"I wrestled for the high school team like two years. I wasn't very good, though," Krause said. "I probably had a five hundred record if I was lucky. I played basketball too, but I didn't play for the school, I played for some other teams and stuff like that. Other than that, I wasn't real athletic."
And it's this realization in a sea of people transitioning to MMA these days from other sports that makes him unique. Where Krause wasn't a special athlete or martial artist beforehand, the second he started MMA an argument can be made that he became one. Unlike others who could've made it in several sports, Krause was only meant for one.
He's an MMA fighter through and through, and perhaps that makes him as dangerous as anyone. And lucky for About Martial Arts Guide Robert Rousseau, Krause decided to take the time to talk with him about his background, upcoming WEC 44 fight with Ricardo Lamas in November, and more
James Krause Interview Q&A Interview Responses
On where he started training in MMA: "A little gym here in Missouri, it was called The House of Pain. Started training, like two or three weeks later had I my first amateur fight."
On why he started training in MMA: "Stay out of trouble, stay in shape, (and) keep active. . . Something to pass the time pretty much, and it turned into a career."
On the role his family played in him geting involved in MMA: "None at all. My mom and dad are divorced. I lived with my mom at the time, she obviously wasn't big on the fact of me getting hit a lot (laughing). She didn't push it away either. Kind of like, do what you want type of deal I did and she's been to almost every one of my fights. She likes watching me now. ..."
On MMA fighter Eric Marriott: "Eric's one of my best friends and close training partners. Yeah, we started together."
On the difference between his uneventful wrestling start and MMA success: "I think the main difference for me anyway... I'm built really weird for wrestling. I'm really tall, skinny. In wrestling, I never really cut any weight or anything like that (and seemed to be) going against real stocky dudes that are always stronger than me. I just kind of did it (wrestling) just to do it. My heart was never really into it.
When I first started (MMA training) I was probably more of a jiu jitsu guy than anything. My build is really good for it. Jiu jitsu is like tailor made for my body right now. I cut 30 plus pounds a fight, so I'm usually bigger than the guy I'm fighting. I love doing it too. My heart's in it. I'm hungry for it, I want to learn."
On his fighting style: "I would like to think I'm well rounded. Probably a shade more of a jiu jitsu guy. But if you watched my fight with Cerrone, I don't have a problem banging either. I'll definitely stand up if I have to. You pick your poison, I'll go wherever. I'm 6-foot-2, so a lot of guys want to take me down. They don't want to strike with me because I'm so much taller."
On the person that had the greatest impact on him learning jiu jitsu: "To be honest, when I very first started, Eric Marriott. He'd been doing it for a year, year and a half, and he was a huge part of making me get better. Taking me through the baby steps [and] learning your basic stuff- guard, half guard, all that good stuff and your basic submissions- armbar, triangle.
I never really had a formal jiu jitsu teacher. I've always just been real good; I just study people. I've watched a lot of videos, clips, anything I can learn from...I pick up stuff real easy. Most of my submissions are triangles, so I'm insanely flexible and that helps a lot."
On his first foray into the WEC against Donald Cerrone: "They threw me a wolf on the first fight, and I thought that I at least showed everybody that I belonged there."
On upcoming opponent Ricardo Lamas: "He looks to be a real good wrestler. I think he's like a two time All American or something like that. I always match up really good with wrestlers. They take me down, I'm best off my back. I feel like it's a good match up for me. He was standing with Castillo last time and he got knocked out. If he wants to stand, I have six inch reach on him, six inch height difference on him. I feel comfortable enough standing. If he wants to take me down, put me on my back, I feel fine there to. I'm real happy with the match up."
More on James Krause
Favorite sport other than combat sports: Football (to watch) and Basketball (to play)- "To be honest, ever since I started fighting I don't watch any other sports."
Favorite sports movie: Any Given Sunday
MMA Fighter you most look up to: "The Diaz brothers, Thiago Alves, I'm a big Mike Swick fan, Mayhem Miller, take your pick out of any one of those guys."
Person most responsible for your MMA success, other than yourself: Eric Marriott, Larry Reyes, Rob Kimmons (more recently)
For more on James Krause, check out his website at www.thejameskrause.com.
