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Following UFC on ESPN 11, there has been much debate within the mixed martial arts community about the coaching strategy of Robert Drysdale while cornering Ultimate Fighting Championship newcomer Max Rohskopf. Before the start of the third round, on nine occasions Drysdale refused his charge when the six-fight veteran asked out of the bout. A situation like this can be difficult and emotional for both fighter and coach. On this week’s episode of Back Talk, James Krause was able to offer some unique perspective from the point of view of an active UFC fighter, as well as a coach for several other talents on the roster.
“I don’t think Drysdale did anything wrong,” Krause told Sherdog. “Because the guy asked out, and at the end of the round he asked him one last time, ‘You’re done?’ And he said, ‘yea’ and [Drysdale] goes ‘OK.’ He said OK like we’ll stop it then. I think as a coach, we understand the sacrifice that goes into [the sport]. Especially when you use Max as an example. Max is 5-0, he’s young, he’s inexperienced in high-level fighting [and] he’s very talented. I have been watching him for a very long time. I think when a coach says that stuff it’s not about trying to get him to go back to the fight. It’s more about saving himself from the guy he’s going to have to look in the mirror. That you made all this sacrifice, gone all this way, to quit on the stool. At the end of the day fighters have to look themselves in the mirror and know that. I know people that have done that before, and it’s something that stays with you the rest of your life. It’s such a tough position to be put in. You’re the coach because you have the experience, but no coach has a lot of experience in people quitting on the stool.”
In his co-hosting role on the show this week, Krause also spoke on the issue of fighter pay, and if a union could change the situation. He gave tips on ways to best maximize fight purses for the long-term. He then talked about his manager filing a grievance with the Texas State Athletic Commission after a controversial loss to Trevin Giles in February, as well as his desire for a rematch with “The Problem” again at middleweight. In addition, he gave his opinion on UFC President Dana White calling the promotion an opportunity for fighters and not career.
