Raufeon Stots beats Danny Sabatello in thriller, rubs it in during post-fight interview

Raufeon Stots and Danny Sabatello faced off for the second time, Friday at Bellator 301. The winner remained the same as in the initial bout, but the rematch delivered a markedly different spectacle.

Competing in the three-round bantamweight contest on the main card at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Stots (19-2 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) emerged triumphant, defeating Sabatello (14-3 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Unlike their first meeting 11 months earlier, Stots vs. Sabatello 2 showcased thrilling scrambles, high offensive output, and momentum swings. With Sabatello unleashing his hands, feet, and even opening the bout with a jumping knee, the fight presented a very different dynamic.

Sabatello’s takedowns and sweeps were considerable weapons, but Stots frequently reversed position. Both fighters found themselves in advantageous ground positions. In the third round, Stots dropped Sabatello with a two-punch combination.

To the chagrin of Sabatello and his hometown crowd, Stots emerged victorious once again. In his in-cage interview with color commentator “Big” John McCarthy, Stots taunted Sabatello, challenging him to come back into the cage to shake hands. The provocative move visibly surprised Sabatello, who was eventually escorted backstage by event and commission staff.

The longstanding rivalry dates back even before their initial bout at Bellator 289 in December 2022. The five-round bout was part of the Bellator bantamweight grand prix and resulted in a lackluster, control-heavy affair, ultimately ending with a Stots win by split decision.

The latest Bellator 301 results include:

• Raufeon Stots def. Danny Sabatello via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

• A.J. McKee def. Sidney Outlaw via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 301.

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie