Ex-MMA Champion Arrested After Allegedly Beating, Stabbing Partner

Daniel Straus, a former mixed martial arts (MMA) world champion, was arrested this past Friday and was subsequently charged with a single felony count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after he allegedly got physical, and even stabbed his partner.

Straus was booked at the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in Florida on Feb. 6, with a bond set at $100,000. He remained behind bars as of Tuesday evening.

Should Straus be able to post bond, he was ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim and could not possess weapons or ammunition, as per the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

According to the arrest affidavit obtained by MMAFighting.com, a warrant for Straus’ arrest was drafted on Jan. 28 following an incident that took place on Jan. 21.

Straus reportedly confronted the victim at her place of work following an argument through text messaging. The confrontation soon turned physical after the two began to shove each other. He eventually struck the victim multiple times and left the scene of the incident when she fought back.

The argument continued at Straus’ apartment until the prizefighter pulled out an unidentifiable sharp object and stabbed the victim in the abdomen.

Moreover, the victim fled and drove to a neighbor’s house before being taken to a local medical facility.

The affidavit detailed that the victim suffered a large contusion on her right eye and a puncture wound on the right side of her lower abdomen.

This isn’t Straus’ first run-in with the law. He was arrested and imprisoned for three years following robbery charges. He was released in 2007.

Straus was put behind bars once again in 2013 for drug and traffic charges.

The 36-year old fighter from Cincinnati, Ohio is a 12-year veteran in MMA with 35 professional bouts to his name.

Straus is a two-time Bellator featherweight champion and holds wins over the likes of Patricio "Pitbull" Freire, Marlon Sandro and Pat Curran. He owns a professional record of 26-9.

In 2017, Straus was involved in a motorcycle accident and was on the shelf for two years, having to go through rehabilitation just to be able to walk again.

In 2019, he returned to action and was successful in his comeback fight, submitting Shane Kruchten at Bellator 219.

Later that year, Straus was eliminated from the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix after an opening-round loss to Derek Campos. He has not competed since that disappointing setback.

“Bellator is aware of the situation and has been in contact with his team. The organization has no additional comment at this time," the promotion said via MMAFighting.com.