Daniel Straus

Daniel Mason-Straus (born July 27, 1984), is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Featherweight division. He previously competed in Bellator MMA, where he is the former two-time Bellator Featherweight Champion. A professional competitor since 2009, Straus has also formerly competed for Shark Fights.

Background Straus was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in the nearby suburb of Sycamore Township. Straus came from a troubled household and by the time he was a junior in high school he was living on his own and supporting himself, which included involvement in criminal activities. Straus was a highly successful and highly controversial high school wrestler at Sycamore High School. As a freshman in the (112 lbs.) weight class, Straus was an alternate for the state tournament and in his sophomore season he went 2–2 in the state tournament. In his junior season, Straus finished third in the state in Division I (135 lbs.) and in his senior year he was ruled academically ineligible and missed the second half of the season (including the state tournament). However, he was given a wild card berth into the NHSCA Senior Nationals (high school senior national championship) and won the tournament. Straus is considered by some in the Ohio wrestling media to be one of the best Ohio wrestlers of the decade (2001–2010) and one of the greatest Ohio high school wrestlers to never win a state title. In addition to wrestling, Straus also played soccer and ran for the track and field team in high school. After graduating, Straus moved to Florida and worked in maintenance, but was arrested on robbery charges and was incarcerated from 2004 to 2007.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Straus returned to Cincinnati after his release from prison and was introduced to mixed martial arts by a friend who was a former high school wrestling opponent. He invited Straus to come train with him at Team Vision and Straus made his professional debut in February 2009.

Bellator MMA Straus made his Bellator debut on June 24, 2010, at Bellator 23 where he defeated Chad Hinton via unanimous decision.

In January 2011, Bellator announced that Straus would be part of the Bellator Season Four Featherweight Tournament. In the quarter-finals, Straus fought Nazareno Malegarie. Straus defeated Malegarie via unanimous decision to move on to the semifinals and give Malegarie the first loss of his career. The fight won Fight of the Night honors.

At Bellator 41, Straus competed in the semifinals of the Season Four Tournament against Kenny Foster. Straus controlled the fight for the first two rounds before he finished Foster via guillotine choke submission and moved on to the finals of the tournament. Straus met Patricio Freire in the Season Four Tournament Final at Bellator 45. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Straus returned in the Bellator Season Six Featherweight Tournament that started on March 9, 2012. He defeated Jeremy Spoon via unanimous decision in the opening round at Bellator 60. In the semifinal round, Straus faced Mike Corey at Bellator 65 and again won by unanimous decision. In the finals, Straus faced Marlon Sandro at Bellator 68 and won via unanimous decision. This win earned him a title shot and rematch against Featherweight Champion Pat Curran, who had previous beaten Straus in 2009.

At Bellator 78, Straus took a fight to keep himself busy while waiting for his title shot. He fought Royce Gracie black belt, Alvin Robinson, defeating him via submission in the second round.

Straus was scheduled to face Pat Curran on April 4, 2013, for the Featherweight Title at Bellator 95. However, on February 26, it was announced that Straus had broken his hand and had to pull out of the fight.

The Featherweight Championship fight between Curran and Straus took place on November 2, 2013, at Bellator 106. Straus won the fight by unanimous decision to become the new Bellator Featherweight Champion.

Straus is scheduled to face Pat Curran for the third time at Bellator 112 on March 14, 2014. Straus publicly expressed his displeasure in having to face Curran again so soon after beating him, going so far as to say he believes Bellator wants Curran as champion. However, he also stated it is his job to fight and he welcomed the bout. At the weigh ins for Bellator 112, Straus had to cut his hair to make weight. He lost the bout via rear naked choke in the fifth round.

Straus faced Justin Wilcox in the main event at Bellator 127 on October 3, 2014. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Straus challenged Patrício Freire for the Bellator Featherweight Championship in a rematch at Bellator 132 on January 16, 2015. Freire won the back-and-forth fight in the fourth round via a rear-naked choke submission.

Straus faced undefeated prospect Henry Corrales at Bellator 138 on June 19, 2015. He won the fight via submission in the second round.

Straus had a third fight with Freire on November 6, 2015, at Bellator 145. He won the fight via unanimous decision to reclaim the Bellator Featherweight Championship.

Over a year since his last fight, Straus returned to defend his title against Freire in a fourth fight in the main event at Bellator 178 on April 21, 2017. After a back-and-forth first round, Straus lost the bout via a submission due to a guillotine choke early in the second round.

Straus faced Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 184 on October 6, 2017. He lost the fight via triangle choke submission in the third round.

After a 17-month long layoff due to severe injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident, Straus returned to the cage on March 29, 2019, at Bellator 219 and faced Shane Krutchen. He was victorious by way of first round submission.

Straus next faced Derek Campos in the opening round of the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix at Bellator 226 on September 7, 2019. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

On July 10, 2021, it was announced that he was no longer under contract with Bellator.

Post Bellator Straus faced Keith Richardson on October 23, 2021, in the co-main event of XMMA 3. He lost the bout via TKO due to ground and pound.

Bare-knuckle boxing

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Straus made his debut against boxer Dat Nguyen at BKFC 38 in the main event and lost by unanimous decision in the sixth round after the first five rounds were ruled a draw.

Straus faced former UFC fighter Jimmie Rivera in the main event at BKFC 61 on May 11, 2024. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Personal life Straus has a daughter.

On March 1, 2013, Straus was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Florida after his vehicle was pulled over. He faced charges of driving with a suspended license, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, more than three grams of synthetic cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of MDMA.

In the early morning hours of December 17, 2017, Straus was involved in an accident while riding his Suzuki GSX-R1000 motorcycle on State Road 7 in Dade County, Florida. He was unconscious for an unknown amount of time, and was unable to move his extremities upon regaining consciousness. His passenger was able to get help and Straus was transported to hospital. Although no alcohol was involved, it is still unknown what caused the accident. His passenger was unharmed. It would take eight months and extreme physical therapy before Straus could walk again on his own. Once able to move again without assistance, Daniel Straus made the decision to get back into physical shape and continue his professional MMA career. His long journey back culminated with his comeback fight at Bellator 219 on March 29, 2019, a bout which he won via submission.

On February 6, 2021, Straus was arrested in Broward County, Florida and was charged aggravated domestic battery with a weapon after he allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend with a sharp object. According to the affidavit, Straus showed up to the alleged victim's place of work after the two argued over text message. Once he arrived, the two allegedly got into a verbal dispute. Straus followed the alleged victim as she walked to her car, at which point the victim claimed Straus pushed and struck her, knocking her to the ground. She then stated that Straus left the scene and later called her, informing her he was at her apartment. Fearing Straus would destroy her property, she drove to his apartment to retrieve a spare key to her own apartment. In the interim, Straus would arrive back at his home, where he would attack the alleged victim with a sharp object, creating multiple stab wounds. The victim fled the scene and went to a neighbor's home, and from there she was taken to a nearby hospital for examination. An arrest warrant for Straus was issued, and he was booked into the Broward County jail. He was released on $100,000 bail.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Bellator MMA Bellator Featherweight World Championship (Two times) Bellator Season Four Featherweight Tournament Runner-up Bellator Season Six Featherweight Tournament Winner North American Allied Fight Series NAAFS Undisputed Pro Series Lightweight Championship (One time) NAAFS Interim Pro Series Lightweight Championship (One time) MMA Junkie 2015 #3 Ranked Fight of the Year November 2015 Fight of the Month vs. Patrício Pitbull 3 at Bellator 145 Bleacher Report 2014 #10 Ranked Fight of the Year

Amateur Wrestling National High School Coaches Association NHSCA Senior High School National Championship (2003) NHSCA Senior All-American (2003) Ohio High School Athletic Association OHSAA Division I High School State Championship Third Place (2002) OHSAA Division I All-State (2002) Sycamore High School Record for Best Season Record (42–1; 2003)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Keith Richardson TKO (punches) XMMA 3: Vice City

Miami, Florida, United States Loss

Derek Campos Decision (unanimous) Bellator 226

San Jose, California, United States Win

Shane Kruchten Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 219

Temecula, California, United States Loss

Emmanuel Sanchez Submission (triangle choke) Bellator 184

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Patricio Freire Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 178

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Patricio Freire Decision (unanimous) Bellator 145

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Win

Henry Corrales Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 138

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Loss

Patricio Freire Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 132

Temecula, California, United States Win

Justin Wilcox KO (punches) Bellator 127

Temecula, California, United States Loss

Pat Curran Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 112

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

Pat Curran Decision (unanimous) Bellator 106

Long Beach, California, United States Win

Alvin Robinson Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 78

Dayton, Ohio, United States Win

Marlon Sandro Decision (unanimous) Bellator 68

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Mike Corey Decision (unanimous) Bellator 65

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Jeremy Spoon Decision (unanimous) Bellator 60

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

Jason Dent Decision (unanimous) NAAFS: Caged Fury 15

Cleveland, Ohio, United States Loss

Patricio Freire Decision (unanimous) Bellator 45

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Win

Kenny Foster Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 41

Yuma, Arizona, United States Win

Nazareno Malegarie Decision (unanimous) Bellator 37

Concho, Oklahoma, United States Win

Karen Darabedyan Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs Prangley

Amarillo, Texas, United States Win

Joe Pearson TKO (punches) XFO 36: Outdoor War 6

Island Lake, Illinois, United States Win

Chad Hinton Decision (unanimous) Bellator 23

Louisville, Kentucky, United States Win

Travis Perzynski Decision (unanimous) ICE: International Combat Events 45

Forest Park, Ohio, United States Win

Frank Caraballo TKO (punches) NAAFS: Caged Fury 9

Cleveland, Ohio, United States Win

Gideon Ray Decision (unanimous) XFO 33

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Joe Heiland Decision (unanimous) NAAFS: Night of Champions 2009

Akron, Ohio, United States Win

Patrick Ferm TKO (punches) XFO 32

New Munster, Wisconsin, United States Win

Tim Troxell TKO (elbows and punches) Xtreme Caged Combat: Cops vs. Cons

Reading, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Mitch Lyons TKO (punches) Indiana Xtreme Fighting 1: Wildcard

Rising Sun, Indiana, United States Loss

Pat Curran KO (punches) XFO 29

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Win

Mike Baskis Decision (unanimous) ICF: Breakout

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Win

Lester Caslow Decision (split) Extreme Challenge: Mayhem at the Marina

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Tim Cook TKO (punches) ICF: Turfwar

Florence, Kentucky, United States Loss

Scott Bickerstaff TKO (punches) MMA Big Show: Retribution

Switzerland County, Indiana, United States Win

David Silva Decision (unanimous) XFO 28

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Loss

Jay Ellis Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) XFO: New Blood

Delray Beach, Florida, United States Bare knuckle record Loss

Jimmie Rivera Decision (unanimous) BKFC 61

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Dat Nguyen Decision (unanimous) BKFC 38: Nguyen vs. Straus

Delray Beach, Florida, United States