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Raufeon Stots

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Raufeon Stots
Born (1988-12-16) December 16, 1988 (age 35)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Other namesSupa
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
DivisionBantamweight
StyleWrestling
Fighting out ofMilwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Team802 MMA (2013–2014)[1][2]
Miletich Fighting Systems (2014–2015)[1][2]
Roufusport (2015–present)[1][2]
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3]
WrestlingNCAA Division II Wrestling[4]
Years active2015–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins18
By knockout4
By submission4
By decision10
Losses1
By knockout1
UniversityUniversity of Nebraska at Kearney
Notable school(s)Klein Oak High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Nebraska–Kearney Lopers


NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
Gold medal – first place 2012 Pueblo 149 lb
Gold medal – first place 2013 Birmingham 149 lb

Raufeon Stots (born December 16, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist and graduated collegiate wrestler currently competing in the bantamweight division of Bellator MMA, where he is the current Interim Bellator Bantamweight Champion. As a wrestler, he is a two-time NCAA Division II champion. As of June 28, 2022, he is #10 in the Bellator men's pound-for-pound rankings.[5]

Background

Stots grew up modestly in Houston, Texas with his mother and two brothers.[2] He started wrestling in his junior year at Klein Oak High School in Klein, Texas after the passing of his mother.[1] He then earned a scholarship at Labette Community College and became an All-American with a fourth-place finish in the NJCAA level as a freshman.[6] As a sophomore, he once again qualified for the NJCAA tournament, but did not place.[7] He then transferred to the University of Nebraska-Kearney (NCAA Division II), where he was forced to take a medical redshirt instead of a junior season.[6] When he came back as a junior, he won his first DII title with a record of 30 wins and 6 losses, helping the team reach the team title.[7] As a senior, he compiled his second NCAA title and helped the team win the team championship before graduating.[8][4]

When transferring from collegiate wrestling to mixed martial arts, Stots found that it wasn't only his work ethic but also the body awareness that helped him move over and adapt to the new sport quickly.[9]

During his transition, fellow Nebraska at Kearney wrestler-turned-MMA, Kamaru Usman, took Stots under his wing as a mentor. Usman was pushed to Stots by his mother due to the Nigerian roots both wrestlers shared.[9]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Stots got into mixed martial arts after being introduced to the sport by Jens Pulver and Pat Miletich.[10] After turning pro in May 2015, he compiled 8 wins and no losses before competing at a regional event featured on the Lookin' for a Fight show, in an attempt of getting signed by the UFC.[11] After losing the bout, he compiled 4 more wins before getting signed by Bellator MMA.[12][13]

Stots chose to sign with Bellator out of LFA due to where he saw the promotion heading. Stots said the signing of prospects in the sport instead of former UFC fighters was a big reason, giving him the opportunity to fight some of the best in the world. In addition to that, the Grand Prix tournaments put on by the promotion was another deciding factor for Stots.[9]

Bellator MMA

In his promotional debut, Stots faced Cheyden Leialoha on December 21, 2019, at Bellator 236.[14] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[15]

Stots faced Cass Bell on July 24, 2020, at Bellator 242.[16] He won the match via submission in the third round.[17]

Stots faced Keith Lee at Bellator 253 on November 19, 2020. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[18]

Stots faced Josh Hill at Bellator 258 on May 7, 2021.[19] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[20]

Stots was scheduled to face Magomed Magomedov on July 31, 2021, at Bellator 263.[21] On July 19, it was announced that the bout was scratched from the event.[22] It was rescheduled for Bellator 264 on August 13, 2021.[23] Stots won the bout via unanimous decision.[24]

Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix and Interim Champ

In the first round bout of the $1 million Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Tournament, Stots was scheduled to face Sergio Pettis for the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship on April 23, 2022, at Bellator 279.[25] However, Pettis was forced to pull out of the bout and the Grand Prix after sustaining an injury that required surgery, resulting in Juan Archuleta taking his place and the bout now being held for the Interim Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.[26] Stots won the bout and became the interim champion after knocking down Archuleta with a head kick and then finishing him on the ground with elbows at the beginning of the third round.[27]

In the semi-finals, Stots is scheduled to face Danny Sabatello on December 9, 2022 at Bellator 289.[28]

Personal life

Stots has a son, Clarence (born 2018).[29]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed Martial Arts

Folkstyle wrestling

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
19 matches 18 wins 1 loss
By knockout 4 1
By submission 4 0
By decision 10 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 18–1 Juan Archuleta KO (head kick and elbows) Bellator 279 April 23, 2022 3 0:16 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Tournament Quarter-Final bout. Won the interim Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Win 17–1 Magomed Magomedov Decision (unanimous) Bellator 264 August 13, 2021 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 16–1 Josh Hill Decision (unanimous) Bellator 258 May 7, 2021 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 15–1 Keith Lee Decision (unanimous) Bellator 253 November 19, 2020 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 14–1 Cass Bell Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 242 July 24, 2020 3 1:24 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 13–1 Cheyden Leialoha Decision (unanimous) Bellator 236 December 21, 2019 3 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 12–1 Ralph Acosta Decision (unanimous) LFA 68 May 31, 2019 3 5:00 Dallas, Texas, United States
Win 11–1 Levi Mowles Decision (unanimous) LFA 55 November 30, 2018 3 5:00 Dallas, Texas, United States
Win 10–1 Ryan Lilley TKO (punches) LFA 48 September 7, 2018 3 3:00 Kearney, Nebraska, United States
Win 9–1 Arnold Berdon Submission (rear-naked choke) VFC 59 December 16, 2017 1 4:36 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Loss 8–1 Merab Dvalishvili KO (spinning backfist) ROC 59 June 2, 2017 1 0:15 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 8–0 Rob Emerson Decision (unanimous) VFC 56 April 14, 2017 5 5:00 Omaha, Nebraska, United States Won the VFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 7–0 Jeff Curran Decision (unanimous) VFC 53 November 23, 2016 3 5:00 Waterloo, Iowa, United States
Win 6–0 Charlie DuBray Submission (rear-naked choke) VFC 52 July 16, 2016 2 4:52 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Win 5–0 William Joplin KO (punch) VFC 49 April 1, 2016 1 1:18 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Win 4–0 Demetrius Wilson Submission (rear-naked choke) VFC 47 January 29, 2016 3 4:45 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Win 3–0 Rob Menigoz Decision (unanimous) UCL: Cut Throath September 19, 2015 3 5:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 2–0 Mitch White Decision (unanimous) LFC 43 July 17, 2015 3 5:00 Hinckley, Minnesota, United States
Win 1–0 Mike Hebdon TKO (punches) EC 232 May 30, 2015 2 0:35 Clinton, Iowa, United States

NCAA record

NCAA Division II Championships Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event
2013 NCAA (DII) Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 149 lbs
Win 8–0 Jacobd Horn 4-3 March 8–9, 2013 2013 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
Win 7-0 James Martinez MD 12-4
Win 6–0 Ryan Maus 6-1
Win 5–0 Nate Herda 3-2
2012 NCAA (DII) Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 149 lbs
Win 4–0 John Hagerty 5-4 March 9–10, 2012 2012 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
Win 3-0 Ky Corley 6-1
Win 2–0 Nate Herda 8-5
Win 1–0 Nathan Link MD 12-4

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Kuhl, Dan. "Bellator 236's Raufeon Stots: He's Coming for the BBQ". Combat Press. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  2. ^ a b c d Darren Potts (March 12, 2021). "The Pottscast, with Raufeon Stots" (Podcast).
  3. ^ "Raufeon Stots on Instagram: "Put ya head down and do the work! The rest will take care of itself 💪🏾🙏🏾 @danielswbjj @wanderleyjiujitsu"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  4. ^ a b "Raufeon Stots | Wrestling Instructor | Roufusport Mixed Martial Arts MMA Academy Milwaukee | Wauwatosa WI". Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  5. ^ "Bellator Rankings". www.bellator.com. Retrieved 2021-06-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b writer, Dylan Garner / World-Herald staff. "Stots rose from adversity to accolades". Omaha.com. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  7. ^ a b "Raufeon Stots - Wrestling". University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  8. ^ "Raufeon Stots (3/12/2013) - Athlete Awards". University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  9. ^ a b c Blaine Henry (December 16, 2020). "Raufeon Stots: Title Chasing". Fight-Library.com.
  10. ^ "Roufusport's newest star, Raufeon Stots, ready for UFC call ahead of Victory FC title fight". MMA Junkie. 2017-04-13. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  11. ^ Kuhl, Dan. "Bellator 236's Raufeon Stots: He's Coming for the BBQ". Combat Press. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  12. ^ "Top bantamweight free agent Raufeon Stots signs multi-fight deal with Bellator". MMA Junkie. 2019-10-09. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  13. ^ Sherdog.com. "After Getting the 'Runaround' from UFC, Raufeon Stots Feels Wanted in Bellator MMA". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  14. ^ "Raufeon Stots vs. Cheyden Leialoha added to Bellator 236 main card". MMA Junkie. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
  15. ^ Doherty, Dan (2019-12-21). "Bellator 236 Results: Raufeon Stots Takes Decision in Promotional Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  16. ^ "Cass Bell faces toughest test yet at Bellator 242". Times-Standard. 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  17. ^ silfen, jack CYCLONE (2020-07-25). "Bellator 242: Raufeon Stots hands Cass Bell his first loss". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
  18. ^ Anderson, Jay. "Bellator 253 Results: Raufeon Stots Captures Decision Over Keith Lee". Cage Side Press. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  19. ^ King, Nolan; Hannoun, Farrah (4 March 2021). "Raufeon Stots vs. Josh Hill in the works for Bellator 258". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  20. ^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 258 'Archuleta vs. Pettis' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
  21. ^ "Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots in the works for Bellator 263". MMA Junkie. 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  22. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2021-07-19). "Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots off of Bellator 263". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  23. ^ "Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots now set for Bellator 264 in August". MMA Junkie. 2021-07-27. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  24. ^ "Bellator 264 results: Raufeon Stots outworks Magomed Magomedov, wants bantamweight tournament or title shot". MMA Junkie. 2021-08-14. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  25. ^ "Bellator 278 & 279 to be held in Hawaii, headlined by return of Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, Cyborg title defense, and Bantamweight Grand Prix". KHON2. 2022-03-09. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  26. ^ "Bellator 279 card: Sergio Pettis out of Bantamweight World Grand Prix with injury, Juan Archuleta steps in". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
  27. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-04-24). "Bellator 279: Raufeon Stots Scores Stupendous Knockout of Archuleta to Claim Interim Belt, Advance in Grand Prix". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  28. ^ "Stots-Sabatello, Magomedov-Mix bantamweight semifinals set for Bellator 289 in December". MMA Junkie. 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  29. ^ Nolan King (May 6, 2021). Raufeon Stots sees fight with main training partner Sergio Pettis. MMAjunkie.com – via YouTube.
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