Raufeon Stots Explained

Raufeon Stots
Other Names:Supa
Birth Date:December 16, 1988
Birth Place:Houston, Texas, U.S.
Weight:135lb
Weight Class:Bantamweight
Style:Wrestling
Fighting Out Of:Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Team:802 MMA (2013–2014)[1]
Miletich Fighting Systems (2014–2015)
Roufusport (2015–present)
Rank:Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Wrestling:NCAA Division II Wrestling[3]
Years Active:2015–present
Mma Kowin:4
Mma Subwin:5
Mma Decwin:12
Mma Koloss:2
University:University of Nebraska at Kearney
School:Klein Oak High School
Sherdog:175345
Medaltemplates: Nebraska–Kearney Lopers
Show-Medals:yes

Raufeon Stots (born December 16, 1988) is a Nigerian-American[4] professional mixed martial artist and graduated collegiate wrestler. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of Bellator MMA, where he is a former Interim Bellator Bantamweight Champion. As a wrestler, he is a two-time NCAA Division II champion.

Background

Stots grew up modestly in Houston, Texas, with his mother and two brothers. He started wrestling in his junior year at Klein Oak High School in Klein, Texas, after the passing of his mother.[5] 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. 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. As a senior, he compiled his second NCAA title and helped the team win the team championship before graduating.[8] [9]

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.[10]

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.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Stots got into mixed martial arts after being introduced to the sport by Jens Pulver and Pat Miletich.[11] 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.[12] After losing the bout, he compiled 4 more wins before getting signed by Bellator MMA.[13] [14]

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.[10]

Bellator MMA

In his promotional debut, Stots faced Cheyden Leialoha on December 21, 2019, at Bellator 236.[15] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[16]

Stots faced Cass Bell on July 24, 2020, at Bellator 242.[17] He won the match via submission in the third round.[18]

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

Stots faced Josh Hill at Bellator 258 on May 7, 2021.[20] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[21]

Stots was scheduled to face Magomed Magomedov on July 31, 2021, at Bellator 263.[22] On July 19, it was announced that the bout was scratched from the event.[23] It was rescheduled for Bellator 264 on August 13, 2021.[24] Stots won the bout via unanimous decision.[25]

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.[26] 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.[27] 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.[28]

In the semi-finals, Stots faced Danny Sabatello on December 9, 2022, in the main event at Bellator 289.[29] He won the fight via controversial split decision.[30] 4 out of 6 media outlets scored it for Stots.

In the finals, Stots faced Patchy Mix on April 22, 2023, at Bellator 295.[31] He lost the bout and the title, getting knocked out in the first round with a step up knee.[32]

Stots rematched Danny Sabatello on November 17, 2023, at Bellator 301.[33] In a thrilling bout, Stots won the bout via unanimous decision.[34]

Stots was scheduled to face Marcos Breno on September 7, 2024, at Bellator Champions Series 4.[35] However, the bout was removed from the event for unknown reasons.[36] The bout was rescheduled to instead take place on October 19, 2024, at .[37] Stots won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[38]

Personal life

Stots is married to Michaela whom he met in college. She is an educator and mother. Stots has two sons, Clarence (born 2018) and Ikechukwu.[39]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Folkstyle wrestling

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Win|align=center|21–2|Marcos Breno|Submission (rear-naked choke)|||align=center|3|align=center|3:01|Riyadh, Saudi Arabia||-|Win|align=center|20–2|Danny Sabatello|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 301||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Chicago, Illinois, United States||-|Loss|align=center|19–2|Patchy Mix|KO (knee)|Bellator 295||align=center|1|align=center|1:20|Honolulu, Hawaii, United States||-|Win|align=center|19–1|Danny Sabatello|Decision (split)|Bellator 289||align=center|5|align=center|5:00|Uncasville, Connecticut, United States||-|Win|align=center| 18–1| Juan Archuleta| KO (head kick and elbows)| Bellator 279| | align=center|3| align=center|0:16| Honolulu, Hawaii, United States||-|Win|align=center| 17–1|Magomed Magomedov|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 264||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Uncasville, Connecticut, United States||-|Win|align=center| 16–1 |Josh Hill|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 258||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Uncasville, Connecticut, United States||-|Win|align=center|15–1|Keith Lee|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 253||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Uncasville, Connecticut, United States||-|Win|align=center|14–1|Cass Bell|Submission (rear-naked choke)|Bellator 242||align=center|3|align=center|1:24|Uncasville, Connecticut, United States||-|Win|align=center|13–1|Cheyden Leialoha|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 236||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Honolulu, Hawaii, United States||-|Win|align=center|12–1|Ralph Acosta|Decision (unanimous)|LFA 68||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Dallas, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|11–1|Levi Mowles|Decision (unanimous)|LFA 55||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Dallas, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|10–1|Ryan Lilley|TKO (punches)|LFA 48||align=center|3|align=center|3:00|Kearney, Nebraska, United States||-|Win|align=center|9–1|Arnold Berdon|Submission (rear-naked choke)|Victory FC 59||align=center|1|align=center|4:36|Omaha, Nebraska, United States|||-|Loss|align=center|8–1|Merab Dvalishvili|KO (spinning backfist)|Ring of Combat 59||align=center|1|align=center|0:15|Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States|||-|Win|align=center|8–0|Rob Emerson|Decision (unanimous)|Victory FC 56||align=center|5|align=center|5:00|Omaha, Nebraska, United States||-|Win|align=center|7–0|Jeff Curran|Decision (unanimous)|Victory FC 53||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Waterloo, Iowa, United States||-|Win|align=center|6–0|Charlie DuBray|Submission (rear-naked choke)|Victory FC 52||align=center|2|align=center|4:52|Omaha, Nebraska, United States||-|Win|align=center|5–0|William Joplin|KO (punch)|Victory FC 49||align=center|1|align=center|1:18|Omaha, Nebraska, United States||-|Win|align=center|4–0|Demetrius Wilson|Submission (rear-naked choke)|Victory FC 47||align=center|3|align=center|4:45|Omaha, Nebraska, United States||-|Win|align=center|3–0|Rob Menigoz|Decision (unanimous)|United Combat League: Cut Throath||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Hammond, Indiana, United States||-|Win|align=center|2–0|Mitch White|Decision (unanimous)|Legacy FC 43||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Hinckley, Minnesota, United States||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Mike Hebdon|TKO (punches)|Extreme Challenge 232||align=center|2|align=center|0:35|Clinton, Iowa, United States|

NCAA record

! colspan="8"| NCAA Division II Championships Matches|-! Res.! Record! Opponent! Score! Date! Event|-! style=background:white colspan=6 |2013 NCAA (DII) Championships at 149 lbs|-|Win|8–0|align=left|Jacobd Horn|style="font-size:88%"|4-3|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|March 8–9, 2013|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|2013 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships|-|Win|7-0|align=left|James Martinez|style="font-size:88%"|MD 12-4|-|Win|6–0|align=left|Ryan Maus|style="font-size:88%"|6-1|-|Win|5–0|align=left|Nate Herda|style="font-size:88%"|3-2|-! style=background:white colspan=6 |2012 NCAA (DII) Championships at 149 lbs|-|Win|4–0|align=left|John Hagerty|style="font-size:88%"|5-4|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|March 9–10, 2012|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|2012 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships|-|Win|3-0|align=left|Ky Corley|style="font-size:88%"|6-1|-|Win|2–0|align=left|Nate Herda|style="font-size:88%"|8-5|-|Win|1–0|align=left|Nathan Link|style="font-size:88%"|MD 12-4|-

See also

Notes and References

  1. The Pottscast, with Raufeon Stots. March 12, 2021. Darren Potts.
  2. Web site: Raufeon Stots on Instagram: "Put ya head down and do the work! The rest will take care of itself @danielswbjj @wanderleyjiujitsu". https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CCpKFKCp7ff . 2021-12-26 . registration. 2020-07-22. Instagram. en.
  3. Web site: Raufeon Stots Wrestling Instructor Roufusport Mixed Martial Arts MMA Academy Milwaukee Wauwatosa WI. 2020-07-22. en-US.
  4. Web site: Lifestyle Interview: Raufeon Stots . 2024-10-01 . D'IYANU . en.
  5. Web site: Kuhl. Dan. Bellator 236's Raufeon Stots: He's Coming for the BBQ. 2020-07-20. Combat Press. en-US.
  6. Web site: writer. Dylan Garner / World-Herald staff. Stots rose from adversity to accolades. 2020-07-20. Omaha.com. 9 July 2013 . en.
  7. Web site: Raufeon Stots - Wrestling. 2020-07-20. University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics. en.
  8. Web site: Raufeon Stots (3/12/2013) - Athlete Awards. 2020-07-22. University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics. en.
  9. Web site: Raufeon Stots Wrestling Instructor Roufusport Mixed Martial Arts MMA Academy Milwaukee Wauwatosa WI. 2020-07-22. en-US.
  10. Web site: Raufeon Stots: Title Chasing. Fight-Library.com. Blaine Henry. December 16, 2020.
  11. Web site: 2017-04-13. Roufusport's newest star, Raufeon Stots, ready for UFC call ahead of Victory FC title fight. 2020-07-22. MMA Junkie. en.
  12. Web site: Kuhl. Dan. Bellator 236's Raufeon Stots: He's Coming for the BBQ. 2020-07-22. Combat Press. en-US.
  13. Web site: 2019-10-09. Top bantamweight free agent Raufeon Stots signs multi-fight deal with Bellator. 2020-07-22. MMA Junkie. en.
  14. Web site: Sherdog.com. After Getting the 'Runaround' from UFC, Raufeon Stots Feels Wanted in Bellator MMA. 2020-07-22. Sherdog.
  15. Web site: 2019-11-20. Raufeon Stots vs. Cheyden Leialoha added to Bellator 236 main card. 2020-07-25. MMA Junkie. en.
  16. Web site: Doherty. Dan. 2019-12-21. Bellator 236 Results: Raufeon Stots Takes Decision in Promotional Debut. 2020-07-22. Cageside Press. en-US.
  17. Web site: 2020-07-15. Cass Bell faces toughest test yet at Bellator 242. 2020-07-22. Times-Standard. en-US.
  18. Web site: silfen. jack CYCLONE. 2020-07-25. Bellator 242: Raufeon Stots hands Cass Bell his first loss. 2020-07-25. www.sportskeeda.com. en-us.
  19. Web site: Anderson . Jay . Bellator 253 Results: Raufeon Stots Captures Decision Over Keith Lee . Cage Side Press . 19 November 2020 . 1 March 2021.
  20. Web site: King . Nolan . Hannoun . Farrah . Raufeon Stots vs. Josh Hill in the works for Bellator 258 . MMA Junkie . 4 March 2021 . 4 March 2021.
  21. Web site: Sherdog.com. Bellator 258 'Archuleta vs. Pettis' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring. 2021-05-08. Sherdog.
  22. Web site: 2021-06-14. Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots in the works for Bellator 263. 2021-06-15. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  23. Web site: Lee. Alexander K.. 2021-07-19. Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots off of Bellator 263. 2021-07-20. MMA Fighting. en.
  24. Web site: 2021-07-27. Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots now set for Bellator 264 in August. 2021-07-27. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  25. Web site: 2021-08-14. Bellator 264 results: Raufeon Stots outworks Magomed Magomedov, wants bantamweight tournament or title shot. 2021-08-14. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  26. Web site: 2022-03-09 . Bellator 278 & 279 to be held in Hawaii, headlined by return of Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, Cyborg title defense, and Bantamweight Grand Prix . 2022-03-09 . KHON2 . en-US.
  27. Web site: Bellator 279 card: Sergio Pettis out of Bantamweight World Grand Prix with injury, Juan Archuleta steps in . 2022-03-22 . CBSSports.com . 22 March 2022 . en.
  28. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2022-04-24 . Bellator 279: Raufeon Stots Scores Stupendous Knockout of Archuleta to Claim Interim Belt, Advance in Grand Prix . 2022-04-24 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  29. Web site: 2022-08-29 . Stots-Sabatello, Magomedov-Mix bantamweight semifinals set for Bellator 289 in December . 2022-08-29 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  30. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2022-12-09 . Bellator 289: Raufeon Stots Wins Tight Split Decision Over Danny Sabatello . 2022-12-10 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  31. Web site: 2023-02-15 . Raufeon Stots vs. Patchy Mix grand prix final headlines Bellator 295 on April 22 in Hawaii . 2023-02-16 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  32. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2023-04-23 . Bellator 295: Patchy Mix Stuns with Knee Strike KO of Raufeon Stots to Win Bantamweight Grand Prix . 2023-04-23 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  33. Web site: 2023-09-13 . Bellator 301 set for Chicago: 2 title fights, including Sergio Pettis vs. Patchy Mix, grand prix semifinal, grudge rematch . 2023-09-14 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  34. Web site: 2023-11-18 . Bellator 301 results: Raufeon Stots beats Danny Sabatello in thriller, rubs it in during post-fight interview . 2023-11-18 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  35. Web site: Calhoun . Curtis . 2024-07-09 . Former Bellator champ Raufeon Stots booked for return on Sept. 7 . 2024-10-17 . BJPenn.com . en-US.
  36. Web site: Guillen . Adam . 2024-08-29 . Bellator San Diego loses two fights, including Raufeon Stots vs. Marcos Breno co-main event . 2024-08-30 . MMAmania.com . en.
  37. Web site: 2024-09-26 . PFL releases full fight card for Battle of the Giants: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira . 2024-10-17 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  38. Web site: PFL Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact Results. cagesidepress.com. Staff. 2024-10-19. 2024-10-19.
  39. Raufeon Stots sees fight with main training partner Sergio Pettis. May 6, 2021. YouTube. Nolan King. MMAjunkie.com.

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