Roger Huerta clarifies his UFC remarks after Kenny Florian loss ... Sorta
by MMAmania.com on Aug 11, 2008 2:19 PM EDT
61 comments
Props: MMAWeekly.com
Quoteworthy:
"All I was saying is that from a financial point of view, basically like a retirement plan or whatever, that I can only do this for so many years. You saw the fight today. Look at (Jon) Fitch. Look at myself. As a retirement plan, we can only do this for so long, and all I was saying, is that as a business decision – and you can’t argue about this – it’s in all businesses. If another company offers you something better for you and your family, you would do that. It’s the logical thing to do, and that’s all I was saying."
Lightweight Roger Huerta -- who lost to Kenny Florian via unanimous decision over the weekend at UFC 87: "Seek and Destroy" -- tries to provide some context to the controversial remarks he made just before the fight. For more background on that click HERE. His statements clearly agitated UFC President Dana White who referred to Huerta -- once considered the Latino golden boy who could do no wrong -- as a "moron." "El Matador" has one fight remaining on his contract. And there was speculation that he and the promotion were "far apart" on reaching an agreement before the fight. It will be interesting to see if that chasm has grown larger now that Huerta no longer has an ace up his sleeve (being the top 155-pound title contender) or if cooler heads will prevail and a deal can be forged. Time will tell.
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I hope it all works out. Roger is one of my favorite fighters and I’d like to see him compete in the UFC for a long time.
by Sean_M on Aug 11, 2008 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great matchup. They’re both very exciting and energy drivin. I would have to pull for Lauzon on this one, just because of his attitude as a fighter. Huerta dropped a little on the respect list over the past few weeks, but I would still take the time to watch his fights. But, the fact that they would both be on the losing end of their fighting streaks would only add to the excitment.
Joe Silva,
Make it happen. I mean who esle?
by Kimura by Fedor on Aug 11, 2008 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Talk about spin control eh? Should have kept that Ace up his sleeve instead of opening his mouth. From a business perspective you don’t talk trash about your employer publicly, thats just foolish. As much as I love Huerta he really needed to learn his lesson and maybe Dana can cool it as well and realize this is a young guy and he made a mistake and now he’s trying to back track, maybe one more shot Dana. Or feed him to the wolves (Sherk) and let him know what the top competition is like. I think John is right and he will probably fight Lauzon but I think he would beat Lauzon (not based on anything other than bias), I also would rather him beat Lauzon just because he has a more exciting style of fight to watch.
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Aug 11, 2008 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He can forget about his 6 figure per fight deal now!
I still like Roger and think he has a very bright future in the UFC or whatever organization he chooses to fight in!
by john on Aug 11, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huerta vs. Melvin Guillard (Fireworks fo sho!)
Huerta vs. Manny G. (both comming off losses = always exciting fights)
Huerta vs. Guida part Duece (now who doesn’t want to see that?)
by TabascoSAUCE on Aug 11, 2008 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sean_M – Yeah, I agree. I’d hate to see him leave, or worse: leave on bad terms. Had he beaten Florian, okay, maybe he’d have some leverage. But no longer. It’s possible he could sign a new contract with the UFC for better money. Or, he could fight his last fight, and go elsewhere… but where? Japan? Strikeforce? I think it’s unlikely that he’d get better money, other than a one-fight deal with Affliction or something (assuming they ever venture down as low as 155).
by MMACrossfire on Aug 11, 2008 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree… it is nice to see him in the mix and he will improve for sure.
by DJ on Aug 11, 2008 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
many fighters get quoted and get their words twisted because that is what creates news and hype. the quote above makes sounds more believeable. roger is still one of the most excitng fighters and if florian would have engaged a little more, we woulda of had fight of the year!! i will continue to watch huerta fight any day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by blah on Aug 12, 2008 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand his position though. image a football player trying to retire in his 30’s making what these fighters are making. This is a sport that very few can keep going into there 30’s, especially if they start in their early 20’s. Randy may be in his 40’s but his first UFC fight was at 33 years old. Imagine if he would have started at 20.
by getrawbc on Aug 11, 2008 2:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If you are Kenny the " non finisher" trained by Kalib you could fight well into your 50’s. Huerta takes a betting for the fans his body will only take that for so long.
by hk on Aug 11, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Florian executed his game plan brilliantly and out classed a brawler. Huerta was exposed as a brawler, with wrestling, a good chin, and not much else.
The biggest difference you missed is that Starnes lost his fight, and Florian won his.
Don’t cry because your fighter lost.
by TABASCOsauce on Aug 11, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A brawler and wrestler and good chin what more do you want? and you for got heart, good jits defense, and good at getting back up the one thing he lacked was what he needed the most more polished boxing he could not cut the angles on florian and he exposed him to that you cant be perfect at everything. He escape Florians dominant positions with ease rear naked choke that is a jits move and he defended that well he is young, and training with GSP will work wonders for him I would be the first to say he has lots to learn and its his fault for losing because he didnt not practice or has never trained on cutting angles dont know but Florian did not come to fight he came to win ala Tim Sylvia.
by hk on Aug 11, 2008 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t give hk too much credit for his grammar or spelling but I think he makes some valid points here. Florian is a very solid fighter and Huerta wasn’t exactly dominated. I still believe he’s one of the top fighters in the weight class.
by greggo on Aug 11, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please. Huerta is the first guy Florian hasn’t finished and still won.
Florian vs. Penn
by Ground-Game on Aug 11, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t blame Florian for not finishing this fight. Huerta is a game fighter. But, to say that he ran from Huerta like Kalib Starnes? That’s just insane. I would agree to a point. I think Florian fought “not to lose” rather than “fighting to win”.
If Florian is guaranteed a title shot with a win against Huerta, why would he go and risk it by brawling? He had to have a sound game plan. Very similar with Jon Fitch against Chris Wilson (Fitch’s fight before GSP). Fitch looked tenative against Wilson, winning by decision. And he got his title opportunity.
Think about it, if both Huerta and Florian came off losses and had fought each other…there would be blood spilled and a finish most definately because they’d be out to prove themselves. No need for Kenny…he’s earned a title fight against GSP.
by TabascoSAUCE on Aug 11, 2008 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chk it out :
Towards the end a female reporter kind of confused..and Dana’ " Oh God..".. comment. I find it funny.
by PhilQNY on Aug 11, 2008 2:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
that was funny phil, she’s like “did we miss something, what did you say about the ufc”
no one wants to do a fantasy football league???
by kevin doesn't know shit on Aug 11, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Makes sense, the demamds were outrages but justified to that point on a winning streak and possibly on track for title shot. Keep in mind in concept they’re paying you for fighting but in reality they pay you to sell their product if he is the catalyst to open up the mexican market why should he not get paid look at chuck he is the primary marketing toy in the US along with Randy and they make way over 100K BJ, Randy, GSP, Spider or Chuck could not be used as marketing tools to invade Mexico and that is why he would be asking for so much (just let me get a piece of the pie that you will be getting from me type of deal).
by hk on Aug 11, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
hk – Then the big question is: does he get big money before he’s the big Mexican star, or not until?
by MMACrossfire on Aug 11, 2008 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Appeling to the mexicans is just part of it as well as appeling to many other people. such as people who look to see somebody fight for real. First ppv i bought was this one and was to see this fight and Florian let me down not even fight of the night let alone fight of the year but respect to him he did what he had to, and in his case to woman, you wouldnt believe but women actually tone in just for him. He deserve that money now more than Brandon Vera not more than BJ. could there be a clause were he gets part of ppv buys for in event in mexico would be smart not for any event in the USA were you are not the headliner. I believe his demands are on the right track he just didnt explain the details. plus why are people upset Dana said it the best there is no problem he still has 2 fights. He was just trying to setup his next contract and it was blown way out of proportion.
by hk on Aug 11, 2008 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
First stop taking this spin control, what he’s doing here is admitting his mistake and best he can make it sound. I love Huerta’s fights and he’s one of my favorite LW fighters but he made a big mistake here. First there is not one fighter in the UFC getting PPV portions in their pay, its a pay to show pay to win get extra money if your fight is good deal. Huerta was asking for a super stars pay before he was even a super star, before he even fought a super star. Anyway that said him wanting higher pay isn’t even the big deal, its that he went to the public with his wants and needs. You don’t do that in the UFC, come on man what have you learned here?
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Aug 11, 2008 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
chuck gets ppv %‘s. so did randy. so did jacob.i can see someone like gsp getting a piece of the ppv pie if his ppv’s keep selling like they are. it all depends on your consitancy. no one that isnt or never has been a champ has gotten ppv money. except brock, maybee. heurta had no choice but to recant alot of what he said . he lost! dont worry roger fans, he be with the ufc as long as they want him to be. where else is he gonna go. elite,dream, and affliction are all in financial woes. he shulda kept his mouth shut until after the fight.
by b.w. on Aug 11, 2008 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, off topic, but how did all you gamblers do this past weekend??
Here were my bets:
Parlay – GSP/Maia/Manny = lost $10
Parlay – Brock/GSP = Won $18
GSP = Won $10
At the last minute I tried betting to win $10 on Florian, but they already closed the odds for that fight…
So I ended up being up $18 (real money) for the night. It stinks betting such little amounts, but I am pretty broke right now and my wife hasn’t and isn’t able to work. Plus, I had over $100 on Marcus Davis over Swick, and Rampage losing to Forrest REALLY took a toll on my account, I pretty much lost everything… So after that event, I had to re-deposit for the first time, only $50. I won a bet on Eddie Alvarez, I won all my bets on Affliction and my paraly between Affliction and UFN Silva/Irvin. i won by 2 parlays on ElteXC, I lost my $5 parlay on the WEC event but several times I was about to bet $5 on Cantwell, that would have won $15.
I never lie about how much I bet, because there is no need to. So with my $50 deposoit from a little over a month ago, only betting on MMA, I am now a little over $111. I more than doubled my $50.
Two days after I deposited that $50, they mailed me something saying a 100% bonus on $00 deposit. I DEFINITELY would have done that. Normally the $100 only gets you $15 bonus…
The problem before was that I would risk my entire bank roll on every event… Which has changed. From this point forward I plan on increasing my bankroll anywhere from 15 – 40%. As always, I’ll keep you updated. Right now, Liddell is at -260. I think he will for sure be in the -300’s range come fight time. I am about to lay some down on Chuck right about now. Risk $26 to win $10 for now. The other 3 fights BetUs has listed are pretty tough. But listen up – you do get better odds on certain fighters when you bet early!
by ViolentMike on Aug 11, 2008 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lol, i’m in the same boat money wise, but I bet $100.00 on the event. $50.00 straight on Herring at +190 and $50.00 straight on Florian at -115. I ended up losing like $16.00 when it was all said and done. It was a good night though, so I wasn’t too irked about the Herring fight, I kinda figured going in that I was gonna lose that $50 but with those odds and his experience it was just too tempting. O well, hopefully better luck next time. I really wish I would have put a bet on Emerson.. I just did not see that fight going down that way.
by O damn he got caught on Aug 11, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
10,000 on gsp to win 6500 (put all my eggs in one basket)
lost 100 on herring
100 to win 800 on florian
so (rounded off) I made 7000 and change
by kevin doesn't know shit on Aug 11, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
+$250 for GSP
+$400 Brock
-$150 Huerta
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Aug 11, 2008 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Violent Mike, what website did/do you bet on? I wanted to throw $100 on a GSP/Florian/Maia parlay but couldnt find a site for it.
by WB on Aug 11, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What’s your email address???? I can refer you if you’d like…
by ViolentMike on Aug 12, 2008 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
VM. i coulda swore you said you were betting on emerson and me stating that i hope you would be right. was this a misunderstanding on my part or did you have a change of heart?
by b.w. on Aug 11, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man, I wish! I got Manny in a parlay early on when he was -260. Fight time he was -340. I didnt’ see any value in Manny at those odds, and I was waiting to see if Emerson would hit +300.
by ViolentMike on Aug 12, 2008 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like he’s back pedaling to me, he was really banking on winning that fight with Florian and being worth more to the company and now he’s back pedaling. I think last time one of his quotes was “Thats why I don’t do promo work for the UFC”. that doesn’t sound like “you have to do whats right for you and your family.” No hate intended for Huerta though, he’s a good fighter and seems like a good guy, just too bad he already put his foot in his mouth imo. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ken Flo got an extra under the table bonus this time around.
by O damn he got caught on Aug 11, 2008 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He said it on all of his pre-fight interviews and the pre-fight presser as well. He’s wrong about doing PR. The more he hypes the fight and the UFC the better for him, but maybe he feels sometimes he’d be better served to be training for a fight instead.
by DSmith on Aug 11, 2008 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Possibly, but it’s a little coincidental that he was at the end of his contract, coming into a #1 contender fight and thats when he decided to let a few comments fly about the pay. I think he was banking on beating Florian and putting the UFC in a position where they had to give him more money so that the #1 contender would challenge for the belt. A well thought out scheme Huerta… Thats some Lex Luthor shit.. j/k, I like Roger, hopefully he sticks around. Maybe Huerta vs Sherk is coming up?
by O damn he got caught on Aug 11, 2008 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What Huerta should have said, was that he made an off the cuff remark that was taking time away from his training, was cranky and was off based for the PR analogy. He was in the middle of negotiations, things weren’t going well and instead of being being patience and seeing how the Florian fight went, he said some things that were meant to reflect his concern for his financial longevity in the UFC but came out wrong, “Sorry Dana”.
There’s a way to interview your point across clearly without making it look like an assault against white/ufc.
White addressed exactly what Huerta was saying, yeah he called Huerta a “moron”, but White says exactly what’s on his mind as if he were in his office behind closed doors. He’s truly believes they’re getting paid accordingly, since there’s really no other competitive organization to dictate otherwise.
Huerta should use his personality, and business background to ride the UFC wave, create an income outside of the UFC like so many of these other guys have, until he’s earned those heavy paydays, he’s only 24 yrs old and he’ll get there quickly, but not by bitching publicly.
by THORAZINE on Aug 11, 2008 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huerta let the fame get to his head. He had to learn the hard way. I mean, he’s good but he is not elite yet by any means and he still has a lot of grinding to do.
by bostonmmajunkie on Aug 11, 2008 2:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
you is running backwards so fast he is tripping. Obviously we know why he said it, but that doesnt change why he brought it public. And why he was so negative about the UFC over it. Bottom Line
He had two fights left on a contract he signed.
It is his choice to do side stuff and he said he wouldnt fine
again dont bring the UFC thru your dirty laundry, thats when Dana strikes back. He never starts the shit first. But he will play hard ball.
Huerta should have finished this fight and negotiated a contract that he wanted, if he couldnt get it he could leave then bring it public that he felt the UFC was being cheap.
But you cant just sign a contract then bitch. It doesnt make any sense. You will few people on your side even if they think you should get more.
A contract is a contract is a contract.
Huerta is as big as he is because the UFC made him. How he can take it some were else his choice, thats fine, but dont act like a bitch.
by badguy on Aug 11, 2008 2:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hope it all works out for him. He’s training with the right guys now and headed in the right direction in that regard. I read the article in Fight and he never said he felt he was underpaid, wasn’t happy with his contract etc. Huerta just learned a big lesson on dealing with the media and understanding the role doing PR has on carreer. Hope to see him again before the end of the year maybe against Lauzon, Pelligrino, Edgar, Stevenson or someone else substanial. His position is understandable. He doesn’t have until 65 or a Couture 44 even. The demands were crazy but I guess you have to start high and work your way down. I suppose if I started a career at 19 and only had until maybe mid thirties I guess I would start to panic too. He may want to record his interviews himself as well in the future to keep this out of context/misquoting business from happening too many more times.
by DSmith on Aug 11, 2008 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
go onnn, go somewhere else, plenty of peeps out there will fight you and plenty more loot, id like to see him fight Nick Diaz, then again i like seeing Diaz fight anyone.
by Insain on Aug 11, 2008 3:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
how beat up is sable? one ugly bitch, you can see where the make up ends and the turkey neck begins, imagine what that looks like without make up. I recently saw a pic of eva longoria with out make up too, man she looks bad
by kevin doesn't know shit on Aug 11, 2008 3:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
seriously. lay off the botox, lip injections and cheek implants.
by DSmith on Aug 11, 2008 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
make up…what happened to a natural look?
by kevin doesn't know shit on Aug 11, 2008 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude that is someones wife, have a bit if respect, just a tad, my god!
by badguy on Aug 11, 2008 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know what you’re talking about with Eva. What a drag.
by Jrandolph on Aug 11, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He seems to be getting more humble with a loss to Ken-flo.
by Fedor Emelianenko DVD - MMA instructional on Aug 11, 2008 3:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Huerta most definitely hurt himself with his ill advised comments in Fight! magazine. I do think that the UFC will come to terms with him though with a contract that is perhaps 25% better than Kos’. Fans don’t want to hear about retirement plans etc.
by Muscle Dolphin on Aug 11, 2008 3:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
especially at age 24. even if he doesnt make it as a suprestar fighter, with his looks this kid’s not ever gonna have to worry about money. i think maybe arianny was holding out on him for a 300k ring or a benz.
by b.w. on Aug 11, 2008 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i dont think the ufc should give him a dime until he beefs up his kitten paw punching power and maybe, just maybe finished a fight for a change. hes just an over hyped pretty boy that couldnt punch his way out of a wet paper bag
by Product on Aug 11, 2008 4:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The only time he didnt finish was Leonard Garcia but Leonard came to fight with Kenny. Kenny did a great job of running and countering but Kenny didnt want any of Roger.
by hk on Aug 11, 2008 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is an ongoing business relationship – not a 1 time hit and run deal. so in that case i think its a better idea to sit with your boss privately and work out a win/win deal. but i guess thats how they teach you to negotiate in college: hardball sytle. just because you start off negotiations further apart doesn’t make the middle meeting point # bigger. Since Huerta already spoke out, I expect Dana to lay down the iron fist and use the Kenny fight as leverage to the utmost.
by kama kaze on Aug 11, 2008 4:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Now that he has lost he’ll get 50 or 60 to fight and teh same to win. If he loses his next fight without the extension then the money goes down. I have never been real impressed with Huerta. Clay was beating him up and he got a submission. That kind of victory is not impressive as he was not going for submission all night he just got clay to make a mistake where as he had been making mistakes all night to that point
by staples on Aug 11, 2008 6:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Poor Roger Huerta.
Let’s hope he doesn’t go Tito Ortiz on us.
Sure he is talented, but he isn’t top tier. Better pay than BJ Penn? Right!
Huerta has been through a bunch of shiat in his life. Sometimes people who have suffered like this feel entitled to something.
by DubNub on Aug 11, 2008 7:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I see Huerta going to Affliction and fighting Horodecki. They like to over pay fighters. They just can’t afford to.
by Kenton on Aug 11, 2008 7:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ufc is going to give you less, than if you had one, and guess what the compition will do the same , you should have kept your mouth shut, and retire right now.
by Ro-J on Aug 12, 2008 9:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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