According to a report this AM from MMA Junkie, “sources close to the situation,” have told the outlet that UFC veteran Roger Huerta has signed with Bellator FC. The signing is expected to be confirmed in a press conference that the promotion has called for Monday.
Now, if you’re a complete MMA newbie then you might be unaware of who Huerta exactly is (although if you’ve seen the movie “Tekken” maybe you are and you just don’t know it….), due to the fact that the lightweight has fought just once since 2008. In September he lost by Split Decision to Gray Maynard, which in typical Huerta form, was yet another ‘hot damn violence is entertaining’ performance. In other words, if you haven’t had the privilege of reviewing Huerta’s video MMA resume, prepare to be an even bigger MMA fan after doing so.
For long-time observers of the sport, news that Huerta’s time with the UFC is likely done for now, isn’t terribly surprising. Although Huerta appeared to move on from earlier tiffs he had with the organization, and after losing to Maynard in the fall he conceded the bout had renewed his interest in fighting (Huerta is yet another fighter who has been seduced by the silver screen), the lightweight hasn’t exactly been a ‘UFC forever’ kind of guy lately. The Junkie report also lays out the short term benefits of fighting for Bellator. If you win the tourney you can collect $100,000 in just a few months, and a talented fighter like Huerta, would certainly be one of the favorites to do so.
Seems like a good move by Bellator.