Career
Moontasri has competed in RFA and is currently signed with the UFC. James was also a silver medalist at the 2007 Pan American Games in taekwondo. Resurrection Fighting Alliance
With a 4–1 mixed martial arts record, Moontasri made his RFA debut on August 16, 2013, facing R.J. Clifford at RFA 9: Munhoz versus Curran. In his next fight, he faced Rick Reger at RFA 12: Ortega versus
Koch on January 24, 2014, submitting Reger via a rear-naked choke in the second round.
Foreign his third appearance with the promotion, Moontasri faced Jordan Rinaldi at RFA 15: Casey versus Sanchez on June 6, 2014.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Despite hurting Ellenberger in the first round, he would rally in the second and third rounds and Moontasri lost via split decision. 8 of 11 media outlets scored the bout for Moontasri, while 3 scored a draw.
He was then scheduled to face Jake Lindsey at UFC Fight Night: Henderson versus
Thatch on February 14, 2015. However, Lindsey pulled out of the bout because of an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Cody Pfister. Moontasri was dominate in the fight, finishing Pfister with a rear-naked choke in the second round.
Moontasri faced Kevin Lee on July 15, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 71.
He lost the fight via submission in the first round. Moontasri was expected to face Brendan O"Reilly in a welterweight bout on November 15, 2015 at UFC 193, filling in for an injured William Macário.
Subsequently, O"Reilly pulled out of the fight in the week leading up to the event citing injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Anton Zafir.