SAN JOSE, Calif. – For Daniel Straus, the Bellator featherweight grand prix isn’t about a shiny gold belt or its lucrative nature. According to the former champion, the most rewarding part of the tournament is simply being part of a historic MMA event.
On Saturday, Straus (26-8 MMA, 12-5 BMMA) takes on Derek Campos (19-9 MMA, 8-7 BMMA) in the co-main event of Bellator 226 at SAP Center. The main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
“It wasn’t about the money,” Straus told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “It wasn’t about the belt. It was just about being a part of something great. I’m here. I’m going to compete. I’m going to do everything I said I was going to do. Hopefully, I’ll walk away with it all at the end.”
This is nothing new for Straus. The 35-year-old has had the same mindset for all 34 of his previous professional fights. Straus doesn’t want distractions. The opponent at hand is the sole focus.
“I haven’t really thought about the money or the belt or nothing,” Straus said. “It’s always been whoever is in front of me. Being in this tournament was basically four free fights. Keep racking them up. That’s all I’ve ever cared about, and that’s all I’ve been thinking about.”
His opponent, Campos, has endeared himself to MMA fans through his wild, aggressive fighting style. When Campos competes, there’s often blood, sometimes injury, and always violence. No better example exists than his 2018 “Fight of the Year” candidate against Brandon Girtz at Bellator 181.
Despite the grand prix tournament format, Straus doesn’t expect anything to change. He expects the same pressure and brawling style Campos always brings to the cage.
“I expect him to do what he always does, which is come forward, tuck his chin, and swing hard,” Straus said. “I had been prepared and been coached really well to counter. I’m going to, as well, come forward. We’re going to fight fire with fire. His style is walk forward, swing hard. That’s going to be his downfall.”
Regardless of how he gets it done, Straus sees himself picking up the victory one way or another.
“It plays out with a victory,” Straus said. “I feel like Saturday when I walk away, I’m going to walk away with my hand raised. I’m going to be onto the next round. First, I just got to get in there and get it done.”
