Professional Fighters League heavyweight Daniel
James has been suspended 10 months after testing postive for a
banned substance.
According to a statement from USADA, James tested positive for
bis-(4-cyanophenyl) methanol — a metabolite of letrozole — in an
out-of-competition sample collected on May 8. Letrozole, which is
listed in the class of hormone and metabolic modulators, is
primarily used to treat breast cancer in women but can also be used
to prevent unwanted side effects from steroid use.
A positive test for letrozole typically comes with a 12-month
sanction, but James was given a reduced suspension for his full and
complete cooperation, according to USADA. As a result, he will be
able to return to active competition on March 8, 2025. James has
twice failed drug tests while competing under the Bellator
MMA banner, including one instance that led to his November
2022 victory over Tyrell
Fortune being overturned to a no contest.
James made his PFL debut on April 4, where he earned a first-round
technical knockout victory against Marcelo
Golm at the promotion’s first regular season event of 2024.
“American Predator” was supposed to return to action on June 13 in
a rematch against Fortune, but James withdrew from the contest. The
42-year-old has compiled a 15-7-1 mark over the course of a career
that began in 2014.