James Krause plans on finishing Sergio Moraes at UFC Sao Paulo: ‘This fight ain’t going the distance’

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James Krause plans on finishing Sergio Moraes at UFC Sao Paulo: ‘This fight ain’t going the distance’

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – James Krause quietly has amassed a five-fight winning streak, and is confident he’ll be adding another big win to his resume.

He takes on Sergio Moraes at UFC on ESPN+ 22 in Sao Paulo on Nov. 16, and thinks he’ll put him away.

“I’m going to finish him,” Krause told MMA Junkie. “I’m going to finish him. I think he’s going to get tired in the first round trying to deal with me and I think I’ll just pick him apart and I’ll probably land something big again, a kick or a knee or something. I think I’m going to finish him, though. It’s kill or be killed. This fight ain’t going the distance.”

Krause (26-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC), who’s in Boston this week to corner Sean Woodson at Friday’s UFC on ESPN 6 event, has invested a lot of time in coaching. His Missouri gym, Glory MMA, is home to fighters like Megan Anderson, Zak Cummings and Tim Elliott.

Krause even is prepared to admit that he probably prefers coaching over fighting.

“I guess it’s far more fulfilling to help somebody else accomplish their dreams,” Krause said. “I’ve been at this for like 13 years now, so I definitely enjoy it more than I do fighting. I’m probably better at it, too. I think it’s a good segue for whenever I decide to retire. It’ll be a good segue for me to go right into.”

In his most recent outing, Krause took out Warlley Alves, who actually just knocked Krause’s next opponent, Moraes. It’s been more than a year since Krause last competed, but he’s not too concerned about any potential ring rust.

He’s just not that interested in taking numerous fights a year at this point of his career.

“I’ve had 60 fights, pro and amateur – I know what a fight looks like,” Krause said. “I don’t believe in ring rust. I don’t think that’s a real thing, especially with my style. I think if you have the style of just going out and getting after people, high volume – I don’t think that’s a real thing.”

The fight may appear to be peculiar matchmaking on paper since Krause has won five straight and Moraes has lost two in a row. But Krause isn’t underestimating his opponent.

He does expect it to be a rough night for Moraes, though.

“He’s always game, he’s always scrappy,” Krause said. “(He has) probably some of the best jiu-jitsu in the UFC if he gets on top of you. I definitely respect him as an opponent, but I also think I’m a very difficult fight for him.”

James Krause plans on finishing Sergio Moraes at UFC Sao Paulo: 'This fight ain't going the distance'