It’s official, as MMA Junkie reported this weekend, Bellator FC officially announced today that the growing promotion has signed Roger Huerta (say, did you know that Mr. Huerta was the first MMA fighter to appear on the front cover of SI? If you’re a big time fan of the sport you’ve probably read that what? A thousand and one times by now?). As we noted yesterday, this is a huge signing for Bellator; the organization’s first season was well received, and with an entertaining and tough as nails fighter like Huerta now in the fold, one would think that the promotion’s TV ratings and exposure will get even better.
In a press release sent out this afternoon from the promotion, Huerta apparently had this to say about singing with Bellator:
“The chance to be a part of this year’s Bellator tournament was an opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up,” Huerta said. “I think Bellator is the next big thing in this sport. I love the tournament format and the awesome talent that they have at 155 will give me a chance to prove myself as one of the top lightweights in the world.”
Yeah, in keeping with what Huerta said after losing to Gray Maynard in the fall, it certainly does seem like he is still down with participating in regulated violence rather than just focusing on acting. That’s good news. Now let’s see if he can win the 100 g’s and a bout with champ Eddie Alvarez. We’ll be watching.
Bellator’s second season begins on April 8th. Huerta’s opponent has not been announced.