James Krause returning to lightweight at UFC Fight Night 124 in St. Louis

After much deliberation, James Krause will return to the UFC lightweight division for his next bout.

Following a stint on Season 25 of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series in which he competed at welterweight, Krause (24-7 MMA, 5-3 UFC) was struggling to decide whether staying put in the division or moving back down to his regular home at lightweight would be in his best interest going forward.

Krause defeated Tom Gallicchio by unanimous decision at the TUF 25 Finale in July but doesn’t feel his current frame is appropriate for 170 pounds. Krause said he’ll return to 155 for his next bout, which he revealed is scheduled to take place Jan. 14 at the FS1-televised UFC Fight Night 124 in St. Louis.

“It’ll be about two years since I’ve made the weight; 23 months on weigh-in (day) for when I made (lightweight) last,” Krause told MMAjunkie. “I had that staph infection after the show, and I lost a lot of weight. I really just haven’t put on the weight that I once had. I’m walking a little bit lighter than I used to. Normally I would be walking at 190, 195. I’m between 180 and 185 now. We’ll see what that looks like.

“That’s what I’m trying to do is just get to where I need to be. If I do decide to go back to welterweight, I’m going to need to take some time off and put on some lean muscle and get a little bit stronger.”

Krause, 31, would not reveal the name of his opponent at UFC Fight Night 124, but hinted it’s a matchup fans will be eager to watch. Krause is currently riding a three-fight winning streak in official UFC bouts but experienced defeat in an exhibition affair on “TUF 25.”

The “Redemption” season of the reality series featured a crop of returning fighters from past seasons of the show. Krause was the only active member of the UFC roster who was on the cast, and he wanted to do that after being bounced in the elimination round on Season 15.

Krause made it to the semifinals of the tournament before losing to eventual winner Jesse Taylor by third-round submission. He didn’t accomplish his overall goal of winning the tournament, but Krause said he took many positives away from the experience that will help his career going forward.

“The phenomenal thing about ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ is a feel like there’s multiple ways to win that show,” Krause said. “Although I didn’t win that competition, I do feel like I won the show, if that makes any sense at all. I set goals, multiple goals for when I went on there. I know I didn’t win the competition, but I definitely feel like I made the most of the show.

“I used the time to make myself presentable, make myself likable, and I’ve gained a much bigger following because of it. I’m not happy I didn’t win, but I think that’s what’s great about that show. There’s so many variables.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 124, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.