Daniel Strauss won Fighter of the Year at the Seni 2008- Gracie Invitational competition. The 17-year-old also won gold in the adult division of his weight category (Blue belt – featherweight), and silver in the team event.

Competing in the Gracie Invitational 2008 at Seni in the Excel Centre, he won all four fights to take gold in the final

A day later, he was entered into the clash of the countries, and had to represent France, as there were too many in the GB team. He won his first fight but lost his second (to a British teammate. He helped France take silver.

Out of more than 800 fighters, Strauss was awarded the Fighter of the Year and was presented with a trophy from world champions and MMA fighter Jeff Monson and black belt Braulio Estima.