Former Bellator champion Daniel Straus booked for first fight since arrest, promotional release

Former Bellator featherweight champion Daniel Straus has booked his first fight since his promotional release.

Straus (26-9) will return to action on Oct. 23 in the co-main event of XMMA 3 at the Watsco Center in Miami, when he takes on Keith Richardson (19-11). The promotion recently announced the news after an initial report by MMA Island.

In July, a promotion official informed MMA Junkie that Straus was one of 18 fighters no longer with Bellator. His release came five months after he was arrested for aggravated battery when he allegedly beat and stabbed his partner.

Straus, 37, exited Bellator on three losses in his final four outings. He partook in the promotion’s featherweight grand prix but was eliminated in the opening round when he lost a unanimous decision to Derek Campos.

Meanwhile, Richardson, 37, is a staple of the Southeast regional scene. He’s competed for various promotions including LFA, XFC, and King of the Cage (KOTC) since his professional MMA debut in May 2009.

The current XMMA 3 lineup includes a host of other notable names besides Straus. Former UFC title challenger John Dodson is set to headline against fellow ex-UFC fighter Cody Gibson. Additionally, former UFC middleweight title challenger Nate Marquardt and former UFC fighter John Howard are scheduled to compete on the card.