Report: Roger Huerta and UFC 'far apart' on contract extension
by MMAmania.com on Aug 6, 2008 2:58 PM EDT
134 comments
Roger Huerta is getting a ton of attention lately. And it appears to be for all the wrong reasons.
"El Matador" has perhaps his biggest test to date this weekend when he takes on Kenny Florian at UFC 87: "Seek and Destroy" at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., on August 9. With a win he will likely distinguish himself as the clear-cut number one contender in the division.
But he may never get to challenge for the title even if he does win if he can't ink a contract extension, which is a very real possibility if things don't change soon, according to Dave Meltzer at WrestlingObserver.com.
Here's his analysis:
"Huerta, who has one fight left on his contact after the Florian fight, is far apart with UFC on terms for a renewal. Huerta, who has gotten a new agent, was asking for six-figures guaranteed per fight as well as points on the PPV, in negotiations that haven’t gone well for some time. That’s a better deal then [BJ] Penn, so he wasn’t going to get it. The UFC position is that they groomed Huerta and pushed him hard and were careful of his opponents, with the exception of Clay Guida...."
UFC President Dana White will not allow Huerta to challenge for a belt until he re-signs. It's policy that the promotion follows to ensure champions defend their titles and don't bolt for another organization or tie-up the division with contract negotiations.
In short, he can't challenge for the title with just one fight remaining on his contract.
This of course come on the heels of Huerta dropping a bombshell in Fight! magazine recently, revealing that he's not pleased with his current arrangement with the UFC. In addition, he was apparently ticked that the promotion twisted his pre-fight interview to insinuate that his fight with Florian would be a "cake walk" (Huerta was actually comparing this fight to his rough and tumble upbringing).
Indeed, there appears to be some trouble in paradise between the "golden boy" and the promotion that has attempted to build him as a cross-over cultural star.
And things could go from bad to worse if he winds up with his hand raised in victory Saturday night. Florian, however, might be able to do something about that.
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Huerta can’t beat BJ, and once Florian “finishes” him (see what I did) he’ll be back to the bottom. His best win is over a way over rated Clay Guida. I don’t understand his hype as much as I don’t get Huerta’s. This is my opinion guys, disagree if you want, I respect that, quit bashing opinions though, everyones opinion is different, thats why we’re here!
by kevin doesn't know shit on Aug 6, 2008 3:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Seriously, this guy is nuts. Who has he beat to be asking for that kind of money. He was getting handled by the first real competition(Guida). Headlining a UFN has really turned into a queen. I am going to enjoy seeing him eat “hellbows” from Kenflo. Then maybe he’ll realize you need to do something in this sport before opening your mouth.
by NameNotRequired on Aug 6, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Personally, I think he will be handed his next loss by Florian this weekend, and that may shut him up. I don’t know where Huerta thinks he is going to be able to fight and make that kind of money. None of the other organizations are even promoting the lightweight division much, and certainly aren’t gonna shell out 6 figures for a lightweight fighter who never held a belt.
by naturalshadow on Aug 6, 2008 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huerta is just digging his hole deeper and deeper. After Florian beats him down this weekend what will he say. What a douche… He wants more money than the current champion, but won’t even be able to put enough wins together to get a title shot.
I like Huerta, but the stuff coming out of his mouth is just foolish. Sounds like his inflated ego + new management = a dilusional Huerta.
by BNF on Aug 6, 2008 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huerta + new agent = ego jerk….Randy + New Wife = ego jerk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Robert on Aug 6, 2008 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who is his agent? DRew Rosenhause? I think the UFC should only give pay per view revenue’s to the fighters that compete in the main events. Huerta has never been the main event of a UFC pay per view, so to ask for 6 figures and portions of the pay per view money is just INSANE!!!
by john on Aug 6, 2008 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly beating Guida and Garcia don;t get you the big pay days.
No patients… He should be happy, his face is on more promos than St-Pierre.
St-Pierre went through the bigest gauntlet of credible fighters, like no other fighter has been able to do before him, yet where is all the smack that St Pierre could be talking.
Not until recently has his coin been looking respectable, before his advertised payday came in pretty low for a heavyweight Champ, let alone a contender. Yet he has never made a peep, he’s never chosen an aponent, and still the media doesn’t give this guy the Hype, Exposer and familiariy it gives other fighters.
I would like someone to find me a fighter whos gone through a tougher road of fighters?
Huerta I used to be a big Fan but, your letting the hype get in front of the path to your original goal.
by Ro-J on Aug 6, 2008 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sorry bout the spelling, I’m French me there.
by Ro-J on Aug 6, 2008 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree he hasn’t had the toughest road to where he is at but I think he is getting put through the PR ringer (for the UFC’s gain) while his whole life is on hold and the compensation he’s getting now is not worth it. I think that’s his main gripe. But maybe he just needs to pay his dues until the big paydays come. Hell, Kimbo’s gettin his and that’s got to be hard to take as a fighter. But he is becoming a face of the UFC lately with his push and he just wants to be paid like one. Although he should have learned that you don’t make squabbles like this public, especially when Dana is involved.
by CAP on Aug 6, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with CAP… you can’t forget the marketing side of business. Look at Brock Lesnar – getting huge money for than his MMA skills. If the UFC ars using Huerta as a poster boy then he should be compensated for it.
by DJ on Aug 6, 2008 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly but how do you think you make it to the big dollars? you do your PR, guy’s are working twice as much as he is to get a tenth of the rewards, lets face it not every mma’er has SPIKE TV exposer, so who should I give credit to for hooking huerta with all this?
by Ro-J on Aug 7, 2008 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I couldn’t agree more, Huerta needs to shut his mouth & worry about Kenflo this weekend. Its really unbelievable that this guy is getting so cocky so fast. The only guy he’s fought is Guida and i feel that he got lucky to get that submission in the end of the fight. Clay got careless because he knew he was winning the fight & ended up on the loosing end. Tito as much as i disagree with some of his actions, had the right to speak out to the UFC because he was a former UFC Champion and trend setter in the sport of MMA. Who is Roger Huerta to be demanding six figures per fight and a piece of the PPV.
by Pierre on Aug 6, 2008 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
by the way, cognito, I’m still anxiously waiting for your reply, I need to nap, I’ll check back in a couple hours. peace out guys!!!!
by kevin doesn't know shit on Aug 6, 2008 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve been trying to reply and been moderated pretty hardcore. The only thing I haven’t liked about the news updates or the Morning conversations is the fact that John doesn’t site his sources sometimes or that your replies always begin Sunday morning Conversations with Kevin like you are on the Good morning America or something. But I’ll start from Tabula Rasa and go from there. I apologize that I was a little more forward with my statements than I should have been
Anyway I do post my thoughts and this is a thought of mine on this topic. Maybe the UFC could make a post title fight agreement with Huerta. If he were to beat Florian and face Penn that is. How it would work is they would create a sort of contract stating an agreement on a future contract set on certain preconditions. And what that means is they would agree to a higher figure if Huerta beats Penn and a lower figure or just give Huerta the right to leave when he loses to Penn. I see this as a win win for the UFC and Huerta because he still gets his title shot, the UFC does not have to over pay him, and the UFC also gets to tarnish his reputation for other orgs with a loss over Penn. This probably won’t happen and I’d say look for Huerta to be facing Sherk next. (I know Sherk is fighting Tyson next but I’m pretty sure he’ll win that one)
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Aug 6, 2008 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so you like my write up, but I should change the intro. I’ll take it under advisement!
by kevin doesn't know shit on Aug 6, 2008 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hes defenitley digging his own grave. maybee he’s been talking to jacob to much.
by b.w. on Aug 6, 2008 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This sounds like his new agent is filling his head with a load of crap. You ill not get paid more than BJ Penn until you beat him. Huerta needs to find an agent that has his long term interest at heart, not just the dollar signs.
by Jeff on Aug 6, 2008 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe the UFC could make a post title fight agreement with Huerta. If he were to beat Florian and face Penn that is. How it would work is they would create a sort of contract stating an agreement on a future contract set on certain preconditions. And what that means is they would agree to a higher figure if Huerta beats Penn and a lower figure or just give Huerta the right to leave when he loses to Penn. I see this as a win win for the UFC and Huerta because he still gets his title shot, the UFC does not have to over pay him, and the UFC also gets to tarnish his reputation for other orgs with a loss over Penn. This probably won’t happen and I’d say look for Huerta to be facing Sherk next. (I know Sherk is fighting Tyson next but I’m pretty sure he’ll win that one)
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Aug 6, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think all the people who are pissed at Huerta have a very good point – He’s asking for far too much.
That said, I’m way more pissed that Dana’s admitting to building up fighters by handing them guys the should beat. This is not the same as actually fixing a fight, but it’s damn close!
I saw him talking about how they built up the UFC with a lot of smoke & mirrors – guess who the fools are!? Us….the guys forking over $45 or $55 (HD) a PPV.
I agree that Huerta is asking for too much, but I also think the fighters don’t have a leg to stand on. It’s one against the UFC…..I still think they need to unionize.
That would keep dumb ass demands like Huerta’s in check, but would also give the fighters a way to negotiate with the powers that be. I know people disagree with me on that, but that’s my opinion.
The UFC has all the power, while the fighters have none!
by TonyDrip on Aug 6, 2008 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those were the words of Dave Meltzer not Dana but that is the general consensus. I am sure that’s how Dana feels, However it isn’t a quote from him
by Psyqo78®™ on Aug 6, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The solution here is easy. Give him a 4 fight deal with salary conditioned to fight results. first fight something like 50+50 which it will stay at if he loses. If he beats Kenflo then 70+70 for his fight with BJ. If he gets the title he gets 100+75 plus small points for the last two fights. He gets it but he has to earn it first.
by EazyEismydad on Aug 6, 2008 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huerta gets alot of hype because
a) he represents the Latino demographic the UFC is trying to tap into
b) he is good looking (gets the women to watch)
c) he has an aggressive style that is exciting to the casual MMA fan (the UFC has the hardcore fans)
Huerta sees all of this and is trying to get paid. I am not going to rip on him for that.
People always ask for alot more than what they know they will get anyway. Huerta is not going to lowball himself.
He is definitely not subtle but considering that he is a young fighter and not a slick oiled lawyer, I will cut him some slack.
I still think Flo wins by decision.
by OJR on Aug 6, 2008 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good points OJR. This is like any other professional business, it’s all just negotiating.
by MikeD on Aug 6, 2008 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just seems “convenient” Huerta has “negotiation” problems, so when he loses, that’s his excuse that his mind was elsewhere….. I was going to bet on him to pull the upset, now I’m just gonna keep my money.
by DirtbagHtr on Aug 6, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think tapping that Arianny ass is throwing him off.
by DirtbagHtr on Aug 6, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s funny because that is what I was thinking. If I were Dana, I would use that as a perk to the job for Huerta. That alone should be worth some jack!!!
I would like to see him stay but not a BJ money, not yet at least!
by mmamac on Aug 7, 2008 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kevin, I think most fans see Huerta the same way as u do. It’s too early in his career to be a disgruntled UFC employee. Huerta is banking on the fact he’s a big draw and really not considering all the other factors involved that got him there.
Huerta’s negotiations will bite him in the ass if/when he loses to Florian. If he beats Florian, White will sit tight on principle alone for openly speaking out about his contract. Asking for more money than BJ Penn is silly and a waste of time.
by THORAZINE on Aug 6, 2008 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here are a few things Dana White said at a press conference in toronto today. Also said he was glad Tim lost to Fedor, “tim has been boring me for a long time.”
Dana says that according to the UFC’s best guess, Affliction lost 4 to 5 million dollars on their show, and said “I’m not going to make it easy for them” . He made a point that Affliction doesn’t know that there are a tonne of things that they don’t know yet.
Championship fights will be between fighters that people want to see fighting each other. Rankings aren’t that important if a fight isn’t going to sell PPVs.
The WEC will eventually become just the lower weight divisions, and the higher division fighters will make their way up to the UFC.
Dana said they wanted to keep Arlovski, but that Arlovski wants to box as well, and that was the major hurdle in resigning him. UFC fighters are exclusive, and apparently Arlovski is boxing on HBO later this year.
by kevin doesn't know shit on Aug 6, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Experienced, successful MMA CEO’s are a rare commodity, the knowledge White has to make a successful MMA company is priceless. Affliction has to wisely figure it out, eating millions along the way. Luv him or Hate him, sometimes wrong but almost always right. White is always progressing in his big decisions to do the right things for Zuffa to keep them on top. Eventually scaling down the WEC to the lighter weights seems to be the right call while triming off the fat.
by THORAZINE on Aug 6, 2008 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
guys, fighters arent as stupid as you think they are. They(at least the majority) are not going to ask for a ridiculous amount of money if they know the company doesnt have it. You all need to wake up and realize that the UFC is not a start up company anymore. By PPV numbers alone, we know the UFC can afford more…The fighers know that, the fans know that, and the journalists know that. These fighters know it better than we do as fans, the fans just tend to speculate and we pretend we know more than the truth sometimes just because we follow the sport.
We are not behind closed doors like the fighters are so we really dont know squat. One thing we do know is that alot of these fighters wouldnt be leaving so carelessly like they have been if they knew they couldnt get the money they are asking somewhere else, or better yet, be treated better. Roger has all the right to ask for a raise, He is being used for his services in making the company more money with expanding. Put yourselves in his shoes, if your company was employing your services for extra work and you werent getting compensated like the next person who was doing the exact same thing, would you be ok with that???? I THINK NOT!
by blah on Aug 6, 2008 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comical. The criteria for getting PPV points is being a sufficient draw—would I watch or not watch a PPV based on the presence or absence of Roger?
Answer: Nope (not even close)
If he wants to chase more dollars, he can go to affliction and get a couple of nice paychecks before they fold. Has no one explained that insolvent companies don’t honor their contracts?
Also, his complaining makes him less attractive to fans and therefore less valuable to sponsors.
by BobC on Aug 6, 2008 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ppv points? he doesn’t sell, I get why tito or brock lesner get points, they sell ppv’s, but huerta couldn’t get me to buy a ppv!
by kevin doesn't know shit on Aug 6, 2008 3:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No doubt! Even talking about a cut of the PPV at this point is crazy.
by Jrandolph on Aug 6, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Honestly this kid is a b!tch, the UFC hands him can after can and he barely beats guida and he thinks he deserves Liddell money?! Go ahead, leave overhyped chump! Once again just my opinion
by TheDude on Aug 6, 2008 3:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, said. That’s not to say he not a “good” fighter, but he’s obviously mistaken about what he’s “worth.”
Maybe Kenny will give him a little dose of reality?
by Soups on Aug 6, 2008 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I couldn’t agree more Dude. There are plenty of better fighters at 155. The UFC should send him packing and never let him come back. Ooops! I forgot. Kenny Florian is going to do that. Good luck Roger.
by Adam on Aug 6, 2008 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
good opinion though, he’ll be the next elite champ…oh wait, he can’t beat Diaz, he’ll be the next wec champ, oh wait faber would kill him. guess he can go to palace fighting or somewhere else, I for one won’t miss him!
by kevin doesn't know shit on Aug 6, 2008 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
just so you know i basically agree with you but if he stayed in the same weight division and fought in the wec huerta would be fighting jamie varner. who he probably could beat. don’t mean to nit pick but that was obvious
by Phil on Aug 6, 2008 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am officially rooting for KenFlo now, and I hate Florian.
by Haze on Aug 6, 2008 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
you’re rooting for the guy you hate? lol :)
by kama kaze on Aug 6, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unfortunatly yes, I think Huerta needs to be humbled.
by Haze on Aug 6, 2008 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Same. I’m the guy who ranted about the Hell-bows being a cheap way to win, but I think my allegiances are shifting.
by BobC on Aug 6, 2008 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well mine ain’t. and I don’t care about all the bitchin’. but as you’ve guys mentiones, fight first before money. Strut your stuff first!!
by TheNegation on Aug 6, 2008 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another example of the racist UFC and Dana ‘White’ keeping a minority fighter down.
by Kenny the Swede on Aug 6, 2008 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
are you being serious? silva, rampage, kongo, nog, etc all not white. Huerta is from the US to. if anything, it’s the opposite, they over hype this kid trying to reel in the mexican fan base, and this is the appreciation they get!
by kevin doesn't know shit on Aug 6, 2008 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
People, People. Can’t you see that this is a troll?
by NewGuyTheGunMan on Aug 6, 2008 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Come on now, the UFC did the opposite, they built him up. Don’t you think it’s a bit premature to be demanding PPV %, when he’s not even HEADLINING yet(if ever)? Though it was low of the UFC to make it sound that he thought Kenny would be a cake walk.
by Gord on Aug 6, 2008 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh Jesus. HEre we go with this stupid race shit again.
by the_mexicutioner on Aug 6, 2008 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can’t blame Kenny the Swede for feeling that way. Everyone hates on the Swedes with their really unappealing blond hair and blue eyes. Nobody anywhere finds that look attractive.
by PW on Aug 6, 2008 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This had better be a joke.
HW Champ – Brazilian (Interim but Randy isn’t coming back)
LHW Champ – American
MW Champ – Brazilian
WW Champ – Canadian
LW Champ – American
How can the UFC be a racist organisation?
by UKmmaBOY on Aug 6, 2008 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gotta love the fact that before he won all those fights he was just an up and coming fighter, and now that he is established he wants big bucks. Doesn’t he owe some credit to Dana and the UFC for getting him where he is? He should still be happy to just compete in the UFC and get paid for it at all. The promotion survived without him and will survive without him, he needs to realize that.
by Ballam on Aug 6, 2008 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He owes so much to the UFC, if they had not put him on Ultimate fight night he would be nowhere he is now. Dana made him.
by Ro-J on Aug 6, 2008 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Roger Huerta is way over in his head. Without that lucky knee, Guida would have won him. He got exposed. In his 6 fights in the UFC, all of the fighters except Guida were fighting for the first time in the UFC. I agree that he is pretty exciting, but he does not make me want to buy PPV. He doesn’t deserve six figures per fight.
by Chris W on Aug 6, 2008 3:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Are Kim Couture and Jenna Jameson Huerta’s new management team? It seems to me that his demands are a bit high.
by Muscle Dolphin on Aug 6, 2008 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
you guys bash kim couture, I don’t get it. any yoko comparisons should have ended when she got her jaw broken in the first seconds of her first fight, and fought on to a decision loss. Anyone out for money or “fame” isn’t going through all that and then going to say she can’t wait to get in thee again! I think your off base here!
by kevin doesn't know shit on Aug 6, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The fact that after she got married to Randy and then got into mma makes the Yoko comparison even more justified. Yoko got into music after her marriage to Lennon.
by Haze on Aug 6, 2008 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, I have some interests that I never had before because of my wife, and she loves football now, she didn’t before. I just think it’s sad that you guys bash someone that you don’t know and that is obviously taking mma serious!
by kevin doesn't know shit on Aug 6, 2008 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I compaired her to Yoko Ono, I didn’t bash her. And IMO, that comparison is fair.
by Haze on Aug 6, 2008 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then again, she wouldn’t be as high profile if she was married to someone else. Her celebrity is built on his name. Without Randy there is no Kim. I’d also be willing to bet that Randy would never be in the situation that he is in with the UFC if Kim wasn’t in the picture.
by the_mexicutioner on Aug 6, 2008 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
KEVIN. imho, kim couture is the single most reason randy is in the predicament that he is in now (besides randy himself). at 1rst i though it was his “scumbag hollywood agent” i dont know this for a fact. it is jst my gut instinct. women have a way of making men do thing they wouldnt normally do. just like drugs and alcohol. lol.
by b.w. on Aug 6, 2008 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Women are far more dangerous than drugs and alcohol.
by Jeff on Aug 6, 2008 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Correcto! That’s because women have minds of their own, LOL!
by TheNegation on Aug 6, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is nothing more dangerous than a woman that thinks!
by the_mexicutioner on Aug 6, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jeff, they’re FAR more addictive, too.
by chefdaddy on Aug 7, 2008 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also think the Yoko comparison is accurate. That being said, she is a tough chick. I gained a lot of respect for her after she continued fighting for 3 rounds with half her face dangling around,
by DDT on Aug 6, 2008 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
New Manager. Sports agents are just as sleazy as lawyers.
by RiverHorror on Aug 6, 2008 3:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This fight with florian literally impacts how much he will be worth come renegotiations If huerta wins this fight he could easily cash in on 6 figures with another promotion but it wont be a long term deal because other than the UFC the other promotions dont even know if they will exist a year from now
So huerta has to look at it from a real perspective yeah I can get a nice payday with some one else but then what. I beleive huerta knows this and is just playing hard ball to set up the best posible deal he can get.
by dia mette on Aug 6, 2008 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’ll be very interesting to see what Dana says this weekend. You know someone is going to ask him.
by DSmith on Aug 6, 2008 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This guy is on a 15 or 16 fight win streak against sub par fighters other than Clay and he thinks he’s up there. he reminds me of Fitch he is on 16 fight winning streak with sub par fighter yeah I give him Alves win and barely winning over Diego and he thinks he’s the man. I hope both of these guys get smacked around by GSP and Florian.
by TKO on Aug 6, 2008 3:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
how does jon fitch think he’s “the man”? from everything i’ve seen of him hes a really humble, nice guy. and hes unbeaten in the ufc against the man who everybody is claiming all of a sudden can beat gsp (alves) and a highly regarded diego sanchez. i think thats a pretty big deal. and where does fitch come into this at all? the article is about huerta
by Phil on Aug 6, 2008 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fitch comes into this cause he has fought second tier fighters and put together a winning streak similar to huerta. I am just drawing a comparison and now they are both going down.
by TKO on Aug 7, 2008 8:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he beats Ken Flo he deserves it, if not trash can him
by mrfancypants on Aug 6, 2008 3:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Even if he beats kenny, no one at lightweight is worth more than BJ! NO ONE!
by NewGuyTheGunMan on Aug 6, 2008 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think everyone forgot who was the first MMA fighter featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. And why would they have chose him? exciting fights, dont forget the brawl with a lil bad a%% named leonard garcia. Boxing would’nt be what it is today with out mexican fighters, so in perspective they are bringing the same thinking to MMA.
by chipdog on Aug 6, 2008 3:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It was a good shot and he had a good story to back it up- nothing more, nothing less.
by DSmith on Aug 6, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Garcia now fights at 145, which is his proper weight class. Huerta couldn’t put him away despite a large size advantage. I’m not saying that he’s not a good fighter, but why should he be paid more than a PROVEN fighter who’s currently a champ, BJ Penn.
Wouldn’t that contract be more lucrative than GSP’s? I think that he deserves to be paid well, but don’t let your ego cloud your judgement.
by Freddy on Aug 6, 2008 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Roger is delusional if he thinks he is worth a six-figure contract plus PPV buys. He has no star power.
by Jason on Aug 6, 2008 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think 40/40 or 50/50 is more than sufficient for now, but no ppv buys. BJ, GSP and Silva don’t have ppv buys and they are in the top 4 p4p in world. Asking for ppv buys is absurd. This new agent will end his career.
by DSmith on Aug 6, 2008 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He definitely has star quality. It’s just the b1tchin’ part that bothers me…
by TheNegation on Aug 6, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he beats Florian then hell give the man whatever he wants.
by Toad on Aug 6, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Roger is paying hard ball I think he resigns with a better deal than what he deserves at this point but not the deal he is after now. His agent is doing what all good agents do get the most for their guy and putting out in public puts more pressure on the UFC. He clearly is asking for more than he deserves but I for one believes that fighters aren’t paid enough in general. I’m sure in the end a compromise will be made no way in hell does he gets points but I’m sure they will give him a healthy raise.
by Tim on Aug 6, 2008 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Randy,AA, And Tito hollard at Huerta.. maybe put some things in his head. Cuz fro mthe last Hurta thread.. he’s tight about the way UFC is treating ther fighters. Ther is a thin cast of middle class fighter’s in teh UFc.. it’s either 1stclass ( Chuck, Forrest, Wandy, Silva, GSP, BJ, ).. or the welfare class ( the who’s that guy ).. and Huerta.. was ( who’s that guy ).. to mingling with the Chucks, GSp’s.. but I don’t think he will get what he wants from the UFC if he keeps bad mouthing them on public forums.
by PhilQNY on Aug 6, 2008 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I find it really funny how people can go from not “dis-liking” someone to straight up hating them in one fight. Or before a fight for that matter. The media turns everything around. Thats just the way of the game. Huerta has always had good fights in my opinion. I personally like both of them (huerta and florian), but I honestly think we will see a different roger in this fight. I really dont know who will win, but I do know that it will be a great fight. There is no question about it. All of you that are talking trash about either of these guys, especially Huerta in this particular matter with money, then dont watch it. If you say he doesnt make you want to watch the fight, then dont. Quit talking trash about them. Its pointless. They are fighters thru and thru. Im not saying that he deserves that much money. I feel that he doesnt actually, but we dont know for sure what the real negotiations brought to the table. Once the fight is over, if you still want to call one of them, or both, b!tches or whatever, then that is the time. I will bet with absolute certainty tho, that some of you that have been talking sh!t, will have respect for both of these fighters after this fight.
by enzo-enormous on Aug 6, 2008 4:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think most of us have respect for these guys as fighters… ex: Matt Hughes I have tremendous respect for him as a ‘willing’ fighter, but HATE the guy as a person and will continue to bash him… I don’t hate Huerta as of now, but he’s really making bad decisions about his future in the UFC and going public about it! I’ll watch him fight, but I’ll also critize him about his PUBLIC comments, otherwise, he shouldn’t make them PUBLIC.
Just because a guy fights great or will have a great fight that doesn’t make him above criticism and most of us only go on what we read on a day to day basis, if the media report is unfounded, we’ll hear about it and re-adjust, that’s what makes us avid fans, we give our opinions day by day.
by THORAZINE on Aug 6, 2008 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously, the writer for Sports Illustrated obviously closed his eyes and chose a fighter at random to be on the cover. Do you really believe any of the SI writers know or care about MMA? Huerta has had a very lucky career so far. He is a scrapper, no doubt about it but he is not even #1 contender to be asking for those types of figures is absurd. I guess he can try to sell his case to Affliction.
If he beats Florian, who would be next if not BJ? Sherk?
by bostonmmajunkie on Aug 6, 2008 4:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Got to love Huerta. The only place he is getting 6 figures is fighting Kimbo in Elite XC.
by UKmmaBOY on Aug 6, 2008 4:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Anybody know what he’s making per fight now, officially?
by WB on Aug 6, 2008 4:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
More than I make thats for sure.
by NewGuyTheGunMan on Aug 6, 2008 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those terms are absolutley ridiculous! I’m Huerta fan, but he has no basis to ask for those kind of terms. Fire your new agent or good luck.
by DSmith on Aug 6, 2008 4:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You have to start high. Im sure he knows and understands that he wont get that much money. But if he started low.. it would go even lower.
by enzo-enormous on Aug 6, 2008 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And you know, now that he is training with Jackson and GSP he is probably wants to continue on that path and can’t afford it. It’s one thing to live and train with your roommates (Dave Menne and his conditioning coach) and another be train with elite/top notch athletes on a regualr basis.
by DSmith on Aug 6, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve been saying this would happen for a long time. now that the UFC has at least semi-legit competition, the many, many fighters who’ve been heavily marketed by the UFC but aren’t really that good think they’re worth something. and the fact is, to some extent, they are worth a lot. many serious fans know roger huerta’s nowhere close to the top of the lightweight division, but to joe average casual fan, he must seem awesome. and since most MMA viewers fit somewhere close to joe average, these marketed fighters have a lot of weight on their side of the lever.
if affliction and elite xc stay afloat and if other competitors with big pocket books come, and they will, the UFC will either have to stop marketing so-so fighters (which would be a total about face) or they’ll have to actually start treating their fighters in what would be appropriate to the business’s success.
also, i LOVE how they finally came out and admitted to hand-picking his opponents. this after they gave Fedor so much shit for the rumors that he was doing the same. i bet they even made him wear those silly mexican flag briefs.
by clayton on Aug 6, 2008 4:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The problem with the promo side is that you are not going to get the best fighters to do these promos on small per diems. The top fighter can demand more money for the promos or just say no thanks.
by Jeff on Aug 6, 2008 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that makes sense. it still seems like there are fighters who are more likely to make something of themselves but haven’t yet.
i think it’s safe to say huerta was chosen because he was cheap but also because he’s mexican-american and, uhh, more tv friendly than clay guida.
by clayton on Aug 6, 2008 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clayton: I know what your saying about hand picking opponents but you can not compare this to Fedor. Heurta has been given tough fights that he should have won. But Heurta has been in some really good (even) fights, which means to me a good match up(& worth the money i’m paying to watch them fight) can you say the same about Fedor? Did anyone give the 8 foot freak show a chance of even making it competative?
by MoonUK on Aug 6, 2008 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you’re right. the two aren’t identical but they’re similar enough to make the UFC’s (Dana’s?) act of calling Fedor out more than a bit hypocritical. That was more my point.
by clayton on Aug 6, 2008 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think his new agent is way to greedy. As much as I appreciate seeing him fight, it’s unrealistic for him to demand better than what BJ terms.
by Fedor Emelianenko DVD - MMA instructional on Aug 6, 2008 4:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Also, of course he doesn’t deserve more than BJ, but does BJ himself deserve more? Probably, because he could do something outside the UFC. And BJ isn’t even heavily marketed. That puts the ridiculousness of this in perspective.
I don’t blame Huerta one bit. I blame his selfish, greedy agent for risking Huerta’s career and more than anything, I blame the UFC for making that risk a small one. The UFC is reaping what they’ve sewed and they will continue to do so until the competition fails or they become more consistent with fighter pay and treatment. Consistent not just to the industry but to their marketing machine and the industry norms (if there ever are any).
by clayton on Aug 6, 2008 4:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well since he doesn’t seem to think he makes enough money, why doesn’t he move back to Mexico? See what he likes more after a week there.
by RandomTask on Aug 6, 2008 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I saw the pre-fight interview, and I didn’t see them twisting things at all. It came off like he intended. I think he’s just looking for a bone to pick. Once a person sees somebody else as “the enemy”, pretty soon everything they do fits that template. I think Huerta is barking up the wrong tree, and for the wrong reasons. If he wants to leave the UFC, then do it and get it done with. But stop with the publicity about it. One Randy Couture is enough.
by MMACrossfire on Aug 6, 2008 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think that Huerta will get a mean dose of reality this weekend. Even if he wins he doesn’t deserve what he’s asking for.
I think that the UFC should look to have a standard salary of say 30K for most fighters with huge win bonuses for fighting top ranked contenders. For example a pay of 30K plus a bonus of like 50K for beating Florian is a little more reasonable. If he beats some no name hack his bonus goes down.
I think the issue is the guaranteed money. Dana’s been burnt a few times recently by fighters like Cro-Cop and Vera (I like them both so this isn’t hating)…They both get guaranteed big money and the incentive to win isn’t as much. If you give lower guaranteed money with a bigger win bonus I think it’s a win-win situation.
by Shadyone33 on Aug 6, 2008 4:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Huerta is not worth six figures, period. We all know how mexicans love their “revoluciones”. It’s a publicity stunt for the guy who got a big head from being on Time magazine and it’s not at all surprising. Florian is going to choke him out in the 2nd round, Hello Elite XC Mr. Huerta!!
by Big E on Aug 6, 2008 5:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
F*** these guys roger, All the fighters should get paid more there is not one ufc fighter who’s base salary is more than the lowest paid player in the NFL. A-ROD makes 100’s of millions for swinging a bat and the ufc cant pay roger, or any of the other well deserving fighers ( aka Jardine ) triple figures? Roger fought 5 times last year for the UFC!!, if you count in all the sparring sessions that guy got punched in the face last year more times than i ate dinner. I think roger’s got kenny, probably third round, and if he wins and leaves the ufc the lightweight division will have no credibility when bj moves up. All we’ll ever hear is "i bet huerta could have beat him. The UFC cant let him leave if he wins. Mess him up roger. Ibet you guys hate the movie good fellas huh? the quote “F you pay me” makes your veins fill with criticism.
p.s. who wants to see sherk vs maynard? i do i dont like watching wrestlers unless their fighting other very skilled wreslters, then it’s a man fight.
by Leroy on Aug 6, 2008 5:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
you can’t compare MMA to baseball. Dana has over 200 guys to pay. the yankees have what? 30? you are comparing apples to oranges. yeah in the NFL and stuff players make more. there is also a MUCH larger pool of money to draw from to pay those athletes. think of it this way, in the NFL, MLB, etc each team is like its own MMA promotion with a very limited number of athletes, so yeah they can pay more.
by kitsunex on Aug 6, 2008 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don’t think hes worth that much but when guys like brandon vera making 200k per fight id probably be asking for something like that if i was their posterboy. who cares if they built him up he should be able to make money while he can. It is kind of ironic that the same people that are bitching about how fighters should get paid more are the same ones here that are saying he shouldn’t be paid that much. i don’t fault him for asking that much and i wouldn’t fault the ufc for not paying him that much.
by Eric on Aug 6, 2008 6:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dana White called Roger a moron and a p***y in a Canadian interview today. It’s on bitches!!!!!! An MP3 of the full interview- http://rs363.rapidshare.com/files/135396136/2008-08-06-Dana_White_Interview.mp3
by DSmith on Aug 6, 2008 7:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ooooooo nice find. Roger, u dandadant! shouldn’t have got on his bad side. Dana really let him have it in that 1.
by kama kaze on Aug 6, 2008 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thanks for posting this! it was a good listen, especially when dana calls tito a retard.
by kitsunex on Aug 7, 2008 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve always enjoyed Huerta, but this kinda smells. One thing for sure, This is a rare occasion where most posts tend to agree in principle. You can’t expect to alienate fans while at the same time claiming to be a big time PPV draw. Nothing in this sport happens in a vacum. It would be better for him to get this behind him asap, and focus on beating Kenflo. Cause’ a loss (especially a dramatic loss) will blow holes all through his negotiations.
by Jrandolph on Aug 6, 2008 7:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
its the ufc’s fault!!! they created a monster who thinks he’s a bigger star than what he really is. i’m a huerta fan and he puts on really good fights but i dont think he is really that good, not just yet. i mean i dont consider guida a top fighter and he was getting taken down at will, i doubt he could hang with more experienced guys like sherk, penn, stevenson, maybe fisher and edgar or other top guys in the lw div. but hey thats just my opinion…
by itsT.O.baby!!! on Aug 6, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
his demands arent that crazy… they are at most double what people would think is inline with what other fighters get relative to their name star power etc
huerta is one of their bigger stars and most marketable
other guys like vera are on this amount and huerta is already a bigger star than him
affliction salaries being common knowledge are going to mess mma up… enter even more hollywood agents… perhaps well have a NHL style lockout
i wish ufc had never started talking to agents… would be far better if it were only guys who truly love the sport were involved in money matters
take greg jackson randy aka guy few others lock them in a room and let them negotiate with ufc the true fair pay… would work far better than randys golddigging wife and hollywood agent ruining everything
fighters dont have much power regardless of what their jackass agents tell them
sitting out and chasing $$$ seriously hurts your short courear… randy… tito…penn…vera… possibly fedor
these guys need to suck it up and prove they are worth a damn… sitting around whining about $$$ isnt going to get them anywhere
huerta as face of the ufc should be able to pick up a packet for training/commercials/tshirts/tv appearances/film roles etc
i doubt there are many guys who have left ufc due to underpay who are better off in what they have done after leaving
by bigjohn on Aug 6, 2008 9:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
They really did hype Huerta up. You can’t help to think he might have got a big head because of them. Good Point
Rob Dib
http://www.break-your-face.com
by Rob Dib on Aug 6, 2008 9:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s true. Who has he fought besides Guida? Beat Florian (which isn’t going to happen) then complain. UFC has protected Huerta in order to make him as popular as possible. I like Huerta, met him at UFC 76 in Anaheim. He was cool as hell. I just don’t agree with his request to make more $ than BJ Penn.
by Josh H. on Aug 7, 2008 12:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Josh it doesn’t matter who he’s fought! or actually it does cause they wanted to make Roger a star so they promoted him the right way, and now they’re making big money on him cause he’s become so popular and is a fan favourite, so he should get paid what he deserves cause he’s good business for the UFC!
by RoB on Aug 7, 2008 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, it’s finally happened. MMA = Boxing. Nice knowing you MMA, it was fun while it lasted. I give it less then two years before you have the same b/s boxing has. Too many organizations, no cross-promotion, multiple champions of the same weight class, etc etc.
by Punk Rock Scott on Aug 7, 2008 12:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
isn’t boxing one of the biggest and most successful cultural forces in American history? OH NOES FREE AGENCY IS GOING TO TAKE OVER AND WE CAN FINALLY SEE FEDOR vs. RANDY AND FABER vs. KID.
awful stuff indeed
by El dirte on Aug 7, 2008 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This reminds me of the time the CIA groomed Osama Bin Laden to help fight the Russians in Afghanistan. You have to be careful how you groom someone, they might become your worst enemy, ie: Randy Couture, Tito, and now Roger.
But be careful, he really hasn’t said that much, besides the fact that he won’t fight for the UFC unless they give him what he thinks he’s worth. There’s nothing wrong with that, and the UFC is pretty good at lowballing fighters. This guy gives his life to the organization, get’s paid squat, becomes their poster child, he feels he deserves more money. Don’t fault him for that.
Also, any information that we get is nebulous at best. The media, like the UFC and Roger has an agenda they’re trying to meet as well.
by dave on Aug 7, 2008 2:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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