MMA Knockout

PFL San Antonio Exclusive: Daniel James Discusses Debut, Chicago Support, Adaptability

MMAKO exclusive interview with the PFL's Daniel 'The American Predator' James.

Zain Bando

PFL

Newly minted PFL heavyweight Daniel James will always be a Bellator fighter. Still, the Chicago native just wanted a chance to keep chasing a heavyweight title after the PFL purchased the previously Viacom-owned San Jose-based promotion ahead of the 2024 calendar year.

James (14-7-1, 1 NC MMA) will begin the quest for gold Thursday night in San Antonio, Tex. against a familiar foe in Marcelo Golm (13-6-1 MMA). James was initially scheduled to potentially rewrite a no-contest against Tyrell Fortune in the co-main event before Fortune was ruled out in a tweet Monday evening from the promotion.

Nevertheless, James said he is not concerned about the past and wants to focus on getting a victory.

“I’m just looking forward to the match,” James told MMA Knockout on March 20. “But I’m just ready. I’ll be ready.”

Staying ready has motivated James to keep competing for over a decade. When it was unclear what Bellator's future would look like post-Bellator 301 last November, the Chicago native considered returning to Europe, where he spent a few years competing under the ACA banner. But James didn’t let up.

“When I got the call about the [PFL] tournament and everything, I didn’t expect it,” James said. “I didn’t expect the call at all. I thought Bellator was going to be doing their shows like they were doing. I didn’t think I was going to be getting called for the tournament because it wasn’t on my mind. When I got the call, I just went with the flow. I’m an athlete, and I’m like, ‘Hey, thank God I was able to fight in the tournament.’ And, hell, if Bellator would have called me for the fight, I would have fought for Bellator.”

James credits his adaptability to mentally preparing for quick turnarounds, which the PFL season offers. Win or lose, James will have to fight in June or July, which is less than a three-month timeline.

“It is different,” James said, referencing the seasonal format. “But it’s always been my thing. I was used to fighting back-to-back. When I was over in Eastern Europe, and I was fighting, it was like we were used to fighting every other month like that. They had those things where, you know, you get in, and you get out, you get checked by doctors, and they might call you back in a month or two later.”

Now part of the PFL, James said he recognizes the importance of representing the City of Chicago well. Chicago remains the third largest media market in the country, and with MMA still growing in popularity, James wants to maintain the momentum on a big stage.

“I’m gonna rep Chicago regardless, you know,” James said. “I just think the sport of MMA for Chicago has really elevated. It’s things that I do in the city, not just in a fight energy but, like, the people know me in general, you know what I’m saying? I’m out there. People get to meet me. I’m not the guy to shy away or run away. You know, I’m around more musicians and other types of public figures than I am around fighters.”

Aligning with people with similar values is important to James, fully recognizing the brutality of the sport and the stereotypes it may receive from the outside world.

For now, James, who turned 42 on New Year’s Eve, said he wants to enjoy the ride while still playing the underdog role in the public eye.

“I just don’t want to send out the wrong message,” James said regarding his social media management. “And what you get from me is real. It’s real what you get from me. I ain’t gotta put on a script—anything. This is not a movie.”

James will headline the Early Card against Golm, which airs on ESPN+ and begins at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT. The main card will follow at the Boeing Center at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

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Zain Bando

ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of Fan Nation and the Sports Illustrated/The Arena Group umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA.  He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT.  A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99.