David Dodd: UFC 21 and 26 Badass

I recently caught up with UFC 21 and UFC 26 veteran David Dodd. Read below to hear the insane tale of how he went from Arizona to North Dakota to Columbia and became a Buddhist.

-- David Dodd is one of the old school badasses that stepped in the cage with whoever, whenever in the early days of MMA. His career began with a unanimous decision loss to UFC veteran Pat Smith in November of 98 at Extreme Challenge 22. That fight was followed up by another loss to the Native Warrior Tyrone Roberts from Tama Iowa - this time a TKO. The two would face each other again at UFC 26 in June of 2000. Unfortunately for David, it was another win for Roberts - though this time by way of a decision. Dodd faced some killers including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Travis Fulton, Mike Gallo and Vernon White - losing to all of them. The biggest win of his 4-7 career was an armbar finish of The Snowman Jeff Monson at Extreme Challenge 23. David no longer trains or follows the sport. Check out his story below.

When I was training Jiu-Jitsu and MMA I was a drug dealer to pay my bills. I scored a really big account before my last professional fight. Made so much money on the deal when that fight actually came up I was never able to shift into gear. Vernon tiger white knocked me out in the second round at a King of the Cage event. A week later I was back in Detroit with hockey bags full of dope. It can be said that I got knocked out of the fight by Vernon, but the truth is I never had it that night. The night before I signed for $1,500 and thought "Dave, what are you doing here?". I felt that way when I walked in the ring and couldn't turn it on.

I started trafficking dope professionally after that. I got pinched and did four and a half years Federal time. As soon as I got out of prison and off of parole, I headed to South America and set up a home. I'm only in North Dakota for work in the oil fields. It's a rotating schedule and on my off time I go home to Columbia. The US Dollar is strong and what I make in the American oilfield, I'm a rich man down there. The bad thing is, I only work about six seven months a year, so it just depends on bank account how many Christmas presents I need to get. That is my present status.

I was involved in martial arts as a kid because my dad was a Judoka. That was our family chore. That as a base, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and dirty boxing; really all I needed back in the day.

When I first got released from prison, I was on parole probation and I hung out in Phoenix where I trained with Gustavo Dantas and my adult son. It was really good therapy for me. I haven't followed MMA for a very long time. Couldn't really follow Jiu-Jitsu or Judo as a fan. I became a Buddhist in prison. I still lift weights and watch what I eat. Just no real fight training. Has a purpose and place in my life but just not a part of my present.

As far as dwelling on my losses, yes and no. You have to be careful dwelling on anything in the past. The professional fights I lost, I absolutely not dwell on. Those men were all professional athletes. Put a recipe together and put it on the table. All men of that caliber deserve what they get. Losing a professional fight is easy. The hardest part is just showing up. All losses hurt big ones and little ones. My lost to the federal government hurt the worst. We recover, we get up.

There's a whole lot more to the story and I started writing it down while I was in prison. I just kind of need some help finishing the story. Kind of an emotional rollercoaster, with pain. Love it and appreciate any interest in old schoolers. You got a taste of it and I'm interested to hear back from you. Peace and love David Dodd

Gerald Strebendt (15706134)
Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
24499 SW Grahams Ferry Road Suite U
Wilsonville OR 97070

Forwarded from new addresses
Oregon Department of Corrections: SRCI
Gerald Strebendt (15706134)
777 Stanton Blvd
Ontario OR 97914

Sent: 11/19/2015
Recd: 01/11/2016
Days: 53

Gerald fought in a losing battle at UFC 44 to Josh Thomson. He had a fairly lengthy career and amassed a record of 9-7. He fought some of the greats including Jean Silva, Eiji Mitsuoka, Sean Sherk, Vitor Ribero and even one of my buddies - Will Shutt.

On January 29, 2014, Strebendt shot and killed 53-year-old David Paul Crofut, also of Springfield, during an altercation following a traffic collision between the two drivers' vehicles. Strebendt called 911 following the collision but before shooting Crofut and was still connected with the 911 call when the shot was fired. Strebendt claims self-defense in the shooting; Strebendt's attorney, Mike Arnold of Eugene, states that Strebendt reached into his vehicle and retrieved his weapon, a loaded .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle, because Crofut verbally threatened his life. Carrying a loaded rifle in a vehicle is legal in Oregon. Crofut was unarmed during the altercation, and no weapons other than Strebendt's rifle were found at the scene. Following the shooting, Strebendt was handcuffed and taken into custody, but was released later that night. According to Strebendt on the 911 call, Crofut hit him "on purpose with his vehicle." Strebendt can be heard on the 911 call instructing Crofut to "back away" and "don't fucking come near me." At the time of his death, Crofut had a blood alcohol content of 0.156%. The legal limit for driving under the influence of alcohol in Oregon is 0.08%.

Strebendt was arrested and charged with murder on March 6, 2014, after a grand jury indictment. Lane County Circuit Court Judge Debra Vogt imposed a gag order preventing the prosecution and defense from talking about the case and sealed court documents over the objections of the local newspaper; Strebendt's attorneys objected. On May 21, 2015, the murder charge was dismissed and Strebendt pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide due to police establishing "some mitigating evidence" favoring Strebendt.

This is the 3rd time I've received a letter from Strebendt. Prison is lonely. Letters are the only way to really connect with the outside.

Gerald did two rough tours in Afghanistan in 2005 and 2006 with BlackWater USA. He says he wants to raise a family in the country in southern Oregon and raise cattle and other farm animals. I plan on definitely writing him again. On the last page, he said "I'd be happy to tell you about some of my great stories" - here are a few examples - write back and tell me which one you want me to elaborate on.

1) The time I lived with Mickey Rourkes girlfriend and I assaulted her with a piece of corn bread.
2) Spending the evening with Earl Simmons (DMX) in LA with his entourage.
3) Spending time at Pam Andersons Malibu beach home and surfing with her brother Gerry.
4) Spending time at Joe Rogans house and training in his garage with Eddie Bravo.
- Gerald Strebendt is the first person to finish with a Twister in MMA. (A move Eddie Bravo created) This isn't exactly an autograph - though he did sign it and some people really enjoy hearing the history of fighters. This is one hell of a story.

Rob MacDonald is Bobby Maximus

As I continue on my quest to obtain every fighters autograph through UFC 150, I recently spoke with Rob MacDonald. Rob retired with a 5-4 record (1-2 UFC). Rob is currently living in Salt Lake City and is the GM and Training Director of a gym called Gym Jones. The gym is most known for training the cast and crew of '300' and 'Man of Steel." Rob writes regularly for Men's Health and is still training doing traditional martial arts with his son.

Though he has no plans to fight again, he won the light-heavyweight title for the Ring of Fire against a talented Eliot Marshall. He said, "My experience fighting was great. I won some and lost some but I got to win a fight in the UFC and win submission of the night. I also met a lot of incredible people which is the most important part of the journey. I am very greatful regarding everything I was able to experience."

Rob defeated Kris Rotharemel at UFN5 and lost to Eric Schafer at UFC 62 and Jason Lambert at UFC 58.

David Lee: Staying Strong and Still Teaching!

I recently spoke with former UFC fighter David Lee. Mr. Lee has fought a ton of good talent including

Vaughan Lee, Brad Pickett, Tyson Griffin and Ashleigh Grimshaw. Through many ups and downs, he continues to train and teach MMA as a way of life.

BJ: How was your UFC experience and how did they treat you?

DL: It was amazing. I think it was a bit of luck as I'd had a run of wins and the UFC was looking at the UK market. I was around the 9th or 10th Brit to fight in the UFC and I think the 4th or 5th to fight state-side. Huge honor. I wish I could do it again.

BJ: Your first pro fight was 11 years ago.  What made you get into the sport? 

DL: Well, I had trained in martial arts most of my life. I believe in testing your ability. Some do it in class and some go a step further and compete. Competing is the next step. It gives you questions and keeps your ego in check and also shows you what works.

BJ: Who would be your dream match or if you could fight anyone or rematch one of your losses, who would it be?

DL: The guy you face in a competition does not matter. You are there against yourself.

BJ: Out of all of the people you've faced, who hits the hardest? ...Like made you say, "Wow, he hits hard."

Andy Anderson: Big Time

Andy Anderson was a badass back in the day. Still is if you ask me. Andy fought at UFC 5 against a monster Jon Hess. Though things didn't work out for him, he continued to smash anyone in his way. He lived with a motto of, "anytime, anyplace, anywhere."

I contacted him just to see how he was doing. Here is what he had to say.


Hello BJ

Great to hear from you, As for me, my case looks like it's going well. I think God only knows about that, visit and read free-andy.com. 

I still talk to some of the older fighters from time to time. Before the UFC, we were fighting in tough-man contests all over the world or at least that what some people called them. I have been in to Tae Kwon Do from the time I was 7 and am very good at it I may add. My teacher, Master Kim from Ok city was/is one of the worlds best in demonstrations. I have been just a good fighter from the club business to cash fights, from Japan to Mexico I like to fight. Tank Abbott - the truth be known, is really a nice guy who had one hell of a punch. I dropped one of his boys in Japan in a club. Long story, but it ended well at least for me.

If you combine all of our talents from the past, you get the new MMA fighter that everyone is training for now. We all had skills but some were just as RAW as a street fighter, and now we have the MMA Game. That used to just be a way of life for most of us back then. My old motto was I'll go any time any place for any reason, and now it's on every TV in the world.

Paul Jones, American Badass

Paul Jones, American badass. Mr. Jones has not stepped into the cage in nearly 14 years but continues to teach wrestling. In the four year MMA career, he amassed an 11-1-1 record. Besides Royce Gracie, there are not too many people with a record that good. Paul fought for the UFC twice in that run going 1-1 with a win over Flavio Luiz Moura and a TKO loss to the Iceman, Chuck Liddell.

Paul remembers the nasty elbow that Chuck hit him with when he was trying to pummel in to get double underhooks. "I felt that warm sensation as soon as he hit me and I knew I was cut."

"I do still follow MMA and I attended UFC 101 in Philadelphia. The old days were so low key compared to now. I think there were about 20 people that watched the weigh-ins at UFC 22 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. We came in several days before the fights and they treated us very well."

Bob Gilstrap: UFC 17 Veteran Still in the Game

I recently caught up with Bob Gilstrap, UFC 17 veteran.

April 2014
Guru: In 1997, you had your first pro-recorded fight against Chris Munsen. Why did you choose to get into MMA then and what kind of background did you have for that fight?

BG: My story is this: I had always been interested in martial arts. Growing up I was very over weight and my nickname in high school was "fat kid". My home life growing up was pretty tough and I had multiple times seen my mother get beat on and wished when I was young that I could do something about it. I was always fascinated with Bruce Lee. After high school I moved away to where I knew no one so to fill my time I looked into martial arts. I first got involved in Taekwondo. Most people go once or twice a week for an hour or so; I was going every night for several hours or until they kicked me out. Needless to say, I excelled fairly quickly at it going through the first 6 belts in 6 months. As soon as they allowed it I began competing in their tournaments. I was a purple belt at the time and was entered in one of the black belt tournaments and was on the opposite side of the tournament from a guy who was a black belt and running through the competition. I did not meet up with him until the finals and was the only guy to even score a point against him (though I was not a black belt at the time). Before the end of the tournament I attempted a spinning crescent kick and landed wrong hurting my knee. Therefore putting me out of the tournament. My problem with Taekwondo was in fact it was a point based martial art, not actual contact. In point-based martial arts, it comes down to physics. The smaller, leaner or lighter the opponent is then the faster he or she is. Well I knew that though these people might be faster, I was surely tougher and stronger so I started to seek out full contact Martial arts. About 6 months after I had heard about a gym in Kirkland Washington called AMC.