Roger Huerta Is Shopping for a New Deal
by Brent Brookhouse on Nov 24, 2009 1:00 PM EST
in MMA News
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Roger Huerta is now officially a free agent. Following the final fight on his UFC deal Roger has entered into the period where he is able to negotiate with any promotion while the UFC retains the right to match any offer made. Sherdog.com was able to catch up with Roger Huerta and Jeff Clark of his management team and get a few statements out of them:
When asked if he and the fighter had started negotiations with the UFC, Strikeforce, and other promotions, Clark answered that, "we’ve had a lot of interest from different parties." Clark would not elaborate further.
...
"I recently saw, actually, that fight with Fedor (Emelianenko) vs. (Brett) Rogers and the show looked amazing," said Huerta, who is 6-2 in the UFC. "The fights looked great. There’s a lot of great fights in that show."
Huerta, who was the first mixed martial artist to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2007, believes he’d fare well in Strikeforce’s 155-pound ranks.
"It would be up to them," said Huerta, "but I’d definitely like to fight a top-caliber fighter like (Shinya) Aoki, (interim champion Gilbert) Melendez, or (champion Josh) Thomson. Obviously, I’d have to earn my stripes in that organization, if I went there, but any of those fights would be amazing."
Strikeforce and Bellator both have to be very interested in signing the lightweight star. The real question is: how much defense is the UFC going to play in matching any offers that come in to Huerta?
A lot of people assumed that making the fight with Maynard was a similar move to the Andrei Arlovski / Jake O'Brien fight where a "star" on his way out was given a fight which even if he won would end up looking ugly. Instead we got some of the usual Huerta drama and he left the promotion with a split decision loss. No matter how clear it was that Roger lost that fight, one judge scoring it for him really improves his marketability. Rather than being bounced from the UFC in embarrassing fashion, he now "lost a hotly contested split decision."
This is going to be a very interesting situation to watch develop.
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IDK man,
Huerta isn’t really a draw, and hasn’t won a fight in 2 years.
Well, he’s only had two fights in two years, and they were both against legitimate contenders.
He’s not a draw, but the potential is obvious. His fights are great.
Selfishly I’d love for him to bolster the WEC’s Lightweight division. I’d like a lot of guys at Lightweight to go to WEC, though.
As long as I’m dreaming, I’d like a pony.
...Behold, a pale horse. The man that sat upon it was Wieters, and hell followed with him.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
What the hell are you gonna do with a pony?
"I thought I won the first round and I thought I won the second round. You see the damage on his face? I got him good," Ortiz said after the fight. "For me coming back, this was supposed to be a warm-up fight. Me and Dana talked about it being a warm-up fight, but Forrest is no warm-up fight, being ranked fifth in the world. I might have bitten off a little too much, but I still thought I won the fight....After back surgery, back after only one year. I want to see another athlete do what I do after one year of having two-level fusion."- Tito Ortiz, who apparently thinks he won the fight against Forrest Griffin
by ufc4 on Nov 24, 2009 1:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Convince everyone that it’s not a horse, but a very rare hornless unicorn.
...Behold, a pale horse. The man that sat upon it was Wieters, and hell followed with him.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
by Brett Jones on Nov 24, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 7 recs
bwahaha
rec’d. had to. you owe me a new keyboard.
by bobthewriter on Nov 24, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
And presenting our new Strikeforce Champion!
Keep firing Assholes!
In Idaho, it's illegal to f--- a porcupine. You know why? Because someone tried it.
I actually hope he goes to Strikeforce, just so he has a chance to fight some of the Dream guys: Aoki, Hansen, Kawajiri. That way we’ll finally have some comparison between their lightweights and the UFC guys.
by John Nash on Nov 24, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m hoping for the same.
Let’s see how he fares.
by MickDawg on Nov 24, 2009 3:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Sweet!
Go to Strikeforce, Roger!
Mauricio Shogun Rua #1 LHW in the World. The TRUE Champion.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Nov 24, 2009 1:24 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Playing the Tito game
Tito’s idea of garnering interest by talking to other orgs was really smart. Sounds like Huerta is going the same route. UFC isn’t the most flexible when it comes to accommodating other activities like acting, so maybe another org is the best way to go for him.
The UFC will match
I’m sure the UFC will match whatever offer he gets. I personally do think he’s a draw, he’s had a lot of great fights that were televised, plus the sports illustrated cover, plus he’s going to be in the Tekken movie. He still has potential to develop into a UFC title holder. The UFC would be foolish to not match any offer he gets.
What people get confused by...
seems to be being marketable vs. being a draw
Marketability means having the traits to become a draw.
I think Roger has that
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Nov 24, 2009 1:36 PM EST reply actions
It’s sort of the catch 22 of the whole thing.
Roger has that, but will Strikeforce or Bellator be able to tap into it?
Strikeforce = somewhat, Bellator = no, UFC = emphatic yes especially with the expansion into Mexico.
The UFC doesnt need him… he needs the UFC. The biggest money sponsors will be coming in the ways of “country” heros like GSP, etc…
He could be a star in Mexico and make bank on sponsorships alone. Efrain Escodero and Cain will be making big bucks down there.
by mmalogic on Nov 24, 2009 2:27 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He could be a star in Mexico and make bank on sponsorships alone. Efrain Escodero and Cain will be making big bucks down there.
I think you are grossly overestimating how much Mexican fight fans are willing to embrace Americans of Mexican descent. Historically, they have been lukewarm towards ‘fake’ Mexicans.
Undoubtedly.
...Behold, a pale horse. The man that sat upon it was Wieters, and hell followed with him.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
Huerta has great fights even though he’s not an elite fighter. Let him price his services in the market to check his value.
Do you think Strikeforce will pay him more than Gil Milendez, Josh Thompson? (gil gets 50k win or lose, Josh gets 20k to show and 15k to win) Sometimes it’s not as simple as overpaying to get one guy – you have to revamp your entire pay structure to accommodate this.
Will Zuffa match the offer? depends on the offer. If the offer wont cause Strikeforce to revamp and accelerate their pay structure then most likely it will be matched but if it will cause more bleeding then maybe not.
2 weeks ago I said the key indicators on whether or not CBS was happy regardless of our arguments were 2 fighters:
Dan Henderson and Bobby Lashley. If Strikeforce signs one of them (especially if its Dan) then there will be another show. If Strikeforce signs both of them then CBS is on board with possibly more support, but if Strikeforce gets neither, more than likely its off the table for now.
by mmalogic on Nov 24, 2009 1:44 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
The only way I see Strikeforce getting Huerta is if they include a ‘poison pill’ in their contract offer. If they include some perks that are anathema to Zuffa (non-exclusivity, Huerta retains his likeness rights, etc.) they might be able to ward off what seems like an inevitable matching offer from the Evil Empire.
He did A movie
Much like Rampage, he will be doing ONE movie then come crawling back to where his real paycheck comes from.
TWO movies!
Because let me tell you, never in the history of cinema have I been as excited as I am for Death Warrior
I don’t know about you all, but Huerta vs. Aoki, Thomson, and Melendez all sound like pretty neat fights to me. How about Huerta vs. Joachim Hansen? Cool!
by JRN on Nov 24, 2009 2:07 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
I’m on board.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Nov 25, 2009 12:46 AM EST up reply actions
The UFC would be pretty stupid to let a guy like Huerta go. He would be a huge help, along with Cain Velasquez, for UFC’s Mexican expansion. He is one hell of an exciting Lightweight. I don’t understand why you lose a guy like Huerta or Henderson, but go out and get the Tito Ortizs, Phil Baronis and Dennis Hallmans of the world.
MMAMoneyLine
Getting Tito back is obvious.
Hallman is cheap.
Baroni puts on a show, for a low cost and has name value.
by MickDawg on Nov 24, 2009 3:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It’s a matter of value.
Ideally, the UFC would sign every fighter in the world. But it doesn’t make sense for them to overpay for every fighter. They have a good idea about how much money they can make from each fighter, to pay out more than that just to "keep’ someone is silly.
by Phildo on Nov 24, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Especially
When they have a reality show pumping out new, low cost “talent” 2-3 times per year.
Casual fans might not know the difference between Roger Huerta, Mac Danzig, or Ross Pearson in regards to their respective levels of talent.
Hell Junie Browning was a star in the UFC
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
Strikefoce LW tourney
Roger Huerta
Alvarez
Aoki
Hansen
Kawajiri
Thomson
Melendez
Ishida
Talk about a deep tourney. Not a single easy out in the bunch. Any of the 8 could win.
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
by aaronb on Nov 24, 2009 2:26 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Where do I sign up...
Kikuno, Shaolin, Evangelista, Beerbohm, Damm, JZ, Gurgel, Masdival.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 24, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
Obviously the UFC would like to sign him, but it’s not always in their hands. From his quotes it sounds like Roger already prefers going to Strikeforce … and it would make sense for him. It’s a much easier road to the title with a similar exposure level (CBS, Showtime) for his career. In the UFC he’ll never be able to string enough wins together to get the belt. Also in Strikeforce he can probably fight less often and get away with it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he just stalls until it’s clear for him to sign with Strikeforce.
He doesn't have to go to the UFC
Roger totally seems like he could have a similar career to Mayhem Miller. He is very marketable and could make his name by being a good fighter in less competitive divisions. He has the tools, toughness, and youth to eventually become a challenger in the UFC but its not his only option.
Mayhem has had a cult
following in Japan for years. Roger is nowhere near as popular a fighter as Mayhem.
by Riney on Nov 24, 2009 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Rodger should go to Japan
They’d pay him $hit loads of money and he would become their new god.
Huerta is very smart to shop himself around. The UFC will give him a deal b/c of the Mexico expansion. He has little chance of ever becoming champ but he’s a great guy to have headlining Ultimate Fight Nights.
I’d actually rather see Roger the WEC – he’d match up pretty well with guys like Cerrone and Horodecki.
Score another one for the good guys!
...Behold, a pale horse. The man that sat upon it was Wieters, and hell followed with him.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
If Huerta is going the way of Hendo, the UFC has already moved on and they won’t match any offer he gets from anybody else. The Maynard fight did exactly what they wanted, he got dominated and sent away from the org with a loss in front of the world and made Maynard a legit contender. This guy is just one of the many names on the hollywood agent list that has delluded himself into thinking he’s worth more than he is see ya Roger you could have been great but ego is a hell of a thing.
by Raker on Nov 24, 2009 6:18 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Yes how dare a fighter use levarage or have assumptions of self worth. Thankfully we have the fair minded and humble UFC to keep them in check.
by TLAoutlaw on Nov 24, 2009 8:47 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
The thing he and many others make the mistake on is them thinking they have leverage when they don’t. Look at Hendo he thought he had leverage and he found out just how little he means to the UFC. In the end there is a broken pile of fighters that have learned that lesson the fact that others continue to crash against the wall really makes me wonder what the hell these guys are thinking.
exactly
Look at Tim Sylvia. Sure he made 8 x’s what he would of in the UFC by using his leverage.
Yet I bet he doesn’t get to be buddies with Dana White anymore.
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
by aaronb on Nov 25, 2009 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If he is so happy with his Affliction money why did he fight mercer or Jason riley.
The Affliction people got big bucks, but they have not been able to turn that into much when it concerns their future ability to earn.
that is the biggest thing the UFC has going for them when it comes to negotiations, maybe things will be different with SF, but fighters need to decide if one big payday is worth ditching the security of the Zuffa umbrella.
Sylvia took a gamble and failed. But still, it was probably a worthwhile risk: he made $100,000 in a loss to Big Nog, and made 8 times that in a loss to Fedor. It would have taken him three years of solid fighting to make what he made in one fight, and if he had two back to back losses on his records with the UFC would they still keep him around at $100,000 to show?
Arlovski is another example: he made $575,000 in his last 4 UFC fights, and $3.25 mil the four fights since. Sure, both of them probably want to be in the UFC again, since nowhere else is going to pay them as much as the UFC would, but I’m sure they still are financially better off taking the extra $700,000 and $2.5 mil that they did.
Sylvia may have got one big paycheck from Affliction, but his long-term marketability as a fighter took a huge tumble. Hell, he’s basically begging to get back in the UFC. Unfortunately for Tim, he’s going to need to rebuild his reputation before the UFC even considers touching him, and that means he will spend the next couple of years fighting for peanuts.
How long does he have to hold out to become a real free agent?
His had 2 fights in 2 years. Certainly seems like he’s wanted out of the UFC the entire time. I think the odds are good he doesn’t decide to sign until matching contract option has expired with UFC.
seems like he’s wanted out of the UFC the entire time
I never got the impression he wanted out of the UFC. I got the impression he wants to be paid like BJ Penn. Roger’s dispute with the UFC has always been about the chedda. He’s going to sign with whoever offers him the most money. If Zuffa makes the highest offer, he’ll gladly re-sign with Zuffa. If someone else makes the highest offer, he’ll gladly sign with them.
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