Strasser's second professional fight was a no-rules bout against a fighter making his professional debut, Travis Fulton.[2] Strasser subdued the inexperienced Fulton with a choke hold from behind.[2] Fulton would go on to become one of the most prolific fighters in mixed martial arts history, with over 300 recorded professional fights as of November 2011.
At UFC 42, Strasser fought against Romie Aram.[3] Aram had been undefeated before the fight, and was being groomed by the UFC for a possible title shot against Matt Hughes.[4] As such, Aram came into the fight as the favorite.[4] In the first round, Strasser was immediately dropped by a punch to the head, but he successfully pulled guard, and the referee stood the fighters up.[3] Strasser scored a takedown later in the round, delivering punches and elbows from the top position.[3] Strasser controlled the second round with standup striking, though Aram remained competitive.[3] The fighters remained on their feet in the third round, with Aram delivering more powerful punches but Strasser displaying better precision.[3] Strasser's blows in this round made Aram's nose bleed.[3] All three judges scored the fight for Strasser, and he won by unanimous decision.[3]
Strasser fought again in the UFC at UFC 44.[5] In the welterweight match, his opponent was judo practitioner Karo Parisyan, who was making his debut in the UFC.[5] Parisyan's status as a student of notable judokas Gene LeBell and Gokor Chivchyan increased fan interest in the bout,[5] but the 21-year-old was still seen as a significant underdog.[6] When the fight started, Strasser attempted to stay on his feet and exchange punches.[5] Parisyan, however, performed a judo throw, which put Strasser on the ground and placed him in position for a kimura armlock, which Parisyan duly applied.[6] As a result of the hold, Strasser submitted at 3:52 of the first round.[5] This fight was notable, as judokas had not enjoyed many prior successes in MMA competitions, and Parisyan's win helped to establish judo as a viable martial arts style in MMA.[6]
Strasser comes from a very athletic family and has three brothers and two sisters. His father was an all-state sprinter and football player who was recruited by Miami University and other NCAA Division I schools. Strasser's uncle was a talented weightlifter, holding the state record for the squat and dead-lift. Strasser's siblings' accomplishments have ranged from a state finals champion in Cross Country, player of the year in baseball, all-state in basketball, NCAA Division I runner, among many other notable feats. One of his brothers, Mark, played professional football in Sweden and set Division I records for Central Connecticut State University. Mark went on to work for the Minnesota Twins organization.[10] He is currently[when?] a physical education teacher Eleanor Roosevelt High School in New York City.[citation needed] Strasser now has a wife and one daughter and one son.[citation needed]
^ abcdePlott, J. Michael. "Xtreme Fighting: Couture Spanks Ortiz at UFC 44", Black Belt magazine, January 2004, pp. 52 & 94.
^ abcFogan, Sara. "Judo Stylist Triumphs at UFC 44", Black Belt magazine, April 2004, p. 118.
^Cole, David. "Ready to rumble `Ultimate fighting,' described by some as barbaric, will brawl in Kenosha", The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 19, 1999.
