Preview: PFL 1 2024

Heavyweight
Marcelo Golm (10-4) vs Daniel James (14-7-1)

Golm’s Thursday night just became more interesting. After previously being scheduled to fight Jordan Heiderman on the prelims, Golm was bumped up to the main card to replace Tyrell Fortune.

Golm doesn’t have to worry about game planning for a new opponent, though. You could say that he’s pretty familiar with James — considering that he was knocked out by him a year ago. Golm (10-3) was on a surge up the Bellator heavyweight rankings, riding a four-fight win streak before he met James at Bellator 293.

“The American Predator” was on a different trajectory. After electrifying the crowd in his Bellator debut, James’ knockout win over Fortune was overturned after a failed drug test. Needing a career-saving win, James signed to fight the dangerous Golm.

Throughout the bout, James and Golm traded momentum. Golm found a home for his knee in the clinch, but James saw that he had room for a short uppercut. In round three, one of those uppercuts dropped Golm to his knees and out on his head.

To win this unexpected rematch, either man will have to adjust on the fly. James and Golm have 17 knockouts between them, and one shot could end the other's night. Golm successfully passed James’ guard in the first fight and transitioned into full mount. If he stays cautious on the feet and works for takedowns, he could outgrind James en route to a decision win.

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Delija vs. Moldavsky
Goltsov vs. Vassell
Carmouche vs. Velasquez
Golm vs. James
The Prelims