Josh Burns (born May 15, 1978) is an American[1] professional bare-knuckle boxer and former mixed martial artist.[2] Since 2022, he has competed for BYB Extreme. Burns currently competes for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
| Josh Burns | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 15, 1978 Lima, Ohio, United States |
| Other names | The Hammer |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 264 lb (120 kg; 18.9 st) |
| Division | Heavyweight (2006–present) Light Heavyweight (2012) |
| Reach | 74+1⁄2 in (189 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Dearborn, Michigan, United States |
| Team | Hammer House/ Darkside Boxing |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 18 |
| Wins | 8 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 10 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Mixed martial arts career
Bellator MMA
Burns faced TNA wrestler Bobby Lashley on September 5, 2014, at Bellator 123.[3] Burns lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.
Burns faced UFC vet Justin Wren at Bellator 141 on August 28, 2015.[4] Burns lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Bare-knuckle boxing
Burns has competed in bare-knuckle boxing since 2017. He was one of the first American fighters to compete in Bare Knuckle Boxing. Known for his KO power. Burns amassed an 8-5-2 record in the British promotion BKB™, before accurate record keeping was permitted.
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Burns faced Chris Sarro at BKFC 15 on December 11, 2020. He won his BKFC debut by second-round KO.[5]
Burns next faced Frank Tate in a BKFC heavyweight title eliminator at BKFC 17 on April 30, 2021. Burns lost by third-round technical knockout via doctor stoppage.[6]
Burns faced Sam Shewmaker at BKFC 21 on September 10, 2021. Burns won by first-round knockout.[7]
Burns is scheduled to face Sam Shewmaker in a rematch on August 3, 2024 at BKFC 63.[8]
BYB Extreme
Personal life
An Army veteran and is the head of a VIP security firm (JHB Security Services), Burns is a loving father of twelve children.
In October 2018, Burns was convicted for crimes relating to a health fraud case.[9]
Mixed martial arts record
| 18 matches | 8 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 5 |
| By submission | 2 | 4 |
| By decision | 2 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 8–10 | Josh Parisian | TKO (punches) | TWC Pro Series: Anderson vs. Veerella | November 12, 2016 | 2 | 1:50 | Lansing, Michigan, United States | |
| Loss | 8–9 | Justin Wren | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 141 | August 28, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Temecula, California, United States | |
| Loss | 8–8 | Bobby Lashley | Submission (rear naked choke) | Bellator 123 | September 5, 2014 | 2 | 3:54 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Loss | 8–7 | Raphael Butler | TKO (retirement) | Bellator 107 | November 8, 2013 | 1 | 2:14 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 8–6 | Matt Eckerle | TKO (punches) | Triple X Cagefighting: Legends 2 | October 19, 2013 | 1 | 0:15 | Mount Clemens, Michigan, United States | |
| Win | 7–6 | Jack Rome | Submission (punches) | GC: Gladiator Challenge | September 29, 2012 | 1 | 1:38 | San Diego, California, United States | Return to Heavyweight. |
| Loss | 6–6 | Rich Hale | TKO (punches) | Bellator 69 | May 18, 2012 | 1 | 0:38 | Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States | Light heavyweight debut. |
| Loss | 6–5 | Thiago Santos | Submission (rear naked choke) | Bellator 53 | October 8, 2011 | 1 | 2:23 | Miami, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 6–4 | Eric Prindle | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Bellator 40 | April 9, 2011 | 2 | 5:00 | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 6–3 | Jeffrey Kugel | TKO (punches) | IFL: The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre | February 18, 2011 | 1 | 2:52 | Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States | |
| Loss | 5–3 | Kelly Gray | TKO ( verbal submission ) | MMA Xplosion: Gunderson vs. Sharp | October 10, 2009 | 1 | 3:09 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 5–2 | Patrick Barrentine | Submission | MMA Big Show: Mayhem | September 12, 2009 | 1 | 2:20 | Florence, Indiana, United States | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Dave Hess | Submission (rear naked choke) | MMA Big Show: Retribution | March 7, 2009 | 3 | N/A | Florence, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Stephen Williams | Decision (split) | Poor Boy Promotions: Return to the River | January 26, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Phillip Hill | Decision (unanimous) | Poor Boy Promotions: Motown Madness | September 1, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | James Kilpatrick | Submission (north south choke) | Poor Boy Promotions: Rumble on the River 2 | April 21, 2007 | 2 | 4:41 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Matt O'Connor | KO (punches) | Poor Boy Promotions: Rooster Tail Fight Night 2 | August 5, 2006 | 1 | 3:22 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Gabriel Martinez | TKO (punches) | Poor Boy Promotions: Rumble on the River 1 | March 18, 2006 | 1 | 0:45 | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
Mixed martial arts amateur record
| Amateur record breakdown | ||
| 1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | Matt Goff | Submission (triangle choke) | KOTC: New Breed | March 7, 2009 | 2 | 1:22 | Mescalero, New Mexico, United States |
Bare-knuckle boxing record
| 14 matches | 6 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 5 |
| By decision | 0 | 3 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 6–8 | Levi Costa | Decision (unanimous) | BYB 11: Brawl in the Pines | August 10, 2023 | 5 | 3:00 | Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 6–7 | D. J. Linderman | TKO (referee stoppage) | BYB 11: Brawl in Doral | March 12, 2022 | 3 | 1:40 | Doral, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 6–6 | Tony Lopez | Decision (unanimous) | BYB 9: Tampa Brawl | March 12, 2022 | 5 | 3:00 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 6–5 | Sam Shewmaker | KO (punch) | BKFC 21 | September 10, 2021 | 1 | 0:19 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | |
| Loss | 5–5 | Frank Tate | TKO (corner stoppage) | BKFC 17 | April 30, 2021 | 3 | 1:02 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States | BKFC Heavyweight title eliminator. |
| Win | 5–4 | Chris Sarro | KO (punches) | BKFC 15 | December 11, 2020 | 2 | 0:18 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | |
| Loss | 4–4 | Daniel Podmore | TKO (doctor stoppage) | BKB 17 | June 8, 2019 | 3 | 2:00 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | |
| Loss | 4–3 | Tony Johnson | TKO (doctor stoppage) | BKB 13 | September 8, 2018 | 1 | N/A | London, England, United Kingdom | For the interim BKB World Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–2 | Adam Jenkins | KO | BKB 10 | March 24, 2018 | 1 | N/A | Liverpool, England, United Kingdom | |
| Loss | 3–2 | Mick Terrill | TKO (referee stoppage) | BKB 9 | January 13, 2018 | 5 | 2:00 | Liverpool, England, United Kingdom | For the BKB World Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 3–1 | Billy Hawthorn | KO | BKB 7 | September 9, 2017 | 2 | N/A | Liverpool, England, United Kingdom | |
| Win | 2–1 | Neil Derry | KO | BKB 6 | July 8, 2017 | 2 | N/A | Coventry, England, United Kingdom | |
| Win | 1–1 | Karl Cook | KO | BKB 5 | April 22, 2017 | 1 | N/A | Coventry, England, United Kingdom | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Hari Miles | Decision (unanimous) | BKB 4 | January 14, 2017 | 3 | 2:00 | Coventry, England, United Kingdom |