CHICAGO – Daniel James received a hero’s welcome on his way to the cage Friday at Wintrust Arena, but it was Gokhan Saricam who walked away with a smile
On the Bellator 297 main card, Saricam (8-3 MMA, 4-3 BMMA) defeated James (15-7-1 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) with a wrestle-heavy game plan, much to the displeasure of those in attendance.
After a few big exchanges in the opening round, Saricam planted an aggressive James to the canvas and remained heavy on top. The fighters got up with both pressing the other against the fence.
The two visuals of cage-pushing and Saricam on top on the ground repeated throughout the bout. In Round 3, James mustered up the most success he found in the fight, as he pressed Saricam and threatened a front choke. But it was too little too late.
The boos rained down upon the final bell and Saricam was declared the victory in enemy territory.
The #Bellator279 main card is underway and it’s a hero’s welcome for Daniel James.
Results: https://t.co/OOmQIk0rN1 pic.twitter.com/l4mEHSd7JA
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 17, 2023
James, 41, rode a five-fight winning streak into the contest that included back-to-back victories over Tyrell Fortune and Marcelo Golm.
Saricam, 32, gets back on track after a unanimous decision loss to Oleg Popov in February.
The up-to-the-minute Bellator 297 results include:
- Gokhan Saricam def. Daniel James via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Pieter Buist via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Ramazan Kuramagomedov def. Jaleel Willis via knockout (knee and punches) – Round 1, 1:24
- Norbert Novenyi Jr. def. Kamil Oniszczuk via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:46
- Archie Colgan def. Emmanuel Sanchez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jordan Newman def. Matthew Perry via submission (Americana) – Round 1, 4:20
- Cody Law def. Edwin Chavez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 297.
