Raufeon Stots – Page 7 – Syndication Server

Magomed Magomedov predicts rough night for Raufeon Stots at Bellator 264

Magomed Magomedov plans on making Bellator 264 a rude awakening for Raufeon Stots.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Magomed Magomedov[/autotag] respects [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag]’ eagerness to fight him but plans on making Bellator 264 a rude awakening for him.

“I’m very excited to fight him, as well, but usually whoever asks to fight me, it doesn’t end up well for them,” Magomedov told MMA Junkie.

He continued, “I’m looking at three hard rounds. That’s what I’ve been getting ready for.”

Bellator 264 takes place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims streamed on MMA Junkie.

Check out the full interview with Magomedov in the video above.

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Bellator 264 predictions: Is anyone picking John Salter over Gegard Mousasi?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the Bellator 264 main card, which features middleweight champ Gegard Mousasi vs. John Salter.

	Mousasi vs. Salter	Homasi vs. Koreshkov	Magomedov vs. Stots	Cummings vs. Franklin	Bestaev vs. Gwerder
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2021: 120-72	Mousasi (82%)	Koreshkov (85%)	Magomedov (76%)	Cummings (51%)	Bestaev (64%)
John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2021: 119-73	Mousasi	Koreshkov	Stots	Franklin	Bestaev
Simon Samano @SJSamano 2021: 118-74	Mousasi	Koreshkov	Stots	Franklin	Bestaev
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2021: 118-74 2018 Champion	Mousasi	Koreshkov	Magomedov	Franklin	Gwerder
Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2021: 115-77 2020 Champion	Mousasi	Koreshkov	Magomedov	Franklin	Gwerder
Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2021: 114-78 2014 Champion	Mousasi	Koreshkov	Magomedov	Franklin	Bestaev
Nolan King @mma_kings 2021: 114-78	Mousasi	Koreshkov	Magomedov	Cummings	Gwerder
Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2021: 113-79	Mousasi	Koreshkov	Magomedov	Cummings	Bestaev
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2021: 112-80	Mousasi	Homasi	Magomedov	Cummings	Gwerder
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 2021: 112-80	Mousasi	Koreshkov	Magomedov	Cummings	Gwerder
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2021: 112-80	Mousasi	Koreshkov	Stots	Cummings	Gwerder
Brian Garcia @thegoze 2021: 110-82 2017 Champion	Mousasi	Koreshkov	Magomedov	Cummings	Gwerder
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2021: 108-84	Mousasi	Koreshkov	Magomedov	Cummings	Gwerder
Matthew Wells @MrMWells 2021: 43-33	Mousasi	Koreshkov	Magomedov	Cummings	Gwerder

Bellator is back in Connecticut this week, and the middleweight title is on the line.

Bellator 264 takes place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, middleweight champion [autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag] (47-7-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) puts his title up against challenger [autotag]John Salter[/autotag] (18-4 MMA, 8-1 BMMA). Mousasi is fighting for the first time since he recaptured the 185-pound title in October 2020 against Douglas Lima, and all 13 of our editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers are picking him to defend the belt.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Sabah Homasi[/autotag] (15-9 MMA, 4-3 BMMA) takes on former welterweight champion [autotag]Andrey Koreshkov[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 13-4 BMMA). Our staff members are picking the ex-champ by a wide margin at 12-1.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Magomed Magomedov[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) is a runaway pick in his bantamweight fight against [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 4-0 BMMA). Magomedov has a 10-3 lead in the picks.

Our most contentious fight is at heavyweight between [autotag]Everett Cummings[/autotag] (15-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Davion Franklin[/autotag] (3-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA). The top five pickers in our standings all like Franklin. But the lower eight all are going with Cummings.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Khadzhi Bestaev[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Ty Gwerder[/autotag] (5-2 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) in a middleweight bout. Hawaii’s Gwerder has a sizable 9-4 edge in the picks from our staff members.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Mousasi (82 percent), Koreshkov (85 percent), Magomedov (76 percent), Cummings (51 percent) and Bestaev(64 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

Bellator 264 faceoff video highlights: Magomedov, Stots in each other’s face, touch foreheads

One final time before Bellator 264, Gegard Mousasi, John Salter and the rest of the card went face to face at the ceremonial weigh-ins.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Bellator makes its return Friday, and the promotion’s middleweight title will be on the line.

Bellator 264 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena with the main card airing on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie. Atop the card, 185-pound titleholder [autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag] (47-7-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) defends his championship against surging contender [autotag]John Salter[/autotag] (18-4 MMA, 8-1 BMMA).

Also, former welterweight champion [autotag]Andrey Koreshkov[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 13-4 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Sabah Homasi[/autotag] (15-9 MMA, 4-3 BMMA), and bantamweight contenders Magomed Magomedov (18-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) meet in a pivotal clash.

Following Thursday’s Bellator 264 official weigh-ins, the fighters came face to face for some traditional pre-fight staredowns.

Check out the faceoffs below, including Mousasi vs. Salter, Koreshkov vs. Homasi, and Magomedov vs. Stots.

Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots now set for Bellator 264 in August

A potential title contender could emerge between Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots, which now takes place at Bellator 264.

An exciting matchup in Bellator’s bantamweight division with potential title implications has been rebooked.

Bantamweights [autotag]Magomed Magomedov[/autotag] and [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] are now set to meet Aug. 13, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

The bout was originally scheduled for Bellator 263, but was removed without a reason given for the delay. Bellator officials informed MMA Junkie of the booking change.

Magomedov (18-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) is undefeated through two bouts under the Bellator banner. He defeated Matheus Mattos in December by unanimous decision and followed that up with a second-round submission of C.J. Hamilton in April at Bellator 255.

Stots (16-1 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) is also undefeated as a Bellator fighter, with four wins under the promotion. He most recently defeated Josh Hill by unanimous decision at Bellator 258 in May.

Sergio Pettis is the current titleholder in the division and the winner of this bout could find a way into a challenging role considering they are currently the only Bellator-ranked bantamweights scheduled to fight.

The current Bellator 264 lineup is as follows:

Gegard Mousasi vs. John Salter – for middleweight title
Everett Cummings vs. Davion Franklin
Sabah Homasi vs. Andrey Koreshkov
Marcelo Golm vs. Steve Mowry
Roberta Samad vs. Pam Sorenson
Justin Montalvo vs. Kendly St. Louis
Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots

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Bellator 263 adds three fights including Brent Primus vs. Islam Mamedov, loses ranked bantamweight bout

Three fights have been added to the undercard of the Patricio Freire vs. A.J. McKee event July 31 in Los Angeles.

With less than two weeks before what some are calling the biggest fight in Bellator history, the promotion continues to add the finishing touches to its next event.

Bellator 263 takes place July 31 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

On Monday, promotion officials announced the addition of a main card fight between former Bellator lightweight champion [autotag]Brent Primus[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 8-1 BMMA) and Russian standout [autotag]Islam Mamedov[/autotag] (19-1-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA). The fight was first reported by TASS.

Additionally, a women’s flyweight bout between [autotag]Ilara Joanne[/autotag] (9-5 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) and Vanessa Porto (22-9 MMA, 0-1 BMMA), as well as a 150-pound contract-weight fight between [autotag]Daniel Carey[/autotag] (7-4 MMA, 3-3 BMMA) and [autotag]Gadzhi Rabadanov[/autotag] (15-4-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) has been added to the prelims.

A bantamweight bout between contenders [autotag]Magomed Magmedov[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) has been removed from the card, MMA Junkie confirmed with a Bellator official. No reason for the cancellation was given.

Primus, 36, has not competed since February 2020. He rides a two-fight winning streak into the bout with back-to-back first-round submissions over Tim Wilde and Chris Bungard. In 11 pro fights, Primus’ lone loss came via unanimous decision when he lost the title to Michael Chandler in December 2018.

Mamedov, 31, makes his promotional debut riding a 19-fight unbeaten streak. Regarded by some as one of the best lightweights in the world, Mamedov nine times for WSOF/PFL where he compiled an 8-0-1 record including wins over Natan Schulte and Thiago Tavares among others.

With the additions, the Bellator 263 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (Showtime, 9 p.m. ET)

Champion Patricio Freire vs. A.J. McKee – for the featherweight title
Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Mads Burnell
Manny Muro vs. Usman Nurmagomedov
Islam Mamedov vs. Brent Primus

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 7 p.m. ET)

Chris Gonzalez vs. Goiti Yamauchi
Ilara Joanne vs. Vanessa Porto
Daniel Carey vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov
Kiefer Crosbie vs. Georgi Karakanyan
Brian Moore vs. Jared Scoggins
Johnny Cisneros vs. Joshua Jones

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Patricio Freire vs. A.J. McKee set for grand prix final at Bellator 263 in Los Angeles

One of the biggest fights in Bellator history is finally set.

The final leg of the Bellator featherweight grand prix is set.

What started out as a tournament with 16 competitors has been whittled down to two. Having dominated their respective sides of the bracket, featherweight champion [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] (32-4 MMA, 20-4 BMMA) and undefeated rising star [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] (17-0 MMA, 17-0 BMMA) will square off in the Bellator 263 main event.

The event takes place July 31 at The Forum in Los Angeles with the main card airing on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

The promotion officially announced the matchup and event details at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday, which featured both main event participants and their coaches. MMA Fighting was the first to report the date of the matchup.

Bellator also confirmed [autotag]Magomed Magomedov[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) vs. [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Mads Burnell[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) vs. [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] (20-5 MMA, 12-4 BMMA), which were previously reported by MMA Junkie.

Additionally, the promotion announced a lightweight matchup between Khabib Nurmagomedov cousin [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Manny Muro[/autotag] (12-6 MMA, 2-0 BMMA).

The tournament began in September 2019 with 16 fighters. Freire defeated Juan Archuleta by decision, Pedro Carvalho by knockout, and Emmanuel Sanchez by submission to advance. McKee, meanwhile, finished Georgi Karakhanyan by knockout, Derek Campos by submission, and Darrion Caldwell by submission.

Now the two powerhouses will collide, with the 145-pound belt, a tournament title, and a $1 million prize on the line in what some are viewing as the biggest fight in promotion history.

The Bellator 263 lineup includes:

Champion Patricio Freire vs. A.J. McKee – grand prix final for the featherweight title
Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots
Mads Burnell vs. Emmanuel Sanchez
Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Manny Muro
Kiefer Crosbie vs. Georgi Karakhanyan

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Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots in the works for Bellator 263

At the top of the bantamweight rankings, the winner could earn a title shot.

A 135-pound fight with potential title implications is in the works for Bellator 263 this summer.

Bantamweight contenders [autotag]Magomed Magomedov[/autotag] and [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] are expected to square off July 31 at a location and venue that has not yet been announced. Los Angeles is the current frontrunner to hold the event.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Magomedov (18-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) has won both of his promotional appearances in dominant fashion. After he defeated fellow ACA alumnus Matheus Mattos in December, Magomedov submitted C.J. Hamilton in the second round of their April fight.

Stots (16-1 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) has quickly ascended up the divisional ladder with four straight wins in his 17 months with the promotion. After wins over Cheyden Leialoha, Cass Bell, and Keith Lee, Stots defeated Josh Hill via unanimous decision at Bellator 258 in May.

The Bellator bantamweight division is currently headed by titleholder Sergio Pettis and also includes other top contenders Juan Archuleta, Patchy Mix, and Leandro Higo among others. Magomedov and Stots are currently the only Bellator-ranked bantamweights with a scheduled fight.

With the addition, the Bellator 263 lineup includes:

Kiefer Crosbie vs. Georgi Karakhanyan
Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots

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Bellator 258 post-event facts: Michael Page is the new Bellator knockout king

Check out all the facts and figures from Bellator 258, including Michael Page’s takeover of the company KO record.

Bellator saw its first title change of the year happen on Friday in the Bellator 258 headliner.

[autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] (21-5 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) claimed the bantamweight title from [autotag]Juan Archuleta [/autotag](25-3 MMA, 7-2 BMMA) in their main event clash, taking a unanimous decision at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

For more on the numbers, check below for 20 post-event facts to come out of Bellator 258.

Raufeon Stots vs. Josh Hill in the works for Bellator 258

The bantamweight theme continues for Bellator 258.

The bantamweight theme continues with Bellator 258‘s matchmaking.

Before Bellator bantamweight champion Juan Archuleta defends his title against Sergio Pettis, [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] and [autotag]Josh Hill[/autotag] will look to make a statement. The promotion is targeting a fight between Stots (15-1 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) and Hill (20-3 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) for the May 7 event.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the targeted booking but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Stots and Hill were lined up to fight at Bellator 253 last November. However, Hill was forced to withdraw from the fight. Stots instead fought Keith Lee and won by unanimous decision.

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Both Stots and Hill are undefeated in Bellator. In addition to his win over Lee, Stots also has promotional victories against Cass Bell and Cheyden Leialoha. Meanwhile, Hill has defeated Vinicius Zani and Erik Perez.

Bellator 258 takes place May 7 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The card airs on Showtime.

With the addition, the Bellator 258 lineup includes:

Champion Juan Archuleta vs. Sergio Pettis – for Bellator bantamweight title
James Gallagher vs. Patchy Mix
Josh Hill vs. Raufeon Stots

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Top 10 Bellator dark horses to watch in 2021

MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom takes a look at his top 10 Bellator dark horses to watch in 2021.

Despite being held to just 18 events in 2020 due to the global pandemic, Bellator was able to keep the proverbial ball rolling in regards to fostering new names and cultivating homegrown talent.

Sure, it’s been easy to get excited about big-name signings like Yoel Romero or Anthony Johnson, but I think the promotion carries a quiet value with the offerings that are often found on their undercards. So, with that in mind, I decided to steer away from mainstream names or past grand prix competitors in order to focus on the dark horses whom I see either making their marks or (in some cases) taking a stab at a title in 2021.

Without further ado, here are the top 10 dark horses that I think you need to be familiar with this year.