Roger Huerta returns to cage, but not without risk:
Mere rumors of Huerta's asking price -- which, according to sources outside the fighter's camp familiar with the negotiations, included a $250,000 signing bonus -- was enough to keep Dream, Japan's top promoter, from making an offer, said its U.S. representative, Mike Kogan.
"This is MMA, not the NFL," Kogan said.
Bjorn Rebney, the Bellator's CEO, declined to disclose the terms of his deal with Huerta, though they're believed to be considerable.
... "It was a very easy decision to make after a very long and exhaustive negotiation with his management and attorneys," Rebney said. "But it came through."
Full write-up at sportsillustrated.cnn.com
-- Click here for the press conference video.
almost 2 years ago
Nick Thomas
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When it comes to the Japanese market, I think we already kinda knew they can’t match top dollars for fighters. For example, I think Crocop said no offer was as good as the UFC one. However, in this case, I don’t think Dream really wanted to pay Roger that much. I don’t think he means much to the Japanese audience, and I personally don’t think he’s worth that.
I don't want to lick any butt. - GSP
That is an odd conclusion to jump to based solely on the fact that they don’t want to give out quarter million dollar signing bonuses.
To a small, non-freak, non-native, who lost two in a row, and will not draw in a crowd no less. It might be the least crazy news out of Japan since, well ever. Rational thought, shocking.
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
That, plus, we know that the same level of money is not in Japanese MMA that was there when PRIDE was paying everyone under the sun absurd amounts of money.
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by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 17, 2010 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Good for him
That’s a crazy signing bonus for someone coming off of two losses. Can’t wait to see Roger Huerta vs. Eddie Alvarez.
Thats even if he makes it to the end of the tournamant to face Eddie ? There are a few LW’s in that tournamnt I think could easily knock Huerta out, I don’t like the way he matches up against Jorge Masvidal at all.
First up
Jorge Masvidal vs. Toby Imada II if Jorge can get passed Masvidal again, I’ll worry about it. Any word on who the last LW participant is?
Come on now Imada’s only chance at winning the rematch is if he can somehow pull out another amazing sub out his ass again which I myself highly dout. THe first fight was a total one sided ass whipping until Toby caught that inverted triangle. That being said I really wish that Bellator would of not made this rematch in the first round like they did.If Jorge wins the rematch like I think he will it takes some luster off the first fight and Toby’s incredible Sub and W.
He's no Hendo to Bellator.
He’s really bringing that much buzz to Bellator?
by snakecharmer1340 on Mar 17, 2010 3:23 PM EDT reply actions
Some, but not a heck of a lot IMO. When it comes to Belator, I assume only hardcores are watching. Roger, despite being on the cover of SI, isn’t the biggest name.
I don't want to lick any butt. - GSP
Bellator is a hardcore fan promotion like WEC.
by snakecharmer1340 on Mar 17, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes.
Roger is shockingly popular to casuals. His marketability is one of the biggest divides between the core and casual fans.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
Thanks for setting this up:
The dude is a celebrity amongst casuals and people who don’t normally follow MMA. Good looks and charisma go a long way, especially combined with his back story and the fact that he is incapable of being in boring fight. Even being frozen out on his contract for the better part of a year and catching two losses in a row, he’s still a star.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
Roger Huerta has demands for his legions of fans.
by snakecharmer1340 on Mar 17, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I myself don’t hear to many casual fans ask or talk about Huerta. He also has never been a ratings draw eather. Maybe in the Hispanic community he is well known I just don’t know ? All in all I don’t think its a loss at all for the UFC. If any thing his stock is down after the 2 back to back L’s. And lets not forget sure he has a nice record but his biggest win to date is still Clay Guida.
I'm Mexican. Nobody knows him on spanish tv. They just don't.
They’ll stick him on Telemundo to do interviews on sports shows but women don’t watch those because they’re soccer shows.
by snakecharmer1340 on Mar 17, 2010 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Most of my casual fan friends are huge Huerta fans because he is an exciting guy with a good look. I don’t know that I’d give him $250k as a signing bonus. But still…
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by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 17, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
So I guess that proves he's not taking a massive paycut
Who was it in the comments when is signing was announced that they thought he could make more in the UFC? Well I guess the answer is nope now.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
…he still makes 250k + 10k = 260k (plus endorsements, minus training camp).
by HarmlessNinja on Mar 17, 2010 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Seung Hwan Bang
Any news on him? I thought he signed with Bellator last year, could he be the last LW to participate?
Nope...
Pat Curran was the 8th guy.
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by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 17, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I can see some major value in Roger in Bellator but there are some questions.....
If Roger can win this tourney and be their 155lb champ it could be huge for Bellator because he is so marketable. He’s an action fighter with movie star looks and he’s great on the mic.
However, I’m under the impression that the Latino market Bellator is after wouldn’t warm up to Roger’s clean cut image. I live in an area where there aren’t any Latinos nor do I know any personally. It seems the latino boxing fans like the boxers with the tough guy image (eg: Mayorga etc.)
Anyone have any insight on how Roger will be accepted by the latino fans?
It’s not “looks” or being “clean cut” it’s entirely about fighting style and “heart” that have always driven the Latino market. DLH wasn’t disliked because he was a “pretty boy” he was disliked because he didn’t “fight like a Mexican.” Roger’s style is actually pretty perfect for the market. He presses forward and is always looking to finish.
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by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 17, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
DLH also lost points for being born on the wrong side of the boarder.
And Roger was born in central america (I think, too lazy to look up where).
Mexican fight fans have serious national pride. It’s well recognized in boxing, plus Miguel Torres talked in some interview somewhere about how Mexican American fighters don’t get automatic support from Mexican fans.
(But please correct me if I’m wrong here, I’m anything but an expert here)
It’s true to an extent. But Mexican fans will also become fans of people that display the style they appreciate.
Most Mexican boxing fans love Pacquiao because he A) fought and beat their stars and B) did so in a way that they appreciate.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
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by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 17, 2010 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
he's got lawyers doing his negotiating...
He might as well be a part of M1. If he’s giving 15% to his lawyer — his lawyer won’t give a shit if huerta never fights again, if he can’t bring in at least $30,000 — it’s like a magic number for all lawyers. That means huerta would need to be getting at least, $200k.
It’s usually reserved for top tier atheletes to have lawyers actually involved in the negotiations.
Faber, Florian, Nick Diaz, 'Mayhem', Mousasi, Fedor
Agents are typically lawyers, not always though. Its a good idea to have someone do the deal for you. Your job is to be a fighter, not a contract negotiator.
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
sure...
but there’s a difference between someone verifying that the agreement matches up with the contract, and someone who wants, for example, a certain percentage of all the revenue that bellator makes. If he really has lawyers (plural) AND an agent involved in this, clearly he is doing more than making sure he isn’t tricked into signing something he didn’t agree to. Lawyers are good at ferreting out how much revenue Bellator stands to make and his agent is probably explaining why huerta is going to be the one who brings it in.
Faber, Florian, Nick Diaz, 'Mayhem', Mousasi, Fedor
Inverse of Fedor's Situation
Huge difference b/w giving 15% to a lawyer, and Fedor owning 20% of M-1.
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