Dana White had nothing but good things to say about James Krause, for stepping up on 24 hours notice and fighting at UFC 247. But, the UFC President doesn’t want to see the 33 year-old fighter doing that again.
White’s going to write Krause a “nice cheque”
Krause was on hand at UFC 247 in Houston to corner and coach Youssef Zalal, and not to fight. But, when Antonio Arroyo was forced out of a fight with Trevin Giles last minute due to medical issues, Krause agreed to step-up and fight.
Despite the fact Krause had no training camp, and although he’s fought at lightweight and welterweight throughout much of his career, he gave the middleweight Giles a serious run for his money. Ultimately, however, Giles emerged from the bout with a split decision win.
Well, after the card, White had this to say about Krause (quotes via Bloody Elbow):
“He was super upset. He felt like he could’ve won that fight,” White said. “I said, ‘You know what, kid, it doesn’t matter. You’re such a stud. I’ve so much respect for the fact that you came here to corner, and you took this fight a weight class up, didn’t train.’ I said, ‘But let’s not do this again.’
“I’mma write him a nice cheque,” he added. “And he won Fight of the Night. Financially, it worked out for him, but did you guys see him tonight? He was lumped up, and he was in a dogfight.
“And at the end of the second round, when he was getting up off the canvas at the end of the second round, I said, ‘I bet he wishes he was cornering right now.’”
It was a close fight, and Krause certainly has no reason to hang his head over the loss. It’s nice to hear that Krause is going have some extra cash as a result of doing the UFC favor.
White’s comments about Krause prior to UFC 247
Before Krause fought Giles, White was already heaping praise on the veteran for taking the fight, understandably. He had this to say about the fighter on Friday (quote via MMA Weekly):
“This guy was here cornering. James Krause is stepping in and gonna take the fight. He’s actually literally going to weigh in today at the ceremonial weigh-ins,” UFC president Dana White said at the UFC 248 press conference prior to the UFC 247 ceremonial weigh-in. “I know he’s not from Texas, but he’s gonna step in and save this fight for your guy.
“That’s pending he passes all of his medicals and makes weight. What a stud.”
With the loss on Saturday, Krause’s record now stands at 27-8. Prior to the defeat, he had won six in a row.
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