After defeating Jeff Curran, Victory FC's Raufeon Stots 'looking to fight the best in the world'

Undefeated through his first seven professional contests, Victory FC bantamweight Raufeon Stots (7-0) has a simple goal in mind: He wants to fight the best competition in the world.

“That’s what I’m looking to do,” Stots recently told MMAjunkie Radio. “I’m looking to fight the best in the world, and I’ve got to go through the best in the world to do that. So that’s what I’m looking to do. I’m looking to make tough veterans like that look like it’s nothing – look like the fight’s easy.

“That’s the goal: Go in there, come out unscathed and put a beating on somebody. That’s the ultimate goal, right?”

Stots grabbed a signature win in his most recent outing, downing longtime veteran Jeff Curran via decision at Victory FC 53 on Nov. 23. Curran called it a career after the contest.

Now, the Roufusport product has his eyes on Friday’s Victory FC 54 event, where current champ Robert Emerson (17-11) puts his title on the line against Darrick Minner (15-5) in a bout that streams live on UFC Fight Pass from Baxter Arena in Omaha, Neb.

The 27-year-old Stots plans on getting in at least four fights in 2017, and he believes a title shot should come fairly early in that string of contests.

“I’m looking to do at least four,” Stots said. “I’m kind of headstrong on wanting to get this title from Rob Emerson. I think I’m ready to get that title and show the world I’m a better athlete and a better mixed martial artist. I’m ready to do it.

“The opportunity is now. I want the best fights. I’m always trying to look at people that I feel like have a step above me or the fans feel like have more experience.”

If things go according to plan, big things could lie on the horizon for Stots. Fighting professionally for just 18 months, Stots has already racked up an impressive mark to open his career. A full-time fighter, he wants to stay as busy as possible and start moving up the ranks.

Give him the best names, Stots said, and he’ll prove he’s deserving of the opportunity.

“I want to be a well-rounded mixed martial artist,” Stots said. “I want to blow these guys out of the water. I want to be in there as much as I can and as often as I can.

“I always stay in shape. I’m always ready for the next task. Even as many times as I fought last year, I would have liked to have fought more. I’m always ready to go.”

For more on Victory FC 53, check out the MMA Events section of the site. And for more on Victory FC 54, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.

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