Marcelo Golm won eight of his first 11 fights, including seven first-round KO/TKOs, before signing with Bellator in 2021. He scored another first-round finish in his Bellator debut, defeating Billy Swanson at Bellator 265. He followed that up with a third-round submission of Davion Franklin at Bellator 283 but lost in his most recent bout at Bellator 293 – being stopped by his opponent tonight, Daniel James.

 

James is a 10-year veteran of MMA, still going strong even at 42 years of age. James has fought for various recognizable promotions over the world, returning to Bellator for a second stint in 2022. James, who has 13 stoppages in his 14 wins, including 10 knockouts, had a win against Tyrell Fortune overturned, but he followed that up with his win over Golm in their first fight. James most recently fought at Bellator 297 in June, dropping a decision to Gokham Saricam.

 

Will Golm get his revenge in this regular-season matchup? Or will James emphasize his arrival to the PFL with a win over a familiar foe?

 

Note: Due to missing weight, James enters this fight with a one-point deduction in the PFL heavyweight standings.

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kick from Golm. Right hand lands for Golm as James comes in. Low kick by Golm. Another low kick from Golm. Golm clinches up and quickly scores the takedown. Golm lands a couple of body shots on the ground. Golm showed good positioning, working over James on the ground with his striking.

 

 

James tried to sit himself up, using the fence, but Golm delivered a flurry of uppercuts. Golm manages to get into full mount. James tries to cage walk from the ground and nearly gets out, but Golm counters and gets back into a dominant position. James gets a hold of Golm’s legs, and now he’s got Golm sitting against the fence. James manages to get on top and land several right hands to the fence. James drives his knee into Golm’s leg. James continues to fire down right hands. The referee asks for an answer from Golm, and he looks close to stepping in. James continues to land, and Golm isn’t defending himself – or giving any sort of movement! The referee steps in with ONE SECOND to go in the first round!

 

 

 

Just like what happened when they met in Bellator, Daniel James pulls off a come-from-behind stoppage!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Daniel James defeats Marcelo Golm by 1st round TKO (4:59), earning 5 points in the PFL Heavyweight Division (6 points minus a 1-point penalty for missing weight).