One of Bellator’s top bantamweights once again proved Bellator smart to sign him, as Raufeon Stots (16-1) made it look easy against Josh Hill (20-4) at Bellator 258 last Friday. Stots has now won eight straight, including all four of his Bellator appearances. His lone loss came to UFC’s Merab Dvallishvilli back in 2017. Now ranked in a top spot for Bellator’s arguably most exciting division, Stots thrilled with the names that could be next for him this summer.
“I would like to fight either July or August,” Stots told Cageside Press just days out from his most recent win. “I want to fight in the summer so I can then again fight later this year. [Magomed] Magomedov is looking real good right now, because he seems the most interested. I’ve talked to James Gallagher and Patchy Mix away from camera, they didn’t seem too interested,” Stots continued. “I don’t feel a lot of people would be that interested in getting beat up. Magomedov seems to be gung ho, I’m not fazed, he’s not fazed. Big name, main event slot, he is looking like a front runner for me.”
Many may question why Stots wouldn’t want to fight for the title next, as he is super deserving after his latest performance. However, new champion Sergio Pettis is a teammate of Stots, and longtime friend. Stots has stated he’d love to play “body guard” while Pettis is defending the belt, and the two can hold the top spots in the division down for Roufusport. That being said, Stots discussed the possibility of having to face Sergio Pettis down the line, or even soon.
“We talked a little bit about it fight night,” Stots stated. “Sergio’s grown up in Roufusport, I’ve spent my whole professional career [there], neither of us want to leave. If somebody had to leave, Sergio, his family has been here, he should get the right to Roufusport. I was implanted here while an amateur. We are kinda waiting, we will cross that bridge when we get there.”
Catch the full interview with Bellator bantamweight Raufeon Stots above.
