Dear UFC: You should take a long, close look at Raufeon Stots.

As we see with the Contender Series, LFA, all the events right here on FloCombat, and more, regional MMA is more popular than ever.

Add in the UFC’s expanding roster, and it may not seem like the worst time to be a UFC prospect. In reality, this isn’t the case. 

Every year, a more populous influx of talent bursts onto the MMA scene—each wave more talented than the last. MMA is a sport of opportunity, and if you aren’t able to capitalize when the light shines on you, chances are someone lurks right behind you, waiting to snatch your opportunity.

That’s what’s so impressive about the 9-1 bantamweight Stots. 

He’s been one of the best 135-pound prospects in North America since 2016, and despite a loss on Dana White: Lookin’ For a Fight, he still remains towards the top of the “soon-to-be-signed” list.

Raufeon Stots | BW | 29 y/o | 9-1 | Milwaukee, WI via Houston, TX

The 29-year-old Houston native has taken tough fights from the very beginning. Unlike many of his fellow up-and-comers, there isn’t a single “gimme” fight on Stots’ resume. That’s rare. 

After kicking off his professional career at 3-0, Stots took his talents to top Midwest regional promotion Victory FC. Stots went unbeaten in his five appearances for the promotion, including wins over UFC veterans Rob Emerson and Jeff Curran.

At Victory FC 56 in April of 2017, Stots captured the Victory FC Bantamweight Championship. Coming off of his biggest win to date, Stots grabbed the attention of the UFC brass.

The powers that be shipped the 5’9” 135-pounder off to Atlantic City’s finest promotion, Ring of Combat, to take on their titleholder, Merab Dvalishvili.

Dana White, Matt Serra, and Din Thomas sat cageside, traveling across the country for the aforementioned show. They were ready to sign Stots if he snagged the victory.

Fifteen seconds and one spinning backfist later, Stots’ dreams were crushed. The Georgian foe flattened Stots along with his dreams of receiving a UFC contract that night.

Instead of moping around and letting the loss get to him, Stots returned to action later that year. In typical fashion, Stots didn’t shy away from facing a challenge. He threw himself right back into the belly of the beast to take on top Hawaiian fighter Arnold Berdon.

Just four and a half minutes into the opening round, Stots submitted Berdon via rear-naked choke. The victory not only got “Supa” back in the win column—it reasserted that he is UFC caliber, too.

Training at one of the best gyms in the United States—the renowned Roufusport Gym in Milwaukee, Wisconsin—Stots will continue to get better each and every fight, which is a scary thought for future opponents. 

He’s displayed improved striking fight in and fight out, with his strong wrestling base still intact. Stots is exciting, strong-willed, and most importantly, seasoned. Don’t expect Stots to get rattled if a major fight comes his way. He’s been in these situations before and he knows how to perform in them. 

The University of Nebraska at Kearney wrestling product would love to get on the upcoming UFC Lincoln card, but that window is closing. The card is filling by the day, and as it stands, there are only a couple of slots left.

If the UFC wants to look toward the future and thrill the Nebraskan fans, they know what to do: Sign the adopted son of Nebraska.

Sign Raufeon Stots.