Aidan James (©BRAVE Combat Federation)

Aidan James, 25, of Merthyr Tydfil, Wales is ready to return to the BRAVE Combat Federation stage. What is stopping him, like all mixed martial artists, is the ongoing new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Competing professionally since 2017, James joined the BRAVE CF in 2018. In his most recent bout in the Bahrain-based MMA promotion, he lost his undefeated professional MMA record.

“The last fight wasn’t brilliant for me obviously,” James told BRAVE CF color commentator Phil Campbell at BRAVE CF Live Chats on Instagram. “It was a devastating loss and it knocked my confidence a bit.”

Training at Chris Rees Academy in Swansea, Wales, James fought Cameron “Camchida” Else, 29, of Kent, England in the bantamweight division at “BRAVE 24: London” at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, England on July 25, 2019. The English fighter knocked out his Welsh opponent.

“It has taken me a while to rebuild and get back to it but I don’t think it has taken me off my path,” James said. “Now, I see an opportunity for me to come back and show what I can do and show everyone else, as well, but we have this coronavirus issue now so patience pays off.”

James is widely recognized as one of the biggest MMA prospects at bantamweight and with a record of 4 wins and 1 loss, he has three finishes to his name including two devastating wins under the BRAVE CF banner. Since losing to Else, the Welshman has not fought and has dedicated himself to grow as a martial artist instead of getting a swift return after a loss.

While James has had to wait for his much anticipated return, he remains very much a student of the game, always doing research and watching tape and the scouting process doesn’t restrict his own division. The Chris Rees Academy product said, “I keep a look at fighters that have the same body type as I have regardless of divisions.”

“I feel I can learn a lot,” James continued. “I also look at flyweights because I always feel they can come up an challenge us at bantamweight but I also keep an eye on the featherweights.”

“I train a lot with 66 kg fighters and I can see myself going up in the future especially at BRAVE CF because they always get us on nice hotels with a nice buffet and my coach Chris Rees eats a lot all week,” James laughed. “I want to eat the food at the buffets, too.”