Daniel James (fighter)

Debuting at in 2014 at Bellator 112 against Erick Correa, a bout in which he won via second round retirement, James went 7–3–1 fighting around the American Midwest scene, facing such opponents like Daniel Gallemore.

After going 2-0 in the LFA with impressive knockouts against Calyn Hull via second round knockout on September 21, 2018 at LFA 50 and Patrick Martin via TKO stoppage at the end of the first round on May 24, 2019 at LFA 67, James advanced to the finals of the LFA Heavyweight tournament against Brett Martin. However, the bout for the vacant LFA Heavyweight Championship against Martin on September 27, 2019 at LFA 77, ended in controversy as Martin missed weight for the bout coming in at 272.6 pounds, 6.6 lbs over the weight limit, and James went on to lose the bout via disqualification in the 5th round after throwing illegal knees against the fence.{{Cite web |last=Frankl |first=Mika |date=2019-09-28 |title=LFA 77 Results- Main Event Ends In Controversy |url=https://mymmanews.com/lfa-77-results-main-event-ends-controversy/ |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=mymmanews.com |language=en-US}}

James signed with the Absolute Championship Akhmat, making his promotional debut against Ruslan Magomedov at ACA 101: Strus vs. Nemchinov on November 15, 2019, losing the fight via unanimous decision.{{cite web |date=November 15, 2019 |title=Uitslagen : ACA 101 : Warsaw |url=https://mmadna.nl/uitslagen-aca-101-warsaw/ |website=mmadna.nl |lang=nl}}

In his sophomore appearance against Michal Martínek on November 26, 2020 at ACA 114: Omielańczuk vs. Johnson, James would win the bout in the second round, trapping his opponent in a crucifix and finishing the bout via elbows and punches.{{Cite web |title=ACA 114: Deák aj Martínek tvrdo narazili {{!}} VIDEO ukončení |url=https://sportnet.sme.sk/spravy/aca-114-deak-aj-martinek-tvrdo-narazili-video-ukonceni/ |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=sportnet.sme.sk |language=sk}}

James faced Daniel Omielańczuk on April 23, 2021 at ACA 122, losing the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=ACA 122 - Johnson vs. Poberezhets |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/ACA-122-Johnson-vs-Poberezhets-88941 |access-date=2021-04-24 |website=Sherdog}}

James would rebound against Tomas Pakutinskas on September 11, 2021 at ACA 128: Goncharov vs. Omielańczuk, winning the bout at the end of the first round as Pakutinskas submitted due to punches.{{Cite web |title=T.Pakutinskas po nokautu pralaimėtos kovos: "Atrodo, tarsi kažkas ištrynė kelias minutes iš mano gyvenimo" |url=https://www.sportas.lt/naujiena/440285/t-pakutinskas-po-nokautu-pralaimetos-kovos-atrodo-tarsi-kazkas-istryne-kelias-minutes-is-mano-gyvenimo |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=sportas.lt}}

James faced Raphael Pessoa at November 18, 2021 at ACA 132: Johnson vs. Vakhaev, winning the bout via ground and pound TKO in the second round.{{cite web |date=2021-11-19 |title=ACA 132 Results - Johnson vs Vakhaev |url=https://mmasucka.com/2021/11/19/aca-132-results/ |access-date=2021-11-19 |website=MMA Sucka |language=en}}

In what would be his last bout with the promotion, James faced Denis Smoldarev on February 26, 2022 at ACA 136: Bukuev vs Akopyan, winning the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-26 |title=Дэниел Джеймс техническим нокаутом победил Дениса Смолдарева на ACA 136 |url=https://mma.metaratings.ru/news/deniel-dzheyms-tekhnicheskim-nokautom-pobedil-denisa-smoldareva-na-aca-136-1210224/ |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=mma.metaratings.ru |language=ru}}

A heavyweight bout between Davion Franklin on May 6, 2022 at Bellator 280.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-24 |title=Unbeaten heavyweight Davion Franklin meets Daniel James at Bellator 280 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/03/bellator-280-unbeaten-heavyweight-davion-franklin-meets-daniel-james-paris |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} However, James failed an out of competition drug test and was pulled from the bout.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-14 |title=Daniel James off Bellator 280 in Paris due to positive drug test |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/04/bellator-280-daniel-james-vs-davion-franklin-positive-drug-test |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}

James faced Tyrell Fortune on November 18, 2022, at Bellator 288, pulling off a comeback and finishing Fortune in the second round via ground and pound.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-19 |title=Bellator 288 video: Daniel James blasts Tyrell Fortune, finishes with vicious ground-and-pound |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/11/bellator-288-video-daniel-james-tko-tyrell-fortune-with-ground-and-pound |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} The bout was later overturned to a no contest after James tested positive for an anabolic substance on a test before the bout.{{Cite web |last=Morehouse |first=Cade |date=2023-11-20 |title=Tyrell Fortune Says Bellator 288 Fight with Daniel James Ruled No Contest Due to Failed Drug Test |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/11/20/tyrell-fortunes-bellator-288-daniel-james-no-contest/ |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

James faced Marcelo Golm on March 31, 2023 at Bellator 293.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-23 |title=Marcelo Golm vs. Daniel James, Cat Zingano vs. Leah McCourt headline Bellator 293 on March 31 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/01/bellator-293-marcelo-golm-vs-daniel-james-cat-zingano-vs-leah-mccourt-headline-march-31 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} He won the fight via technical knockout in the third round.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/04/01/bellator-293-marcelo-golm-daniel-james/|title=Bellator 293: after slow start, Daniel James erupts to stop Marcelo Golm in third|website=Cageside Press|author=Jay Anderson|date=2023-03-01|access-date=2023-03-01}}

James faced Gökhan Saricam on June 16, 2023 at Bellator 297.{{Cite web |last=FightBookMMA |date=2023-04-12 |title=BELLATOR 297: Nemkov vs. Romero adds 8 more fights |url=https://www.fightbookmma.com/bellator-297-nemkov-vs-romero-adds-8-more-fights/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=FightBook MMA |language=en-US}} He lost the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-17 |title=Bellator 297 results: Gokhan Saricam spoils Chicago homecoming for Daniel James |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/06/bellator-297-results-gokhan-saricam-vs-daniel-james-homecoming-chicago |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}

James was scheduled to face Ali Isaev on November 17, 2023 at Bellator 301.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-13 |title=Bellator 301 set for Chicago: 2 title fights, including Sergio Pettis vs. Patchy Mix, grand prix semifinal, grudge rematch |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/09/bellator-301-fight-card-amosov-vs-jackson-pettis-vs-mix |access-date=2023-09-14 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} The week of the event, the bout was scrapped for unknown reasons.{{Cite web |last=Guillen |first=Adam |date=2023-11-13 |title=Bellator 301 loses not one, but two fights on the same day |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2023/11/13/23959844/bellator-301-loses-two-fights-on-the-same-day-velasquez-james-pitbull-mckee-amosov-mma |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=MMAmania.com |language=en}}

James was set to debut with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) at PFL 1 on April 4, 2024, in a rematch against Tyrell Fortune.{{cite web|url=https://combatpress.com/2024/03/pfl-announces-first-three-events-for-the-2024-regular-season/|title=PFL Announces First Three Events for the 2024 Regular Season|date=March 12, 2024|author=Timothy Wheaton|publisher=combatpress.com}} However, Fortune withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Marcelo Golm in a rematch bout that James won by technical knockout at the end of the first round.{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=2024-04-04 |title=2024 PFL 1: Delija vs. Moldavsky Full Results |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/04/04/2024-pfl-1-delija-vs-moldavsky-full-results/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Daniel James pulls off comeback KO with one second left in first round |url=https://pflmma.com/news/daniel-james-pulls-off-comeback-ko-with-one-second-left-in-first-round |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=pflmma.com}} James missed weight, so he was fined a percentage of his purse and given a point deduction in the standings.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=PFL 1 Weigh-in Results: Ante Delija, Valentin Moldavsky Official for Main Event |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/PFL-1-Weighin-Results-Ante-Delija-Valentin-Moldavsky-Official-for-Main-Event-193191 |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}

James was then again set to rematch Fortune this time at PFL 4 on June 13, 2024, but withdrew from the bout due to an unknown reason and was replaced by Marcelo Golm.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/05/pfl-heavyweight-season-changes-connecticut-tyrell-fortune-vs-marcelo-golm-daniel-james-out|title=Continuation of PFL's heavyweight season gets two changes in Connecticut|date=May 20, 2024|work=MMAjunkie.com}}

On September 17, 2024, it was announced that James tested positive for bis-(4-cyanophenyl) methanol, a metabolite of letrozole, as the result of an out-of-competition sample collected on May 8, 2024. He was suspended for 10 months for this infraction, making him eligible to return on January 8, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Damon |date=2024-09-17 |title=PFL heavyweight Daniel James suspended 10 months after 3rd failed drug test in 2 years |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/9/17/24247448/pfl-heavyweight-daniel-james-suspended-10-months-after-3rd-failed-drug-test-in-2-years |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}

James has four children, two sons and two daughters.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtASt4_uMkA|title= MMA Fighter Daniel "The Predator" James |date=September 17, 2013|via=YouTube|author=YouAndMeThisMorning}}{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8cDQELuI1Y|title= Daniel James Interview with Ken Chronicles Media|date=February 21, 2023|via=YouTube|author=Ken Chronicles Media}}

{{MMArecordbox

|ko-wins=11

|sub-wins=3

|dec-wins=1

|ko-losses=1

|sub-losses=1

|dec-losses=5

|dq-losses=1

|draws=1

|nc=1

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|15–8–1 (1)

|Marek Samociuk

|Decision (unanimous)

|Rizin: Otoko Matsuri

|{{dts|2025|May|04}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Tokyo, Japan

|{{small|2025 Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal; James missed weight (266.3 lb).}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|15–7–1 (1)

|Marcelo Golm

|TKO (punches)

|PFL 1 (2024)

|{{dts|2024|April|4}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:59

|San Antonio, Texas, United States

|{{small|Catchweight (267 lb) bout; James missed weight.}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|14–7–1 (1)

|Gökhan Saricam

|Decision (unanimous)

|Bellator 297

|{{dts|2023|June|16}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Chicago, Illinois, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|14–6–1 (1)

|Marcelo Golm

|TKO (punches)

|Bellator 293

|{{dts|2023|March|31}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|0:26

|Temecula, California, United States

|

|-

|{{nocontest}}NC

|align=center|{{nowrap|13–6–1 (1)}}

|Tyrell Fortune

|NC (overturned)

|Bellator 288

|{{dts|2022|November|18}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|0:27

|Chicago, Illinois, United States

|{{small|Originally a TKO (punches and elbows) win for James; overturned after he tested positive for anabolic substance.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|13–6–1

|Denis Smoldarev

|TKO (punches)

|ACA 136

|{{dts|2022|February|26}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:41

|Moscow, Russia

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|12–6–1

|Raphael Pessoa

|TKO (punches)

|ACA 132

|{{dts|2021|November|18}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:14

|Minsk, Belarus

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|11–6–1

|Tomas Pakutinskas

|TKO (submission to punch)

|ACA 128

|{{dts|2021|September|11}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:34

|Minsk, Belarus

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|10–6–1

|Daniel Omielańczuk

|Decision (unanimous)

|ACA 122

|{{dts|2021|April|23}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Minsk, Belarus

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|{{nowrap|10–5–1}}

|Michal Martínek

|TKO (elbows and punches)

|ACA 114

|{{dts|2020|November|26}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|3:32

|Łódź, Poland

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|9–5–1

|Ruslan Magomedov

|Decision (unanimous)

|ACA 101

|{{dts|2019|November|15}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Warsaw, Poland

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|9–4–1

|Brett Martin

|DQ (illegal knees)

|LFA 77

|{{dts|2019|September|27}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|1:12

|Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States

|{{small|For the vacant LFA Heavyweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|9–3–1

|Patrick Martin

|TKO (punches)

|LFA 67

| {{dts|2019.05.24}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:45

|Branson, Missouri, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|8–3–1

|Calyn Hull

|KO (punches)

| LFA 50

| {{dts|2018|September|21}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|0:32

|Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|7–3–1

|Zach Rosol

|Submission (kimura)

|Victory FC: Fight Night Waterloo 2

|{{dts|2017.11.22}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|4:58

|Waterloo, Iowa, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|6–3–1

|Daniel Gallemore

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|Victory FC 57

|{{dts|2017|May|5}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:24

|Topeka, Kansas, United States

|{{small|For the Victory FC Heavyweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|6–2–1

|Chris Beal

|TKO (punches)

|Xtreme Fighting Organization 60

|{{dts|2017.03.11}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|0:38

|Chicago, Illinois, United States

|

|-

|{{draw}}Draw

|align=center|5–2–1

|John Hawk

|Draw (majority)

|Big Guns 21

|{{dts|2016.11.19}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Tallmadge, Ohio, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|5–2

|Arnold Adams

|TKO (punches)

|Hossier FC 27

|{{dts|2016.02.06}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:06

|Michigan City, Indiana, United States

|{{small|For the Hoosier FC Heavyweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|5–1

|Pat Harman

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|Hossier FC 25

|{{dts|2015.09.25}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:33

|Hammond, Indiana, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|4–1

|Jason Walraven

|Submission (kimura)

|Super Brawl Showdown 1

|{{dts|2015.01.30}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:55

|Phoenix, Arizona, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|3–1

|Aaron Ware

|Decision (unanimous)

|Xtreme Fighting Organization 54

|{{dts|2014.11.22}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Chicago, Illinois, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|2–1

|Ryan Pokryfky

|TKO (punches)

|Xtreme Fighting Organization 53

|{{dts|2014.10.11}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|3:38

|Chicago, Illinois, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|1–1

|Leroy Johnson

|Decision (unanimous)

|NAAFS: Fight Night In The Flats 10

|{{dts|2014|06|07}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Cleveland, Ohio, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|1–0

|Erick Correa

|TKO (retirement)

|Bellator 112

|{{dts|2014|March|14}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|4:30

|Hammond, Indiana, United States

|{{small|Heavyweight debut.}}

|-

{{end}}

{{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=Daniel James|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Daniel-James-147707|website=Sherdog}}

• List of current Rizin Fighting Federation fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

{{reflist}}

• {{Sherdog|147707}}
• {{Bellator|2507}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:James, Daniel}}

Category:1981 births

Category:Living people

Category:American male mixed martial artists

Category:Doping cases in mixed martial arts

Category:Heavyweight mixed martial artists

Category:Bellator male fighters