Nate James (fighter)

Nathan Joel James (born May 29, 1978) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Middleweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, James has also competed in Strikeforce.

Mixed martial arts career

Turning professional in 2006, James spent the majority of his earlier fights in smaller promotions, where he would face the likes of Justin Levens, Jared Hess, Rudy Bears and Eric Schambari. With a record of 11 wins and 6 losses, he made his Bellator debut.

Bellator

James made his Bellator debut on April 9, 2011 against Tyler Stinson at Bellator 40. James lost the fight via split decision.

Strikeforce

After picking up a win in a smaller show, James made his debut for Strikeforce at Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte on August 12, 2011. He faced Danillo Villefort and won via unanimous decision.

In his next appearance for Strikeforce, James faced then-undefeated Derek Brunson on November 18, 2011 at Strikeforce Challengers: Britt vs. Sayers. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Return to Bellator

After a long layoff, James stepped in as a replacement to face seasoned veteran Anthony Ruiz at Bellator 125 after Ruiz's original opponent, Rafael Carvalho, was moved up to the main card to face Brian Rogers. James won the fight via split decision.

Mixed martial arts record

|- |Win |align=center|14–8–1 |Anthony Ruiz |Decision (split) |Bellator 125 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Fresno, California, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|13–8–1 |Derek Brunson |Decision (unanimous) |Strikeforce Challengers: Britt vs. Sayers | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|13–7–1 |Danillo Villefort |Decision (unanimous) |Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|12–7–1 |Marcus Sursa |Decision (unanimous) |Undisputed MMA 1 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Amarillo, Texas, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|11–7–1 |Tyler Stinson |Decision (split) |Bellator 40 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Win |align=center|11–6–1 |James Vainikolo |Submission (rear-[...] choke) |Xtreme MMA 3 | |align=center|1 |align=center|N/A |Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | |- |Win |align=center|10–6–1 |Jorge Ortiz |Decision (split) |C3 Fights: Knockout-Rockout Weekend 3 | |align=center|3 |align=center|3:00 |Concho, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|9–6–1 |Eric Schambari |Decision (majority) |Slammin Jammin Weekend 3 | |align=center|3 |align=center|3:00 |Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|9–5–1 |Rick Reeves |Submission (rear-[...] choke) |Wargods/Ken Shamrock Productions: The Valentine's Eve Massacre | |align=center|3 |align=center|2:07 |Fresno, California, United States | |- |Win |align=center|9–4–1 |Alijah Reni |Decision (unanimous) |War Gods | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Salinas, California, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|8–4–1 |B.J. Lacy |Decision (split) |War Gods | |align=center|3 |align=center|3:00 |Fresno, California, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|8–3–1 |Rudy Bears |Submission (rear-[...] choke) |CCCF: Battle on the Border | |align=center|1 |align=center|0:39 |Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Win |align=center|8–2–1 |Billy Tilk |TKO |CCCF: Contenders 3 | |align=center|3 |align=center|0:41 |Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Draw |align=center|7–2–1 |Jared Hess |Draw |CCCF: Heroes | |align=center|3 |align=center|N/A |Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Win |align=center|7–2 |Keith Richards |Decision (unanimous) |CCCF: Contenders | |align=center|3 |align=center|3:00 |Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Win |align=center|6–2 |Izzy Johnson |Submission (triangle choke) |XFC: Battlegrounds | |align=center|3 |align=center|2:52 |San Antonio, Texas, United States | |- |Win |align=center|5–2 |Justin Levens |Decision (unanimous) |IFO: Wiuff vs. Salmon | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|4–2 |Jody Lithicum |Submission (rear-[...] choke) |CCCF: Riverwind Rumble 2 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:00 |Norman, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Win |align=center|3–2 |Jimmy Johnson |Decision (unanimous) |CCCF: Showdown 2 | |align=center|3 |align=center|3:00 |Concho, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|2–2 |Tom Jones |Submission (rear-[...] choke) |Freestyle Cage Fighting 10 | |align=center|2 |align=center|2:09 |Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Win |align=center|2–1 |Joseph Edwards |TKO (punches) |Masters of the Cage 5 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:41 |Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Win |align=center|1–1 |Troy Allison |Submission |Masters of the Cage 4 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:04 |Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|0–1 |Ruben Zamarron |Submission |Oklahoma MMA | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:31 |Ardmore, Oklahoma, United States |