Raufeon Stots
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. As a wrestler, he is a two-time NCAA Division II champion.
| Raufeon Stots | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | December 16, 1988 Houston, Texas, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Other names | Supa | ||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | American | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) | ||||||||||||||||
| Division | Bantamweight (135 lbs) | ||||||||||||||||
| Style | Wrestling | ||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Team | Roufusport | ||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Wrestling | NCAA Division II Wrestling[2] | ||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2015–present | ||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 16 | ||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 15 | ||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 8 | ||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Nebraska at Kearney | ||||||||||||||||
| Notable school(s) | Klein Oak High School | ||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||
.svg.png.webp){kind=icon}
Background
Stots started wrestling in his junior year at Klein Oak High School after the passing of his mother.[3] 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 (08'-09').[4] As a sophomore (09'-10'), he once again qualified for the NJCAA tournament, but did not place.[5] 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 (10'-11').[4] When he came back as a junior (11'-12'), he won his first DII title with a record of 30 wins and 6 losses, helping the team reach the team title.[5] As a senior (12'-13'), he compiled his second NCAA title and helped the team win the team championship before graduating.[6][7]
When transferring from collegiate wrwstling 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. [8]
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 Usman's mother due to the shared Nigerian heritage 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 of 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.[14]
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.
Championships and accomplishments
Folkstyle wrestling
- National Collegiate Athletic Association
- NCAA Division II Champion out of University of Nebraska at Kearney (2012, 2013)
- NCAA Division II All-American out of University of Nebraska at Kearney (2012, 2013)
- National Junior College Athletic Association
- NJCAA All-American out of Labette Community College (2009)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 16 matches | 15 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 3 | 1 |
| By submission | 4 | 0 |
| By decision | 8 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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  | |||||||
| 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 | |||||||
| 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 | ||||
References
- "Raufeon Stots on Instagram: "Put ya head down and do the work! The rest will take care of itself 💪🏾🙏🏾 @danielswbjj @wanderleyjiujitsu"". Instagram. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- "Raufeon Stots | Wrestling Instructor | Roufusport Mixed Martial Arts MMA Academy Milwaukee | Wauwatosa WI". Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- Kuhl, Dan. "Bellator 236's Raufeon Stots: He's Coming for the BBQ". Combat Press. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
- writer, Dylan Garner / World-Herald staff. "Stots rose from adversity to accolades". Omaha.com. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
- "Raufeon Stots - Wrestling". University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
- "Raufeon Stots (3/12/2013) - Athlete Awards". University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- "Raufeon Stots | Wrestling Instructor | Roufusport Mixed Martial Arts MMA Academy Milwaukee | Wauwatosa WI". Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- Blaine Henry (December 16, 2020). "Raufeon Stots: Title Chasing". Fight-Library.com.
- Blaine Henry (December 16, 2020). "Raufeon Stots: Title Chasing". Fight-Library.com.
- "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.
- Kuhl, Dan. "Bellator 236's Raufeon Stots: He's Coming for the BBQ". Combat Press. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- "Top bantamweight free agent Raufeon Stots signs multi-fight deal with Bellator". MMA Junkie. 2019-10-09. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- Sherdog.com. "After Getting the 'Runaround' from UFC, Raufeon Stots Feels Wanted in Bellator MMA". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- Blaine Henry (December 16, 2020). "Raufeon Stots: Title Chasing". Fight-Library.com.
- "Raufeon Stots vs. Cheyden Leialoha added to Bellator 236 main card". MMA Junkie. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
- Doherty, Dan (2019-12-21). "Bellator 236 Results: Raufeon Stots Takes Decision in Promotional Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- "Cass Bell faces toughest test yet at Bellator 242". Times-Standard. 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- silfen, jack CYCLONE (2020-07-25). "Bellator 242: Raufeon Stots hands Cass Bell his first loss". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2020-07-25.