James Krause has no regrets.
Yes, he lost – but Krause’s 24-hour notice UFC 247 bout against Trevin Giles became a thing of legend. His stock rose through the roof.
The whirlwind 24-hour stretch kicked off last Friday when Krause (27-8 MMA, 8-4 UFC) heard rumblings about middleweight Antonio Arroyo having to withdraw from the Saturday bout. Krause spoke up but assumed it was impossible the fight could come to fruition.
“When I said it, I meant it,” Krause told MMA Junkie on Monday. “I threw out my name, and I meant that, but I didn’t think it would actually come to.”
A number of factors played into Krause’s decision to lobby for and accept the 185-pound fight. Generally speaking, Krause deemed it overall a “good business play.”
“It wasn’t a big deal to me either way,” Krause said. “If I got it, I got it. If I didn’t, I didn’t. I just said, ‘Hey, I’ll fight him.’ For me, it was more of a business play. It was a good opportunity for me to make some more money and redo my contract.
“… I don’t really care who it is, to be honest with you. It’s not a big deal, and I don’t mind fighting. I’ll fight anybody. I’m not afraid to fight anybody. Obviously I jumped up to 170. I’m not afraid to fight middleweights either. It’s not as big of a deal as everybody is making it out to be.”
The fight was back-and-forth. The first round saw Krause control a bigger, stronger Giles on the ground. Giles took control of the second round, before the two tired competitors fought out a close Round 3.
Krause said his cardio was not up to par with what it could have been with a full camp. Additionally, Krause felt the noticeable strength difference fighting up a weight class.
“He’s got welterweight hand speed with middleweight power,” Krause said. “That makes for a fun recipe when you’re a small welterweight or a big lightweight, however you want to look at it. His hips were really heavy.”
When the decision was read, Giles was named the victor.
At a post-fight news conference immediately following the event, UFC president Dana White praised Krause – but also said the fighter likely regretted taking the fight. However, Krause said White is mistaken. If he had the chance, he’d do it again.
“(Dana) told me that after the fight,” Krause said. “He pulled me in his back room and told me the same thing. I said, ‘No, you’re wrong. I’d do it again.’ I don’t regret it at all. I’d do it over again. I think that’s a fight that I won. I think that’s a fight I should’ve won. I think it’s a fight I can win if we do it again.
“… I feel like it was a good career move on my part, overall. Once again, I’d do it all over again given the chance. And hell, who knows? I may do it again. I could’ve made welterweight on damn near the same notice.”
UFC 247 took place Saturday at Toyota Center in Houston. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
James Krause doesn't regret taking last-minute UFC 247 fight: 'I'd do it over again'
