Juan Alejandro Arcienego-Adams (born January 16, 1992) is an American

mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, inc ...

(MMA) fighter and currently competes in the

heavyweight Heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports and professional wrestling. Boxing Professional Boxers who weigh over are considered heavyweights by 3 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the Wo ...

division of the PFL. Adams formerly competed in the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

(UFC).

Background

Adams was born in

Houston, Texas Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in ...

on January 16, 1992. He played

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...

, competed in

wrestling Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat ...

and was an

Eagle Scout Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. The Eagle Sc ...

during his high school years. During his senior year at

Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Strake Jesuit College Preparatory (properly referred to as Strake Jesuit or Jesuit but often informally called Strake by students and alumni) is a Jesuit, college-preparatory school for Single-sex education, boys, grades 9–12, in the Chinatown, ...

in Houston, Adams broke his hand and failed to get a collegiate football scholarship. Thus, he turned his focus to wrestling. He was offered a scholarship from

Virginia Military Institute la, Consilio et Animis (on seal) , mottoeng = "In peace a glorious asset, In war a tower of strength""By courage and wisdom" (on seal) , established = , type = Public senior military college , accreditation = SACS , endowment = $696.8 mill ...

Lexington, Virginia Lexington is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 7,320. It is the county seat of Rockbridge County, although the two are separate jurisdictions. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines ...

. Upon graduation, he received

NFL The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the major ...

tryouts for a

defensive linemen In gridiron football, a lineman is a player who specializes in play at the line of scrimmage. The linemen of the team currently in possession of the ball are the offensive line, while linemen on the opposing team are the defensive line. A numbe ...

position from the

Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. The Colts compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) South division. Since the 2008 ...

and

Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...

, without success. Being 6-foot-5 and over 300 pounds, he turned his focus to

MMA Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on strike (attack), striking, grappling and ground f ...

, since he had started training at Paradigm Training Center during his break from university in his hometown. Adams took his first amateur MMA fight after he graduated with a

computer science Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to Applied science, practical discipli ...

degree. He won the fight and knew being a mixed martial artist would be his choice for his career.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Adams began his professional MMA career in 2017 and fought in

Legacy Fighting Alliance Legacy Fighting Alliance is an American mixed martial arts promotion, created as a result of the ''Legacy Fighting Championship'' and ''Resurrection Fighting Alliance'' merger in early 2017. History Resurrection Fighting Alliance On October 11, ...

and amassed a record of 3-0 prior to competing in Dana White's Contender Series 15.

Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series

Adams appeared in Dana White's Contender Series 15 on July 31, 2018, facing Shawn Teed. He won the fight via

technical knockout A knockout (abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, a ...

in round one and was signed by UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Adams made his UFC debut on December 15, 2018 against

Chris de la Rocha Chris de la Rocha (born May 15, 1979) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division. He most notably fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background De La Rocha was born in San Jose, California, United St ...

UFC on Fox 31 ''UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2'' (also known as ''UFC on Fox 31'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on December 15, 2018 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Backgr ...

, He won the fight via technical knockout in round three. His next fight was on May 4, 2019 at

UFC Fight Night 151 ''UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 151'' or ''UFC on ESPN+ 9'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship held on May 4, 2019 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontari ...

against

Arjan Bhullar Arjan Singh Bhullar (born May 13, 1986) is an Indo-Canadian mixed martial artist currently competing in the heavyweight division of ONE Championship, where he is the current ONE Heavyweight World Champion. He has also competed in the Ultimate ...

. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Adams faced

Greg Hardy Gregory McKarl Hardy (born July 28, 1988) is an American former football defensive end, mixed martial artist and professional boxer who played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons, primarily with the Carolina Panthers. He played ...

on July 20, 2019 at

UFC on ESPN 4 UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards (also known as ''UFC on ESPN 4'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on July 20, 2019 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Background The event ma ...

. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one. Adams faced

Justin Tafa Justin Tafa (born December 13, 1993) is a New Zealand-born Australian mixed martial arts fighter of Samoan heritage, currently competing in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Early life Tafa was born in Auckland, New ...

on February 8, 2020 at

UFC 247 ''UFC 247: Jones vs. Reyes'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on February 8, 2020 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, United States. Background A UFC Light Heavyweight Championship ...

. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. On February 12, 2020, Adams revealed he had been released from the UFC. Later it was clarified that Adams fought out his rookie contract and it was not renewed.

Post-UFC career

Adams signed with ARES Fighting Championship in late February 2020. Despite the contract with ARES, Adams ended up facing Jeremy Hardy at Fury FC 46 on May 16, 2021. He won the fight via first-round technical knockout. He was then scheduled to face Juan Torres at Fury FC 47 on June 20, 2021, but the fight was cancelled. Adams faced Eric Lunsford at Fury FC 48 on July 25, 2021. He won the fight via first-round

rear naked choke The rear naked choke (RNC) is a chokehold in martial arts applied from an opponent's back. The word "naked" in this context suggests that, unlike other strangulation techniques found in jujutsu/judo, this hold does not require the use of a keikogi ...

submission.

Fury FC Heavyweight Champion

Adams challenged Richard Odoms for the Fury FC Heavyweight Championship at Fury FC 49 on August 29, 2021, he won the fight by third round TKO. Adams made a defence of his Fury FC Heavyweight Championship against

Austen Lane Austen D. Lane (born November 9, 1987) is a former American football defensive end and current mixed martial artist. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Murray State. ...

at Fury FC 54 on November 21, 2021. He lost the bout and title via a 4th round TKO stoppage. Adams faced

Aaron Rosa Aaron Isaac Rosa (born May 28, 1983) is an American former professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 2005 until 2013, he has competed for the UFC, Bellator, ShoXC, and Strikeforce. Background Born and raised in the borde ...

at Fury FC 56 on February 6, 2022. Adams won the bout in the first round via ground and pound TKO.

Professional Fighters League

Adams faced Sam Kei on June 24, 2022 at PFL 5. He won the fight via TKO in the second round. Adams, replacing Denis Goltsov, faced Matheus Scheffel in the Semifinals of the Heavyweight tournament on August 13, 2022 at PFL 8. Adams lost the bout via TKO stoppage in the third round.

Championships and accomplishments

*Fury Fighting Championship **Fury FC Heavyweight Championship (one time; former)

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 10–5 , Matheus Scheffel , TKO (punches) , PFL 8 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:45 ,

Cardiff Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...

, Wales , , - , Win , align=center, 10–4 , Sam Kei , TKO (punches) , PFL 5 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:30 ,

Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–4 ,

, TKO (punches) , Fury FC 56 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:08 ,

San Antonio, Texas ("Cradle of Freedom") , image_map = , mapsize = 220px , map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = United States , subdivision_type1= State , subdivision_name1 = Texas , subdivision_t ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 8–4 ,

, TKO (punches) , Fury FC 54 , , align=center, 4 , align=center, 0:43 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–3 , Richard Odoms , TKO (punches) , Fury FC 49 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–3 , Eric Lunsford , Submission (rear naked choke) , Fury FC 48 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:27 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–3 , Jeremy Hardy , TKO (punches) , Fury FC 46 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:59 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 5–3 ,

, TKO (punches) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:59 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 5–2 ,

, TKO (punches) , UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:45 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 5–1 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Ottawa Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 5–0 ,

, TKO (punches) , UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 0:58 ,

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at th ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–0 , Shawn Teed , TKO (punches) , Dana White's Contender Series 15 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:09 ,

Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , Dwight Gipson , TKO (submission to punches) , LFA 32 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:09 ,

Lake Charles, Louisiana Lake Charles (French: ''Lac Charles'') is the fifth-largest incorporated city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, and the parish seat of Calcasieu Parish, located on Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River. Founded in 1861 in Calcasieu ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Brice Ritani-Coe , TKO (punches) , LFA 26 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:33 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Chris Rose , TKO (punches) , LFA 14 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:11 ,

, United States , , -

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Juan 1992 births Living people Heavyweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Sportspeople from Houston American male mixed martial artists American male sport wrestlers VMI Keydets wrestlers American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters