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James Krause: The Wild One
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Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 12:43 am
by Danny Acosta
James Krause: The Wild One
By Danny Acosta
Just because the sport is called mixed martial arts now instead of no-holds barred doesn’t mean it can’t be like those chaotic early days. WEC lightweight James Krause knows 2005’s Bonnar-Griffin Boom didn’t pave all roads in gold—or even asphalt.
Despite only two years’ experience, Krause’s travels have been rough en route to fighting for the WEC and being seen in millions of homes on Versus. The Missourian once drove roughly 13 hours to South Dakota for a tournament where he “pretty much” fought for pennies in sketchy surroundings.
“I had one fight and I had the guy’s brother rush the cage,” said Krause, estimating his impromptu challenger was 6’4, 300-pounds. “The whole crowd, it was in his hometown and he was favored to win and I actually had to fight my way back to the dressing room.”
While he quips he’d meet the attacker at a 195-pound catch weight, Krause is serious about the inner-workings of fighting. WEC’s bigger paydays haven’t deterred him from battling for $1,500 with a hometown promoter. After a 20-fight amateur career, the Blue River Community College student simply wants what he earned in victory. After all, extra cash couldn’t hurt as he was selling cell phones for T-Mobile just a few months ago.
Against Lamas, Krause feels a performance-based bonus couldn’t be too far down the road. The “overwhelming” jitters that contributed to his first loss—a WEC debut submission defeat to Donald Cerrone at WEC 41 in June—are gone. Meeting a quick and decisive downfall after finishing 10 opponents in 10 bouts prior to that contest seems like a bitter punch to swallow yet Krause feels good about it. It’s motivated him in training and he’s set to return to the play-it-by-ear style that found him success.
“I definitely want to stay here [in the WEC]. I think with this next fight coming up…it’s never good to lose two-in-a-row, so I’m sure me and Lamas both are hungry and neither one of us wanna go anywhere so I think its gonna make for a great fight,” said Krause, noting he can put his legs behind his head, works well off his back and has a reach advantage over Lamas.
Searching for his first win inside the WEC’s blue cage, Krause reveals his full-time fighter status—knocking out the five credits needed for his Associate’s Degree is on hold—is an all-or-nothing proposition.
“I did have a [motorcycle]. I sold it when I got signed to WEC,” said Krause, perhaps shedding light on why he didn’t mind fighting at a rowdy biker rally. “I sold it so I don’t have to go back to work.”
Without his bike, Krause has his chance to do his Marlon Brando Wild One impression when he rides into the cage this Wednesday night to work on Lamas.
Krause spoke with Acosta on Fox Sports’ Inside the Cage. Inside the Cage appears on Reno, NV 1450AM and is hosted by Greg Delong with co-host Danny Acosta.
