Daniel James (fighter)

Daniel James (born December 31, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Bellator MMA.

Background
Growing up on the west side of Chicago, James resided in his childhood in neighbourhoods that were filled with violence and drugs. However, he was able to avoid getting involved in them through athletics and sports. He gained his nickname, "The American Predator", from his uncle due to his characteristic dreadlocks. He spends much of his free time running programs for children to keep them out of trouble.

James has a very successful career as a fitness trainer at Reach Fieldhouse in Chicago, where he runs multiple fitness programs. Likewise, he travelled the world as a former celebrity bodyguard, still partaking in the endeavor from time to time, like for the rapper Twista.

Early career
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.

Absolute Championship Akhmat
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.

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.

James faced Daniel Omielańczuk on April 23, 2021 at ACA 122, losing the bout via unanimous decision.

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.

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.

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.

Bellator MMA
A heavyweight bout between Davion Franklin on May 6, 2022 at Bellator 280. However, James failed an out of competition drug test and was pulled from the bout.

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. The bout was later overturned to a no contest after James tested positive for an anabolic substance on a test before the bout.

James faced Marcelo Golm on March 31, 2023 at Bellator 293. He won the fight via technical knockout in the third round.

James faced Gökhan Saricam on June 16, 2023 at Bellator 297. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

James was scheduled to face Ali Isaev on November 17, 2023 at Bellator 301. The week of the event, the bout was scrapped for unknown reasons.

PFL
James was set to debut with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) at PFL 1 on April 4, 2024, in a rematch against Tyrell Fortune. 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. James missed weight, so he was fined a percentage of his purse and given a point deduction in the standings.

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.

Personal life
James has four children, two sons and two daughters.