Bantamweight standout Raufeon Stots returns at Bellator 253 on Thursday, for his second fight since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Happy to get in a second fight before the end of the year, Stots (14-1) has been paired up with Keith Lee — a fighter Stots believes bears some similarities to himself. “He’s a lot like me. He’s athletic, he’s pretty much good everywhere,” Stots observed during the event’s media day. “I just feel like I have the tools to take advantage in some areas that he isn’t as good at. And I feel I have the tools to be a little bit better than him in every area.”
A win over Lee, brother of UFC fighter Kevin Lee, “puts me right into title contention,” Stots believes. “I’m right in the picture with those names that are in title contention. I could fight for the title in two, one [fights]. I’ve been offered a title fight before. I’m right there.”
Stots is also well aware that the Lee name means something. “Because of him and because of his brother, his name is a trophy in itself,” noted Stots. “After this fight, I think I’ll have more of the same. I’ll be able to fight more of those big name guys, those guys a lot of people know about.”
Bellator 253 takes place Thursday, November 20 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Unvasville, CT. The main card airs live on CBS Sports Network.
