Roger Huerta: "I'm Not Going to Call it Quits Anytime Soon"

by Anton Tabuena on Sep 23, 2009 12:03 AM EDT

It was already a forgone conclusion that Roger Huerta would leave MMA for acting, but after a stellar twist of events, it's his fellow MMA fighter/aspiring actor, Rampage Jackson who is retiring, and Huerta is the one who decides to stay.

20090921045443img0017_medium His split-decision loss to Gray Maynard seems to have ignited his desire to fight. Roger talked to Sherdog about it:

"I think it could have gone either way and it’s my fault I let it go to the judges and I can’t go out like that. I can’t go out with two losses in a row. I don’t think I’m going to call it quits anytime soon."

"I’m still open to acting. Hopefully we get something going with that, but I’m not going to prioritize (acting) now. I’ll still prioritize fighting. If the UFC wants me back, I’d be willing to go back."

There is a bit of a hurdle though. He still has to re-sign with the UFC as the Maynard fight was the last in his contract. They've had problems with Huerta's last contract negotiation and it kept him sidelined for over a year. Hopefully this time, everything goes smoother and we get to see the charismatic fighter back inside the octagon as soon as possible.

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Comments

Dana said Huerta wanted some BJ Penn money. So I’m thinking Huerta was just asking for a cost of living raise.

I’m sure the UFC will offer him a nice contract so he doesn’t wind up fighting Strikeforce.

by steveoc24 on Sep 23, 2009 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

Huerta's heart

brought tears to my eyes in that Maynard fight. How he did not tap or break… what a f’n badass.

Forward Ever, Backward Never...

by Tony NJ on Sep 23, 2009 12:29 AM EDT reply actions

huerta is a badass, and he is super tough. i am also a fan. But some people just have flexible shoulders. There are a couple of guys at our bjj club, both under 160lbs that could easily do that with their shoulders. If Huerta wasnt that flexible, he would have a torn rotator cuff or worse.
With that said im sure there was a bit of pain involved and he is a warrior. I know if that was me and i didnt tap my arm would be hanging like a limp noodle after

by bluejitz on Sep 23, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Huerta is a damn exciting fighter, and I’d love to see him come back and fight guys like Tyson Griffin and Diego Sanchez.

That being said, he has some flaws in his game he needs to work out.

by Razzel on Sep 23, 2009 12:31 AM EDT reply actions

good news

hopefully they work something out.

by woooburn on Sep 23, 2009 1:45 AM EDT reply actions

Translation:

“Now that Ive been tooled in my last 2 fights Im not worth as much money as I thought… your original offer sounds great right about now… can we now make a deal :) ?”

by mmalogic on Sep 23, 2009 1:53 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

that or he saw an early cut of tekken and realized the movie sucks and he can’t act

by ldglass on Sep 23, 2009 4:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Don’t forget the part about him not getting any acting gigs.

Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.

by ufc4 on Sep 23, 2009 9:30 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Nicely timed though, with the Rampage brouhaha.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Sep 23, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Great news.

by Nick Thomas on Sep 23, 2009 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!

by grein on Sep 23, 2009 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions 8 recs

I would rec this a billion times if I could. Also, huzzah for Huerta staying.

The mat is my church, the ground is my heaven, Jiu-Jitsu is my religion. And once you hit the ground you're in my world. My world is like the ocean, I’m like a shark and most people don't even know how to swim - Draculino

by Patrick Tenney on Sep 23, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

.....News everyone!

"That feeling after you win and they raise your hand... it's like you have this energy that releases from your body, and it's like you mingle with the cosmos, and you feel omnipotent"

by woomikee on Sep 23, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Another situation where a fighter and his team completely overvalued their worth outside the UFC and now have to go crawling back? Shocking.

by Phildo on Sep 23, 2009 8:51 AM EDT reply actions

This is awesome

I’m a fan of Huerta and felt really let down the Maynard fight would be his last. I wonder if any other promotions besides the UFC will try to scoop him up, despite coming off two losses.

by rzor on Sep 23, 2009 9:58 AM EDT reply actions

Huerta’s IMDB listing says it all:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2292085/

Roger has a great story but he lacks personality.

Visit MMAEruption.com!

by MMAEruption on Sep 23, 2009 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

Huerta is one of my top 5 favorite fighters

I got to meet him in Montreal and he stayed longer than other fighters to meet with fans and take pics and sign autographs… I’m extatic to hear he’s sticking with it and hopefully him and the UFC come to a deal soon!

by Annie83 on Sep 23, 2009 12:58 PM EDT reply actions

Roger Huerta Determines Tekken May Not Launch an Acting Career

I guess it’s a one in, one out program with MMA fighters and acting. Randy comes out, Huerta goes in. Huerta comes out, Rampage goes in. Cung Le goes in…uh…hmm.

...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 Sep 23, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions