Daniel Straus (fighter) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Daniel Mason-Straus |
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|---|---|
| Born | Daniel Mason-Straus July 27, 1984 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) |
| Division | Featherweight |
| Reach | 67 in (170 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
| Team | American Top Team Vision MMA |
| Years active | 2009–2021 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 36 |
| Wins | 26 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 15 |
| Losses | 10 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 5 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Notable school(s) | Sycamore High School |
Daniel Mason-Straus (born July 27, 1984) is an American former professional mixed martial artist. He was a top fighter in the Featherweight division. Straus is best known for his time in Bellator MMA, where he became the Bellator Featherweight Champion two times. He started his professional career in 2009 and also competed in Shark Fights.
Contents
Early Life and Wrestling
Daniel Straus was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up in a nearby town called Sycamore Township. Daniel was a very successful wrestler at Sycamore High School.
In his first year, he was an alternate for the state wrestling tournament. By his junior year, he finished third in the state championship. In his senior year, even though he couldn't compete in the state tournament, he won the NHSCA Senior Nationals, which is a national championship for high school seniors. Many people in Ohio wrestling consider Daniel to be one of the best Ohio wrestlers of his time. Besides wrestling, he also played soccer and ran track in high school. After high school, Daniel moved to Florida. He later returned to Cincinnati.
Mixed Martial Arts Journey
Starting Out in MMA
When Daniel Straus came back to Cincinnati, a friend introduced him to mixed martial arts (MMA). This friend was actually someone Daniel had wrestled against in high school! Daniel was invited to train at Team Vision. He made his professional MMA debut in February 2009.
Fighting in Shark Fights
Daniel Straus got a chance to fight in Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs. Prangley. He stepped in at the last minute and beat Karen Darabedyan. He won the fight by a decision where all the judges agreed, called a "unanimous decision."
Becoming a Bellator Champion
Daniel Straus joined Bellator MMA in June 2010. He won his first fight at Bellator 23 by unanimous decision.
In 2011, Bellator announced that Daniel would be part of the Bellator Season Four Featherweight Tournament. In the first round, he beat Nazareno Malegarie by unanimous decision. This was Malegarie's first loss ever! This exciting fight was even named "Fight of the Night."
At Bellator 41, Daniel continued in the tournament. He faced Kenny Foster and won by a "guillotine choke" submission. This meant he moved on to the finals. In the final match at Bellator 45, he fought Patricio Freire. Daniel lost this fight by unanimous decision.
Daniel returned for the Bellator Season Six Featherweight Tournament in 2012. He won his first fight against Jeremy Spoon by unanimous decision at Bellator 60. In the next round, he beat Mike Corey at Bellator 65, again by unanimous decision.
In the tournament finals, Daniel faced Marlon Sandro at Bellator 68. He won by unanimous decision, which earned him a chance to fight for the Featherweight Championship. This also set up a rematch with Pat Curran, who had beaten Daniel in 2009.
While waiting for his title shot, Daniel fought Alvin Robinson at Bellator 78 in October 2012. He won this fight by submission in the second round.
The championship fight against Pat Curran was planned for April 2013. However, Daniel had to pull out because he broke his hand.
The big Featherweight Championship fight finally happened on November 2, 2013, at Bellator 106. Daniel Straus won the fight by unanimous decision. This made him the new Bellator Featherweight Champion!
Daniel then had to face Pat Curran for a third time at Bellator 112 in March 2014. Daniel lost this fight by a "rear-naked choke" submission in the fifth round.
He bounced back at Bellator 127 in October 2014, winning against Justin Wilcox by knockout in the first round.
Daniel challenged Patrício Freire for the Bellator Featherweight Championship again at Bellator 132 in January 2015. Freire won this back-and-forth fight with a rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round.
At Bellator 138 in June 2015, Daniel faced undefeated fighter Henry Corrales. Daniel won the fight by submission in the second round.
Daniel had his third fight with Freire at Bellator 145 on November 6, 2015. He won this fight by unanimous decision, becoming the Bellator Featherweight Champion once more!
After more than a year, Daniel returned to defend his title against Freire in their fourth fight at Bellator 178 on April 21, 2017. Daniel lost the fight by a guillotine choke submission in the second round.
He then faced Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 184 in October 2017. Daniel lost this fight by a "triangle choke" submission in the third round.
Comeback and Later Fights
Daniel Straus took a long break from fighting due to a serious motorcycle accident. After 17 months of recovery and hard work, he returned to the cage on March 29, 2019, at Bellator 219. He won his comeback fight against Shane Krutchen by submission in the first round.
Next, Daniel faced Derek Campos in the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix at Bellator 226 in September 2019. He lost this fight by unanimous decision.
In July 2021, it was announced that Daniel was no longer fighting with Bellator. After leaving Bellator, Daniel fought Keith Richardson at XMMA 3 in October 2021. He lost this fight by TKO (Technical Knockout) due to punches.
Bare-Knuckle Boxing
Daniel Straus also tried bare-knuckle boxing, where fighters punch without gloves.
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
He made his debut against boxer Dat Nguyen at BKFC 38 in April 2023. He lost by unanimous decision after six rounds.
Daniel then faced former UFC fighter Jimmie Rivera at BKFC 61 in May 2024. He lost this fight by unanimous decision as well.
Personal Life
Daniel Straus has a daughter.
In December 2017, Daniel was in a serious motorcycle accident. This accident caused him severe injuries. It took him eight months of intense physical therapy to be able to walk on his own again. Once he could move without help, Daniel decided to get back into shape and continue his professional MMA career. His amazing journey back to fighting ended with his comeback fight at Bellator 219 in March 2019, which he won by submission. This showed his incredible determination.
Achievements and Awards
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)
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
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 36 matches | 26 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 3 |
| By submission | 4 | 5 |
| By decision | 15 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 26–10 | Keith Richardson | TKO (punches) | XMMA 3: Vice City | October 23, 2021 | 2 | 1:54 | Miami, Florida, United States | Lightweight bout. |
| Loss | 26–9 | Derek Campos | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 226 | September 7, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Opening Round. |
| Win | 26–8 | Shane Kruchten | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 219 | March 29, 2019 | 1 | 3:53 | Temecula, California, United States | Lightweight bout. |
| Loss | 25–8 | Emmanuel Sanchez | Submission (triangle choke) | Bellator 184 | October 6, 2017 | 3 | 1:56 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 25–7 | Patricio Freire | Submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 178 | April 21, 2017 | 2 | 0:37 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Lost the Bellator Featherweight World Championship. |
| Win | 25–6 | Patricio Freire | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 145 | November 6, 2015 | 5 | 5:00 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | Won the Bellator Featherweight World Championship. |
| Win | 24–6 | Henry Corrales | Submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 138 | June 19, 2015 | 2 | 3:47 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 23–6 | Patricio Freire | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 132 | January 16, 2015 | 4 | 4:49 | Temecula, California, United States | For the Bellator Featherweight World Championship. |
| Win | 23–5 | Justin Wilcox | KO (punches) | Bellator 127 | October 3, 2014 | 1 | 0:50 | Temecula, California, United States | |
| Loss | 22–5 | Pat Curran | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 112 | March 14, 2014 | 5 | 4:46 | Hammond, Indiana, United States | Lost the Bellator Featherweight World Championship |
| Win | 22–4 | Pat Curran | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 106 | November 2, 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | Long Beach, California, United States | Won the Bellator Featherweight Championship |
| Win | 21–4 | Alvin Robinson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 78 | October 26, 2012 | 2 | 4:51 | Dayton, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 20–4 | Marlon Sandro | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 68 | May 11, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Bellator Season Six Featherweight Tournament Final |
| Win | 19–4 | Mike Corey | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 65 | April 13, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Bellator Season Six Featherweight Tournament Semifinal |
| Win | 18–4 | Jeremy Spoon | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 60 | March 9, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Hammond, Indiana, United States | Bellator Season Six Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal |
| Win | 17–4 | Jason Dent | Decision (unanimous) | NAAFS: Caged Fury 15 | October 15, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Cleveland, Ohio, United States | Won and unified NAAFS Pro Series Lightweight Championship |
| Loss | 16–4 | Patricio Freire | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 45 | May 21, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States | Bellator Season Four Featherweight Tournament Final |
| Win | 16–3 | Kenny Foster | Submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 41 | April 16, 2011 | 3 | 3:48 | Yuma, Arizona, United States | Bellator Season Four Featherweight Tournament Semifinal |
| Win | 15–3 | Nazareno Malegarie | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 37 | March 19, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Concho, Oklahoma, United States | Bellator Season Four Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal |
| Win | 14–3 | Karen Darabedyan | Decision (unanimous) | Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs Prangley | September 11, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 13–3 | Joe Pearson | TKO (punches) | XFO 36: Outdoor War 6 | August 14, 2010 | 2 | 4:04 | Island Lake, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 12–3 | Chad Hinton | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 23 | June 24, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |
| Win | 11–3 | Travis Perzynski | Decision (unanimous) | ICE: International Combat Events 45 | March 13, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Forest Park, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 | Frank Caraballo | TKO (punches) | NAAFS: Caged Fury 9 | February 20, 2010 | 5 | 3:57 | Cleveland, Ohio, United States | Won NAAFS Interim Pro Series Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–3 | Gideon Ray | Decision (unanimous) | XFO 33 | January 23, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 8–3 | Joe Heiland | Decision (unanimous) | NAAFS: Night of Champions 2009 | December 5, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Akron, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 7–3 | Patrick Ferm | TKO (punches) | XFO 32 | October 10, 2009 | 1 | 1:50 | New Munster, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 6–3 | Tim Troxell | TKO (elbows and punches) | Xtreme Caged Combat: Cops vs. Cons | October 3, 2009 | 1 | 3:51 | Reading, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 5–3 | Mitch Lyons | TKO (punches) | Indiana Xtreme Fighting 1: Wildcard | June 26, 2009 | 3 | 2:13 | Rising Sun, Indiana, United States | |
| Loss | 4–3 | Pat Curran | KO (punches) | XFO 29 | April 17, 2009 | 2 | 1:31 | Lakemoor, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 4–2 | Mike Baskis | Decision (unanimous) | ICF: Breakout | April 11, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 3–2 | Lester Caslow | Decision (split) | Extreme Challenge: Mayhem at the Marina | March 28, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 2–2 | Tim Cook | TKO (punches) | ICF: Turfwar | March 14, 2009 | 2 | 0:11 | Florence, Kentucky, United States | |
| Loss | 1–2 | Scott Bickerstaff | TKO (punches) | MMA Big Show: Retribution | March 7, 2009 | 1 | N/A | Switzerland County, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 1–1 | David Silva | Decision (unanimous) | XFO 28 | February 27, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Lakemoor, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Jay Ellis | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | XFO: New Blood | February 7, 2009 | 2 | 2:46 | Delray Beach, Florida, United States |
Bare knuckle record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 2 matches | 0 wins | 2 losses |
| By decision | 0 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 0–2 | Jimmie Rivera | Decision (unanimous) | BKFC 61 | May 11, 2024 | 5 | 2:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Dat Nguyen | Decision (unanimous) | BKFC 38: Nguyen vs. Straus | April 21, 2023 | 6 | 2:00 | Delray Beach, Florida, United States | Fight went to a sixth round after the first five rounds were ruled a draw. |
See also
- List of male mixed martial artists
- List of Bellator champions
