Roger Huerta - I Want It More

Full Interview

Recapping With Roger Huerta - I Know I Want It More
by Brent Todd - 03-19-2010

Roger Huerta recently signed with Bellator to compete in their second season lightweight tournament.  His addition has sparked a lot of discussion after many had thought he would be signing with Strikeforce after the UFC.  MMA Recap's Brent Todd sat down with Huerta to discuss why he chose Bellator, his thoughts on the tournament, training in Thailand and more.

How'd you get into mixed martial arts?
One of my ex teammates at Oxford college.  I was wrestling up there.  He was into the amateur mma at the time.  We went to watch him one time to support him and I saw it and said I want to get into this you know.  So I did, and eventually it became a hobby / side job to help pay for my bills and student loans.

Was there any discussions with Strikeforce or DREAM or was it just Bellator?
Yes we were in talks with Strikeforce.  I let my manager Jeff Clark do all the discussions.  In the beginning we were leaning towards Strikeforce.  But then Jeff brought up the tournament format with Bellator and said you could fight four times this year.  Obviously three times in 12 weeks and then the fourth being a super fight with the current champion.  To me that in and of itself was like "Whoa".  It's going to be a tough road, a tough mountain to climb having to fight a fight each month but I believe I can do it.  So that's what really got me intrigued by them.  The ability to move up the ranks very quickly.

Any particular opponent that you want to face first in the tournament?
I don't know who my opponent is.  I would assume that they should know by now.  To tell you the truth, this is a tournament.  You can't look too much into what everyone else does and what their style is.  All I can do is prepare myself in all aspects of the game in mixed martial arts.  I need to train my butt off and to train to dictate the fight and the pace.  I need to bring the fight to them.  I am really focused on winning it.  I haven't looked too much at the other competitors.  Mentally I really don't care who's in this tournament.  I know that I am hungry, I know that I want it more.  That's the mindset I have going into this.

What part do you think could be a hindrance?
Anything can happen in any fight.  A cut could happen or an injury could take place.  Even if you win the fight you could sustain an injury that you have to take with you into the next fight.  The thing about the tournament is that all of us, especially myself, are looking to finish the fight as quick as possible with minimal injuries.

How do you think you match up with Alvarez?
I think we match up well.  He's one of those guys that is straight forward and doesn't back down.  When you got two bulls going at it that way you know fireworks will happen.  Bombs will be thrown from all different angles and the pace is going to be intense.  It would be an awesome fight for myself, him, and for the fans.

If you win the Bellator tournament, do you plan to stay with Bellator?  Is your contract for just this season or is it for longer?
The plan is to stay with Bellator and to be their champion.  Hopefully things go well with them.

Huerta talks about his career, training in Thailand and more in the full interview