran by unanimous decision to become a two-time BKFC heavyweight champion. The fight earned Fight of the Night honors. He defended the reclaimed title against Dillon Cleckler at BKFC 25 on May 6, 2022, scoring a second-round knockout that also earned Knockout of the Night.
Later Career
The reign did not last. Adams faced Alan Belcher at BKFC 36 in February 2023 and lost by second-round knockout. His later career has been difficult, with reporting indicating a run of losses by knockout that dropped him out of the rankings. His overall BKFC record is reported at 7-5, a ledger that still includes two heavyweight title reigns and multiple defining wins.
Fighting Style
Adams is a classic heavyweight built around size, reach, and power. At 6'3" and roughly 265 pounds, he carries genuine knockout ability in both hands, and his title defense against Dillon Cleckler showed what happens when he lands clean: a second-round finish that earned Knockout of the Night honors. His early title wins, by contrast, came on the cards, showing he could also box his way through a full fight when the finish did not arrive.
In bare knuckle, heavyweight power is amplified by the absence of large gloves, and Adams' frame let him dictate range against most opponents. The flip side is that the same conditions punish a fighter once his durability fades, which is reflected in the run of knockout losses that has marked his later career. Heavyweight bare knuckle is a division where one clean shot ends nights, and Adams has been on both sides of that math.
Notable Fights
| Date | Opponent | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 20, 2018 | Sam Shewmaker | BKFC 3 | W - SD (won inaugural title) |
| Aug 10, 2019 | Chase Sherman | BKFC 7 | L - UD (lost title) |
| Nov 6, 2021 | Joey Beltran | BKFC Fight Night | W - UD (won title) |
| May 6, 2022 | Dillon Cleckler | BKFC 25 | W - KO Rd 2 (title defense) |
| Feb 2023 | Alan Belcher | BKFC 36 | L - KO Rd 2 |
Records and dates above are drawn from public BKFC and fight-database reporting; his overall BKFC record is reported at 7-5.
Legacy
Arnold Adams' legacy is written into the foundation of BKFC. As the first heavyweight champion in promotion history, he helped define what the division would mean, and his two title reigns make him one of a small group of fighters to hold a BKFC belt more than once. His rivalry with Joey Beltran gave the early heavyweight picture its central storyline, a back-and-forth that ran across years and multiple events.
That he came to bare knuckle with a losing MMA record and turned it into championship gold says something about how the sport rewards a specific skill set. Power, durability, and ring composure matter more here than a polished all-around game, and Adams had the tools that translated. His arc sits alongside other early BKFC champions like light heavyweight titlist Mike Richman, and for fighters weighing the same path, the financial context appears in the BKFC fighter pay guide. The later losses do not erase what Adams built: he was first, and he was champion twice.
FAQ
What is Arnold Adams' BKFC record?
His BKFC record is reported as 7-5, including two reigns as heavyweight champion.
Was Arnold Adams the first BKFC heavyweight champion?
Yes. Adams won the inaugural BKFC Heavyweight Championship at BKFC 3 in October 2018 by defeating Sam Shewmaker.
How many times was Arnold Adams a BKFC champion?
Twice. He won the inaugural title in 2018 and reclaimed it from Joey Beltran in November 2021.
Why is Arnold Adams called "Bomaye"?
The nickname comes from the famous "Ali, bomaye" chant, a fitting tag for a heavyweight known for his punching power.
