James Krause: Brandon Moreno vs. Kai Kara-France, not Deiveson Figueiredo, better for business

James Krause likes that Brandon Moreno needs one extra step before squaring off with Deiveson Figueiredo again.

Moreno (19-5-2 MMA, 7-2-2 UFC) and Figueiredo (21-2-1 MMA, 9-2-1 UFC) have split their first three appearances, with their first outing ruled a majority draw, Moreno winning the rematch, and Figueiredo regaining his flyweight title in the trilogy.

The UFC were looking to set up a rare quadrilogy bout between the two, but with Figueiredo sidelined due to injury, the promotion opted to pit Moreno against Kai Kara-France for the interim title at UFC 277, a move Moreno’s new head coach Krause sees incentive in.

“From a business standpoint, I actually think it’s better,” Krause told MMA Junkie Radio. “In no way am I disrespecting Kai at all. I’m very aware of what we’re dealing with, and I do understand that Kai has gotten massive amounts better since their last fight, and in no way are we looking past Kai in any shape or form.

“But from a business perspective, it makes more sense if Brandon were to win the interim title and then it builds up the actual fight again. Brandon had to go back and fight Kai who just beat Askarov and wins the interim title and now has to go back and fight – it just sets up more bigger fights.”

Krause said Moreno beating Kara-France (24-9 MMA, 7-2 UFC) would only amplify a potential fourth fight and open up more possibilities for “The Assassin Baby.”

“From a UFC business perspective, I actually think it’s a better move because it’s going to set up two big fights now rather than just one fight that everybody has seen back-to-back-to-back,” Krause said. “It just pauses the action a little bit. In no way am I disrespecting Kai. I think Kai’s remarkable. I think he’s improved massively, and I think he’s very dangerous. So in no way am I looking past him, and Brandon is not either. We’re taking this fight very serious and we know what he’s coming for.”