Introduction
Nathan Noel James (born May 29, 1978) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional from 2006 until 2014, he also competed for Strikeforce.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
James turned professional in 2006 and spent the majority of his early fights in smaller promotions. He would compete against the likes of Justin Levens, Jared Hess, Rudy Bears, Eric Schambari and Jorge Ortiz. With a record of 11–6, 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
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 23 matches | 14 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 0 |
| By submission | 4 | 4 |
| By decision | 8 | 4 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 14–8–1 | Anthony Ruiz | Decision (split) | Bellator 125 | September 19, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Fresno, California, United States | |
| Loss | 13–8–1 | Derek Brunson | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers: Britt vs. Sayers | November 18, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 13–7–1 | Danillo Villefort | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte | August 12, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 12–7–1 | Marcus Sursa | Decision (unanimous) | Undisputed MMA 1 | June 18, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 11–7–1 | Tyler Stinson | Decision (split) | Bellator 40 | April 9, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | Welterweight bout. |
| Win | 11–6–1 | James Vainikolo | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Xtreme MMA 3 | November 5, 2010 | 1 | N/A | Sydney, Australia | |
| Win | 10–6–1 | Jorge Ortiz | Decision (split) | C3 Fights: Knockout-Rockout Weekend 3 | June 19, 2010 | 3 | 3:00 | Concho, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 9–6–1 | Eric Schambari | Decision (majority) | Slammin Jammin Weekend 3 | May 9, 2009 | 3 | 3:00 | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 9–5–1 | Rick Reeves | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Wargods/Ken Shamrock Productions: The Valentine's Eve Massacre | February 13, 2009 | 3 | 2:07 | Fresno, California, United States | |
| Win | 9–4–1 | Alijah Reni | Decision (unanimous) | War Gods | September 12, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Salinas, California, United States | |
| Loss | 8–4–1 | B.J. Lacy | Decision (split) | War Gods | July 26, 2008 | 3 | 3:00 | Fresno, California, United States | |
| Loss | 8–3–1 | Rudy Bears | Submission (rear-naked choke) | CCCF: Battle on the Border | March 29, 2008 | 1 | 0:39 | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 8–2–1 | Billy Tilk | TKO | CCCF: Contenders 3 | March 15, 2008 | 3 | 0:41 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Draw | 7–2–1 | Jared Hess | Draw | CCCF: Heroes | February 16, 2008 | 3 | N/A | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 7–2 | Keith Richards | Decision (unanimous) | CCCF: Contenders | January 19, 2008 | 3 | 3:00 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 6–2 | Izzy Johnson | Submission (triangle choke) | XFC: Battlegrounds | November 10, 2007 | 3 | 2:52 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 5–2 | Justin Levens | Decision (unanimous) | IFO: Wiuff vs. Salmon | September 1, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 4–2 | Jody Lithicum | Submission (rear-naked choke) | CCCF: Riverwind Rumble 2 | July 28, 2007 | 1 | 2:00 | Norman, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 3–2 | Jimmy Johnson | Decision (unanimous) | CCCF: Showdown 2 | July 20, 2007 | 3 | 3:00 | Concho, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 2–2 | Tom Jones | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Freestyle Cage Fighting 10 | April 7, 2007 | 2 | 2:09 | Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 2–1 | Joseph Edwards | TKO (punches) | Masters of the Cage 5 | October 14, 2006 | 1 | 1:41 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 1–1 | Troy Allison | Submission | Masters of the Cage 4 | September 23, 2006 | 1 | 2:04 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 0–1 | Ruben Zamarron | Submission | Oklahoma MMA | May 20, 2006 | 1 | 1:31 | Ardmore, Oklahoma, United States |