Raufeon Stots (born December 16, 1988) is an American

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorpo ...

and graduated

collegiate wrestler Collegiate wrestling (also known as folkstyle wrestling) is the form of wrestling practiced at the college and university level in the United States. This style of wrestling, with some slight modifications, is also practiced at high school and ...

currently competing in the bantamweight division of

Bellator MMA Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) is an American mixed martial arts promotion founded in 2008 and based in Santa Monica, California, owned and operated as a subsidiary of television and media conglomerate Paramount Glob ...

, where he is the current Interim

Bellator Bantamweight Champion Bellator MMA (formerly known as "Bellator Fighting Championships") is an American mixed martial arts promotion, and the following is a history of its champions in each weight class. At the time of its inception in 2008, CEO Bjorn Rebney founded B ...

. As a wrestler, he is a two-time NCAA Division II champion. As of December 13, 2022, he is #9 in the Bellator men's pound-for-pound rankings.

Background

Stots grew up modestly in Houston, Texas with his mother and two brothers. He started

wrestling Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat ...

in his

junior year A junior is person in the third year at an educational institution; usually at a secondary school or at the college and university level, but also in other forms of post-secondary educational institutions. In United States high schools, a juni ...

at Klein Oak High School in

Klein, Texas Klein is an unincorporated community in Harris County, Texas, United States, roughly bordering Texas State Highway 99 to the north, Texas State Highway 249 to the west, Interstate 45 to the east, and the city of Houston to the south. It includes ...

after the passing of his mother. 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 A freshman, fresher, first year, or frosh, is a person in the first year at an educational institution, usually a secondary school or at the college and university level, but also in other forms of post-secondary educational institutions. A ...

. As a

sophomore In the United States, a sophomore ( or ) is a person in the second year at an educational institution; usually at a secondary school or at the college and university level, but also in other forms of Post-secondary school, post-secondary educati ...

, he once again qualified for the NJCAA tournament, but did not place. He then transferred to the University of Nebraska-Kearney (

NCAA Division II NCAA Division II (D-II) is an intermediate-level division of competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It offers an alternative to both the larger and better-funded Division I and to the scholarship-free environmen ...

), 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 A team is a group of individuals (human or non-human) working together to achieve their goal. As defined by Professor Leigh Thompson of the Kellogg School of Management, " team is a group of people who are interdependent with respect to infor ...

reach the team title. As a

senior Senior (shortened as Sr.) means "the elder" in Latin and is often used as a suffix for the elder of two or more people in the same family with the same given name, usually a parent or grandparent. It may also refer to: * Senior (name), a surname ...

, he compiled his second NCAA title and helped the team win the team championship before graduating. When transferring from

collegiate wrestling Collegiate wrestling (also known as folkstyle wrestling) is the form of wrestling practiced at the college and university level in the United States. This style of wrestling, with some slight modifications, is also practiced at high school and mi ...

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. During his transition, fellow Nebraska at Kearney wrestler-turned-MMA

Kamaru Usman Kamarudeen Usman (born May 11, 1987) is a Nigerian and American professional mixed martial artist, former freestyle wrestler and retired folkstyle wrestler. He currently competes in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championsh ...

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 Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on strike (attack), striking, grappling and ground f ...

after being introduced to the sport by Jens Pulver and Pat Miletich. 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. After losing the bout, he compiled 4 more wins before getting signed by

. 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.

Bellator MMA

In his promotional debut, Stots faced Cheyden Leialoha on December 21, 2019, at Bellator 236. He won the bout by unanimous decision. Stots faced Cass Bell on July 24, 2020, at Bellator 242. He won the match via submission in the third round. Stots faced Keith Lee at Bellator 253 on November 19, 2020. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Stots faced Josh Hill at Bellator 258 on May 7, 2021. He won the bout via unanimous decision. Stots was scheduled to face

Magomed Magomedov Magomed Magomedov may also refer to: * Magomed Magomedov (fighter) (born 1991), Russian mixed martial artist * Magomed Gadjievich Magomedov (1957–2013), Russian judge * Magomed Magomedov (kickboxer) (born 1982), Russian kickboxer * Magomed Mago ...

on July 31, 2021, at Bellator 263. On July 19, it was announced that the bout was scratched from the event. It was rescheduled for Bellator 264 on August 13, 2021. Stots won the bout via unanimous decision.

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. 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. 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. In the

semi-finals A single-elimination, knockout, or sudden death tournament is a type of elimination tournament where the loser of each match-up is immediately eliminated from the tournament. Each winner will play another in the next round, until the final mat ...

, Stots faced Danny Sabatello on December 9, 2022 in the main event at Bellator 289. He won the fight via split decision.

Personal life

Stots has a son, Clarence (born 2018).

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed Martial Arts

** Bellator Interim Bantamweight World Championship (One time, current) ***One successful title defence

Folkstyle wrestling

National Collegiate Athletic Association The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athlete, student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also organizes the athletic sports, ...

NCAA The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also organizes the athletic programs of colleges and ...

Division II

Champion A champion (from the late Latin ''campio'') is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional / provincial, state, national, continental and world championships, ...

out of

University of Nebraska at Kearney The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) is a campus of the public University of Nebraska system and located in Kearney, Nebraska. It was founded in 1905 as the Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney. History In March 1903 the Nebraska St ...

(2012, 2013) **

All-American out of

(2012, 2013) *

National Junior College Athletic Association The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), founded in 1938, is the governing association of community college, state college and junior college athletics throughout the United States. Currently the NJCAA holds 24 separate regions ...

NJCAA The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), founded in 1938, is the governing association of community college, state college and junior college athletics throughout the United States. Currently the NJCAA holds 24 separate regions ...

All-American out of Labette Community College (2009)

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Win , align=center, 19–1 , Danny Sabatello , Decision (split) , Bellator 289 , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Uncasville, Connecticut Uncasville is an area in the town of Montville, Connecticut, United States. It is a village in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River where it flows into the Thames River. The name is now applied more generally to all of the ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 18–1 , Juan Archuleta , KO (knee and elbows) , Bellator 279 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 0:16 ,

Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the islan ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 17–1 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , Bellator 264 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 16–1 , Josh Hill , Decision (unanimous) , Bellator 258 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 15–1 , Keith Lee , Decision (unanimous) , Bellator 253 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 14–1 , Cass Bell , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Bellator 242 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:24 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 13–1 , Cheyden Leialoha , Decision (unanimous) , Bellator 236 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 12–1 , Ralph Acosta , Decision (unanimous) , LFA 68 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Dallas, Texas Dallas () is the third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 million people. It is the largest city in and seat of Dallas County wi ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 11–1 , Levi Mowles , Decision (unanimous) , LFA 55 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 10–1 , Ryan Lilley , TKO (punches) , LFA 48 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:00 ,

Kearney, Nebraska Kearney is the county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 30,787 in the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. It is home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The westward push o ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–1 , Arnold Berdon , Submission (rear-naked choke) , VFC 59 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:36 ,

Omaha, Nebraska Omaha ( ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Nebraska and the county seat of Douglas County, Nebraska, Douglas County. Omaha is in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. List of ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 8–1 , Merab Dvalishvili , KO (spinning backfist) , ROC 59 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:15 ,

Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, Boardwalk (entertainment district), boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020 United States censu ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–0 , Rob Emerson , Decision (unanimous) , VFC 56 , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–0 , Jeff Curran , Decision (unanimous) , VFC 53 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Waterloo, Iowa Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census the population was 67,314, making it the eighth-largest city in the state. The city is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Fall ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–0 , Charlie DuBray , Submission (rear-naked choke) , VFC 52 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:52 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–0 , William Joplin , KO (punch) , VFC 49 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:18 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–0 , Demetrius Wilson , Submission (rear-naked choke) , VFC 47 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:45 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , Rob Menigoz , Decision (unanimous) , UCL: Cut Throath , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Hammond, Indiana Hammond ( ) is a city in Lake County, Indiana, Lake County, Indiana. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area, and the only city in Indiana to border Chicago. First settled in the mid-19th century, it is one of the oldest cities of northern L ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Mitch White , Decision (unanimous) , LFC 43 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Hinckley, Minnesota Hinckley is a city in Pine County, Minnesota, United States, located at the junction of Interstate 35 and Minnesota State Highway 48. The population was 1,800 at the 2010 census. Hinckley's name in the Ojibwe language is ''Gaa-zhiigwanaabikoka ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Mike Hebdon , TKO (punches) , EC 232 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:35 ,

Clinton, Iowa Clinton is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 24,469 as of 2020. Clinton, along with DeWitt (also located in Clinton County), was named in honor of the sixth governor of New York, DeWitt Cl ...

, 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 , -

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Stots, Raufeon Living people American male sport wrestlers Amateur wrestlers 1988 births Nebraska–Kearney Lopers wrestlers Sportspeople from Houston University of Nebraska at Kearney alumni American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu American male mixed martial artists Bantamweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu American sportspeople of Nigerian descent Mixed martial artists from Texas