Bellator FC signs former UFC lightweight star Roger Huerta
by James Kimball on Mar 15, 2010 3:20 PM EDT
82 comments
It's a done deal.
After much speculation over the weekend about the signing of Roger Huerta on the part of the upstart promotion in the MMA groundswell, Bellator FC formally announced the exclusive signing of Huerta during a press conference from Chicago, Illinois this afternoon.
"El Matador" will compete in Bellator's season two lightweight tournament, with the winner earning a shot to take on the current lightweight champ, Eddie Alvarez.
Huerta (21-3-1) last fought in September of 2009 where he suffered the second of back-to-back losses when Gray Maynard edged him out in a split decision victory. That fight came about a year after his unanimous decision loss to Kenny Florian at UFC 87. Roger took the time off between fights to pursue his acting and modeling careers.
Now back in the mix as a lightweight fighter in a top promotion, Huerta aims to show fight fans everywhere that he hasn't lost a step and is still the same guy that reeled off six straight wins in the UFC's tough lightweight division.
"The main reason I signed with Bellator instead of Strikeforce is their format. I have a chance to control my own destiny. And that's what I want. I have the chance to fight four times this year. I want to get back to being active. I'm hungry. I'm ready," Huerta said in describing the reason he chose Bellator over other MMA promotions.
Roger's first fight will take place on April 8 from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida and will air live on FOX Sports Net.
Other participants in Bellator's season two lightweight tournament include Toby Imada, Janne Tulirinta, Chad Hinton, Ferrid Kheder, Mike Ricci, and Carey Vainer.
Keep it locked to MMAmania.com for the announcement of the final fighter that will compete in this season's lightweight tournament.
0 recs |
82 comments
| Add comment
|
Email
Print
Comments
"LIGHTWEIGHT STAR?"
LMAO, if he was even upper echelon, never mind a star, he wouldn’t have to go to Bellatar…UFC or strikeforce woulda had him
make it $20.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
sure u will.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
fair enough.
i’ll put $20 on Huerta to win the Bellator LW tournie.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
Kevin
You should have to give the guy better odds. A 20.00 bet straight across is a foolish bet for 2 words to take. Give me 5 to 1 on it, that’s quite fair, and yep I’m in.
And I do feel he is a LW star.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 15, 2010 4:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
With you Worby. I like Huerta. That guy fucking GIVES 'ER!
And I think the bet is fair. Huerta should win this tourney or he is useless to me.
canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania
Kev: you are out of your damn mind. Too much Haterodae this morning buddy?
Huerta is indeed a top lightweight. I too questioned him, until I saw how he came off that long lay off and showed tremendous improvement against Maynard….Huerta would whoop on UFC’s #1 LW contender, Frankiie Edgar!
I am sad that he didnt sign in SF, where I could have seen him bang it out with guys like El Nino, Thomson, Aoki, Kawajiri, Ishida… But seeing him fight Alvarez is personally one of the most entertaining match ups that all of mma has to offer. I do think he could have probably fought Eddie in SF, but this assures it. Anyone who thinks he will ose this tournament is out of there damn minds.
Bellators CEO is a very smart dude. Get used to Bellator, they will continue to grow…and put on quality fights.
Cant wait to see HUerta/Alvarez next fall.
Also, If Huerta somehow gets eliminated from the tournament, I am sure Bellator will let him go compete in SF…
Bad move by UFC letting him go. they built him into a star…and now let him go!
Huerta will help Bellator a lot in building their Hispanic demographic
UFC dropped the ball on Huerta, hopefully he can recapture the form and hunger that made me a fan of his. I felt very letdown by the way that he handled the end of his UFC career but he showed a lot of heart against Gray and I hope that he can win this tournament and give Eddie the fight of his life.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
kev...Alverez isn't even in it...you should've asked for odds cause Huerta's got an outstanding chance
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
bingo bango bongo
That means I agree on all your guys comments…I think it means that.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 15, 2010 6:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Now, Now.
canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania
dammit somebody comment under me so
…it doesn’t look like quidunc is talking to me! I’m not fat! I’m a size 2….
…well I USED TO BE!!! Waaaah!
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 15, 2010 6:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You press up to see who he's talking to. He was talking to Kev.
canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania
Only a star cause he got on that magazine cover
Like that meant sh**
Him and Alvarez is still a good match up though if he gets through the others. After that, UFC might sign Alvarez
My dream match-up to see
BJ Penn vs Nick Diaz!!!!! Would only be unreal
Well FuGG me sideways
Talk about a blindside.
I fo sho thought he was landing in SF’s sharktank. This could be cool… he is going to fight some Hungry youngens now! Very cool
I want Ricardo Arona to sign with the UFC and his first fight should be James Toney. This is a win win scenario for MMA
someone explain this to me please?
“I have the chance to fight four times this year.”
dosnt Sf let all there guys fight in other promotions? so if a guy wants to fight more and be more active, as well as making more money and getting his name out to the public (fighting on cbs instead of fsn could help that acting career) then wouldnt he sign with SF? i have nothing against bellator, i’ve only read good things and im excited to see the next season on fsn, but his reasoning just has me confused?
I get my ass kicked for money, all you gotta do is talk motherfucker.... Rampage Pride GP03
Don't diss Huerta
He is a game opponent for anyone he has faced. He never quits and always puts on a show. Shame he couldn’t join Strikeforce. I would have loved to see him face Josh Thompson. Battle of the pretty boys!
No one will hire him for acting gigs if he gets his ASS handed to him...
He’s doomed if he loses with BF…
lee lost and im sure it didnt doom his acting career
I get my ass kicked for money, all you gotta do is talk motherfucker.... Rampage Pride GP03
by DrewMoney$$$ on Mar 15, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
i have no idea. its absolutely beyond me
…and frustrating. I can see it with certain fighters. But not Huerta. He hasn’t done anything to warrant any hatred. Ppl just simply hate to hate.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 15, 2010 4:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
People hate on him cuz they R jealous for some reason.
Maybe becuz he’s mexican it sounds like. Nothing 2 do with his fights or fighting ability. Same reason there R alot of Cain hatrers. Probly peple that got picked on mexicans when they were young or still do who knows
by d*locc on Mar 15, 2010 5:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yur jealous of him for some reason obviously?
U don’t like him cuz he’s Mexican rite? Not cuz of the fighter he is.
by d*locc on Mar 15, 2010 6:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well its definitely something not to do with his fighting whatever it is.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 15, 2010 7:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I lost a lot of respect for Roger when he started demanding BJ level money
However I’ve always been a fan of his story and his fights and now that he’s showing that his passion in MMA is back I’m gettting back behind him. Hopefully he can win this tournament and prove the critics wrong. As much as I’ve took the piss out of the Tekken film I’ll probabaly end up buying it on DVD as well just for shits and giggles.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
Rogers a pro fighter & a very gud 1 at that,
He’s got money, he’s making movies, he’s a chick magnet. Yur right kj U have no reason 2 be jealous =D I’m sure U blow him away in every category ;)
by d*locc on Mar 15, 2010 6:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
locc is that sarcasm I detect?
canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania
this guy loves the V-neck more than Simon Cowell
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
ha
so true.
And the scarfs… him and Randy with those f’n scarfs
I want Ricardo Arona to sign with the UFC and his first fight should be James Toney. This is a win win scenario for MMA
yep they both have actual eyes for fashion.
Rare.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 15, 2010 4:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Ha I just made that point yesterday when watching UFC 109 again
Randy and Roger are the only 2 MMAsts that have any sense of fashion, Randy especially wears great clothes considering that he’s 46 you’d think that fashion would have past him by.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
Funny azz shiit
Roger Huerta is a total can now that hes not in the UFC but when i said he wasnt crap at best decent back while he was in the UFC i got flamed some of you really just, i mean why do you even bother posting on an mma forum? If all you want&like to see is ‘UFC’ then go to the UFC forums…. Rogers seemed bad at first but hes gotten decent and has continued to improve with that said hes not going to win shit outside of the UFC his chances were much better in the UFC.
If you dont like drugs then dont do them.....give them to me!
wait.... what?
His chances were higher in the UFC than with Bellator? Please clarify how that is the case.
2010:
Lesnar > [Carwin > Mir] ---> Lesnar > [Velasquez] ---> Lesnar > [JDS > GG]
his chances of losing were better in the UFC
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
LOL
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
trolls are gettin pretty dumb nowadays
Im just sayin….
" Im surprised GSP can get his jeans on with all these people clinging to his nuts"- Dan Hardy
big time! that was about the most contradictory post to date.
Just all over the map.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 15, 2010 4:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
How so?
He was decent like Guida and has been improving unlike Guida…pretty simple whats hard to understand? He has a better chance of doing good in the UFC we saw how he did against the top guys(in the ufc they are not top guys outside of it) he did great each time out and im sure he wouldve been able to avenge his losses if he had stayed would he ever be #1 nope thats obvious would he have more success in the UFC then outside thats also obvious fighting top LW’s and fighting Overrated LWs like the ones in the UFC yeah he would be alot better off in the UFC.
All the people who were blowing his cock when he was in the UFC need to stop being dana nutthuggers and continue to blow his cock hes not in the UFC because he chose not be in the UFC not the other way around.
If you dont like drugs then dont do them.....give them to me!
by Khaos_Warrior on Mar 15, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
ask round' this site, i am the biggest anti Dana round' these parts
But your theory and points still suck. He has a much better chance at being successful outside the UFC cause he won’t run into as many problems other than the current champs of the leagues or top 2 contenders (maybe), so he is and should stay top 5 in any other organization. Can’t say the same for ufc. Just cause you’re anti Dana doesn’t mean you should not recognize the talent he houses. I certainly do. And I also am a HUGE Huerta fan and stand by all his decisions no questions asked.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 15, 2010 7:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Worby you are the interim Dana hater, the real biggest Dana hater will always be Intro
And anyone who thinks that Roger will have more success in the UFC than in Bellator is talking absolute nonsense. Dream maybe but Bellator? The best LW there is Eddie and he’s not as good as BJ or Aoki.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
I bought my ticket for the 8th a while ago
I have no doubt Roger will win. Aside from Alvarez, the tourney isn’t stacked at all.
And speaking of Alvarez, I think it’s lame for him to be fighting a non-title against Neer in a so-called “Super Fight”. Neer isn’t a slouch, and say he does pull of a win against Alvarez, it will be a major fail for Bellator.
@fjbar on twitter...formerly El Mexicutioner
non-title fights NEVER make sense
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
unless there isn't a champ fighting...haha
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
had a Goldie moment there
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
Agreed
Champions should always defend their belts if they’re fighting in their weight class, otherwise you end up with farcical situations like Aurelio beating Gomi and Khalidov beating Santiago yet not getting the belt. Unless Eddie-Neer is at a catchweight then having that fight as a non-title superfight makes no sense and could cheats Neer out of the title.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
...
Alvarez vs Huerta woulda been more of a Super Fight than Alvarez vs Neer.
I’m thinking Huerta takes this tourney then fights Alvarez for the title in what I suspect will be one of the best fights of the year.
Huerta vs Neer would be fucking sweet too.
Arlovski : Kang : GSP : Rampage : Lytle : Huerta : Quarry : Serra : Wandy
I'd like to see Neer in the tournament
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
Lots of huerta hate on here
I stoped caring about him when he started crying on that one countdown show and when he left to make movies there was no going back for me. With that being said , I think he will win season 2 and if he fights Alvarez , Id pick huerta.
" Im surprised GSP can get his jeans on with all these people clinging to his nuts"- Dan Hardy
I was actually really moved when that happened
Unfortunately I found out the next day that he wanted to be paid the same as BJ and was threatening to leave the UFC so I went from being a huge Huerta fan to cheering for Kenny in a heartbeat. I’ve only just begun to get back on the Huerta bandwagon.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
roger huerta is old news. just b/c his acting career did not take off he thinks he can come back and win.
i doubt it.
I'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. I was building a house, I don't deserve this, deserves have nothing to do with it. Bang. "Unforgiven" I drink your milkshake. I drink it up! "There Will BE Blood"
by wolfmanshowlforever on Mar 15, 2010 4:26 PM EDT reply actions
lol
He will come back and win watch, maynard is real no1 contender in ufc and he lost a split to him
by Phenomenal Angel on Mar 15, 2010 10:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
then why is maynard not fighting penn? when gomi beats florian he will fight penn after that.
i’ll bet maynard loses his next fight if it’s somebody in the top 5. that diaz fight could have went either way too.
I'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. I was building a house, I don't deserve this, deserves have nothing to do with it. Bang. "Unforgiven" I drink your milkshake. I drink it up! "There Will BE Blood"
by wolfmanshowlforever on Mar 16, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Im not shock at all
bcause lets face he cant compete n the ufc. I mean his only legit win came against clay guida & im not counting the win againts the bad boy bcause he barely beat a guy who should have been fighting as a FW. heurta is the micheal bisping of the LW div. He fought nobody’s & won but when he fought real opponents he got his ass whip. I mean if i was roger i wouldn’t want 2 fight n the ufc either bcause he cant fucking beat anybody.
by titonash23 on Mar 15, 2010 4:34 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
you guys are ridiculous
So a win over Clay, and loss to Kenny (#2 or 3LW in world), and Maynard (undefeated at time), both by decision and one as a split, and he sucks? You guys really jump off fast. Ignorance is bliss I suppose.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 15, 2010 5:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Just haters, worby. He
canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania
is a great fighter and UFC is stupid for allowing him to leave.
This is the sort of thread where you should be ripping into Dana. This one justifies what you say about him.
canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania
ah! im trying to turn over a new leaf tho jay!
And look at the shit talking all over this thread! Look below this! What a moronic post! Does anyone even know how much he asked for to UFC brass? No. For Christ sakes he could’ve asked for 5-10k more per fight! The guy was insta thrown to the wolves and never had a fight that he needs to hang his head about! The man is coming off what his 2 losses ever and against Florian and Maynard and so now he sucks? 95% of the LW division would come out 0-2 of those fights.
Dana should’ve ponied up cause Huerta is slated for big big things! Two losses to calibur guys like that doesn’t mean your done son! He has tons of time, and will apt to use it in a league that appreciates and markets him accordingly. He will be a force and I won’t be surprised to see him back in ufc in 1 or 2 years time at double what he was making previously.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 15, 2010 7:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Please tell me how
n the hell was he thrown 2 the wolves. B4 he fought kenflo & the bully he fought a bunch of nobodies.
by titonash23 on Mar 15, 2010 7:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Other than clay name 1quality fighter that he’s fought & beaten. and what really pisses me off was he had the nerve 2 demand more money from the ufc. i just think he’s guy who thinks he’s a much better fighter than he really is
by titonash23 on Mar 15, 2010 6:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
He deserves more money for the same reason GSP, Brock, BJ, Tito, Chuck and Randy get more.
He puts asses in seats and sells merchandise. He is a draw and the UFC pays their draws better than they pay their champs. Huerta was a huge fan favorite and deserves to be paid accordingly.
canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania
R u kidding me
R u really comparing roger heurta 2 GSP,BROCK,&BJ r u on crack. when he fought kenflo do u really think that the ppl who bought the ppv paid 2 see him. u have got 2 b joking.
by titonash23 on Mar 15, 2010 6:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Those are just examples of guys who get paid more because they bring fans.
I could have just as easily used Kimbo and Bisping. These guys are all being paid more than fighters with the same skills they have. My point is that Huerta has a huge fan base and his fans watch his fights to see him. He should get paid for that.
canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania
I admit u
have a point jay cause micheal bisping is the most overated,overhyped fighter n ufc history. I hate that he make’s more money than machida.but the thing is if heurta was such a huge draw y did the ufc let him go n the first place. the reason is cause they no he ain’t as good as they made him out 2 b.
by titonash23 on Mar 15, 2010 7:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The guys who make the most money should be the champions
Roger is popular but that alone doesn’t mean that he deserves BJ level money, that sort of money should be reserved for the guys at the top of the division not someone who is barely top 10. I like watching Huerta fight but guys like him, Kimbo and Bisping should never be paid championship level salaries until they become top contenders, otherwise it does a disservice to the better fighters who have earnt their spot.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
Tekken as a character from the new game so I doubt that he got any lines
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
I like what Bellator is doing
At first I was hoping he’d jump on-board with SF but I immediately was intrigued about a potential matchup with Alvarez. Fact is it is a good signing; he is a name from the UFC’s promotion of him and hopefully will help grow Bellator.
One thing. Can someone tell me is there another place to watch Bellator on DirecTV? It never actually is aired live that I’ve seen on my local FSN but may be pre-empted by local sports. But didn’t see it delayed and aired later either. Damn shame because FSN did a better job airing the IFL.
by Mayhem chimpanzee on Mar 15, 2010 5:32 PM EDT reply actions
Huerta logic....
Already gone form the UFC, which organzation will give me the most coverage?
Not SF/DREAM, They have 5 LW’s capable of beating me (Aoki, Melendez, Punk, Kawajiri, Ishida). They will pay me the most, unless I lose consistently.
Bellator, they only have one LW capable (others are too unknown to me) of beating me and that is not guaranteed. I can make alomost as much money, unoless I win the touranment. Then, I make 200K, plus my salary and endorsements for the other 3 fights, and get a TON of press on ESPN Deportes and become the greatest Spanish speaking MMA fighter on the planet . (perceived due to exposure)
Not a bad choice for him.
The world is a dangerous place to live - not because of the people who are evil but because of the people who don't do anything about it. - Albert Einstein
its a great choice
..and if he claims the belt his name will exceed what it had in the Mma world, and he can opt to walk away with 1 or 2 defenses I’m sure, as he is not in a death lock like Zuffa has. And take a big pay raise if Dana wants him back, or go to SF with his more than impressive fight and organization resume, and help SF grow and add some more beautiful light to their already growing LW division.
I applaud Huerta. Very enjoyable fighter, well spoken, and tons, and tons of heart.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 15, 2010 7:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
THE 1GOOD THING THAT
could come out of this is since he’s not n the ufc anymore hopefully ea sports could sign him and add him 2 their ea sports mma LW roster.
by titonash23 on Mar 15, 2010 7:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.
On Facebook? Use Connect to join SB Nation. Share insights with fans and friends.- » Create a new SB Nation account
- » Already registered with SB Nation? Log in!
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
