American mixed martial artist who competed in MMA organizations such as the UFC and Cage Rage. His nickname “The Finishing Machine” has stood by him for his entire MMA career, where he has never gone to a decision, win or lose.
A former member of the United States Marine Corps, Strebendt is known for being the first student of the now world-renowned Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioner, Eddie Bravo where he adopted Eddie’s rubber guard, and twister game. In 2004 he became the first fighter to execute a twister in an MMA match.
Strebendt currently owns and operates Northwest Training Center in Springfield, Oregon. He has continued his involvement in MMA by training several successful amateur and professional fighters.
On 29 January 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 was arrested and charged with murder on 6 March 2014 after a grand jury indictment.
On 21 May 2015, the murder charge was dismissed and Strebendt pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide due to police establishing “some mitigating evidence” favouring Strebendt. His attorney Mike Arnold and co-counsel Emilia Gardner went on to write a book about Strebendt and the case called Finishing Machine.
Eight months after his release from prison, Strebendt was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing an underage female on 25 April 2018.
Link to Wikipedia biography