Former Bellator Champion Daniel Straus Charged With Aggravated Battery

Trigger Warning: Mentions of violence, physical assault

Former Bellator Featherweight Champion Daniel Straus is being held in the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, after being charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Straus, who is also known as Daniel Lamont Mason-Straus, was arrested Friday and has been held since, per a report from Adam Lichtenstein of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Straus’ bond is set at $100,000, an amount that his attorney claimed on Saturday is “tantamount to no bond.”

Judge Terri-Ann Miller declined to lower the bond, claiming “if he’s a professional athlete he can get a bond for $100,000.”

Bellator provided a statement to Steven Marrocco of MMA Fighting, saying they are “aware of the situation and has been in contact with his team. The organization has no additional comment at this time.”

Per details obtained by MMA Fighting, Straus’ arrest comes after an alleged incident on January 21st that took place in Hollywood, Florida.

Per an arrest affidavit, Straus appeared at the alleged victim’s workplace and argued over “infidelity issues in their relationship.” The argument turned violent after he shoved her and was shoved back.

According to the affidavit, Straus then struck the alleged victim numerous times after they got back into their car. Straus then left the location and notified the alleged victim and he was going to her apartment.

The alleged victim drove to Straus’ apartment in an attempt to take the spare key he owned to her property.

Per the affidavit, another confrontation arose at the apartment. While arguing over the key, Straus threatened to stab her. Per the affidavit, Straus then stabbed the alleged victim in the abdomen with a sharp object that could not be identified.

The alleged victim fled the scene. They drove to their neighbour’s house, who took them to a hospital.

The affidavit said the alleged victim was found to have “a large contusion to her right eye” along with a puncture wound.

Straus has been a member of Bellator’s roster since 2012. He became the 145-pound champion twice in the early 2010s, defeating Pat Curran and Patricio Pitbull to start both reigns.

His last fight was in September of 2019, where he lost a unanimous decision to Derek Campos.