Gray Maynard locks on a kimura and a head scissors on Roger Huerta at UFN 19.

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Wednesday night's UFC lightweight bout between Gray Maynard vs Roger Huerta was a vintage three round war between two top contenders in one of the most stacked divisions in all of MMA. And yet, judging by the fan response here on BloodyElbow, it's not being appreciated for the great fight it was.

A lot of this is due to the fact that neither fighter is currently a fan favorite. Roger Huerta has burned up most of his goodwill with the fans by refusing to resign with the UFC, ostensibly because he is leaving fighting behind for an acting career (we'll see if he signs with a major movie studio or Bellator FC first).

His opponent, Gray Maynard is saddled with an undeserved reputation for being a lay and pray artist. Yes, he does have an excellent wrestling pedigree and yes he has used positional dominance to grind out a few wins. But Maynard showed at UFN 19 that he is well on his way to becoming an accomplished mixed martial artist who is mastering the different phases of the game.

First off, he consistently beat Roger Huerta to the punch, landing hard straight rights. It's true that Huerta was able to often get the advantage in longer exchanges in the first round, but in the second and third he adjusted his footwork and begun to clearly get the better of Huerta on the feet.

More impressive to me was the kimura he locked on to Huerta in the third round. Maynard didn't get the tap but that's because Roger Huerta is a tough, tough man who doesn't know when to quit.

What's more, Maynard wound up in a position more often seen in old catch-wrestling bouts than in jiu jitsu matches by catching Huerta in a head-scissors with his legs.

Here's some background on the Kimura:

Kimura (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), chicken wing/double wristlock (wrestling), or reverse keylock are terms used to specify a medial keylock known in judo as gyaku ude-garami (reverse arm entanglement) or simply as ude-garami. The application is similar to the americana, except that it is reversed. It needs some space behind the opponent to be effective, and can be applied from the side control or guard. Contrary to the americana, the opponent's wrist is grabbed with the hand on the same side, and the opposite arm is put on the back side the opponent's arm, and again grabbing the attacker's wrist and forming a figure-four. By controlling the opponent's body and cranking the arm away from the attacker, pressure is put on the shoulder joint, and depending on the angle, also the elbow joint (in some variations the opponent's arm is brought behind their back, resulting in a finishing position resembling that of the hammerlock outlined below). The kimura was named after the judoka Masahiko Kimura, who used it to defeat one of the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Hélio Gracie.

We'll get into the details of how Maynard locked the hold on and how Huerta escaped in the full entry, with lots of animated gifs.

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danawhiteufc: Phillipe Nover is sitting ringside and is 100 percent healthy.

Complete results after the jump. Photo via Sherdog.com.

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As with every major show, BloodyElbow.com will be here to bring you live results and commentary for UFC Fight Night 19: Melvin Guillard vs. Nate Diaz.  The card also features a fight between Gray Maynard and Roger Huerta. The live blog will start with the beginning of the Spike broadcast so make sure to make Bloody Elbow your home for this event.

As always we have our one rule: NO SPOILERS! In the interest of not ruining anything from the undercard that may make the broadcast we ask that you do not discuss the results of the undercard in the comments until either the broadcast ends or the fight makes the air.

So again, join us for the show and share your thoughts as the event unfolds.  And then, after the show, stick around the site as Mike Fagan live blogs the season premier of The Ultimate Fighter featuring Kimbo Slice.

It's 8:00pm and we're live!

Tim Credeur vs. Nate Quarry - Round 1 -Tim is working from the outside with jabs and kicks.  Nice body kick by Credeur.  Overhand right by Quarry lands hard.  Tim is being aggressive and using the long strikes and body kicks still.  Right hand by Nate but Tim is still more or less controlling the round.  Jab/low kick combo by Tim.  Right hand catches Quarry hard.  More two and three punch combos by Credeur but he gets clipped hard.  Now Credeur lands some solid shots to the face.  Tim with a punch that catches Quarry on the back of the head a little bit and drops him.  Immediately Credeur takes Quarry's back and is trying to sink the choke.  They scramble and Nate is able to get up.  Quarry is stunned badly still and is bleeding.  Low kick by Nate.  Quarry is just SO slow here and he got beat bell to bell.  Brent Brookhouse scores the round 10-8 Credeur, Mike Fagan scores the round 10-9 Credeur.  Round 2 - Quarry still looks stunned.  Credeur is unloading and blistering Quarry.  OH!  Shot from Quarry drops Credeur!  Nate flurries from the top and is now in Tim's guard.  Nate is sitting on top landing shots now.  Quarry is doing a good job staying busy enough to not let Tim work for a sub.  Armbar attempt by Tim and Quarry avoids easily.  Just more Quarry mashing from the top now.  Now Credeur is avoiding damage well.  Brent Brookhouse scores the round 10-9 Quarry (19-18 Credeur), Mike Fagan scores the round 10-9 Quarry (19-19).  Round 3 -Tim comes out aggressive standing again.  Credeur with a huge flurry again and he is just busting Nate up standing.  AGAIN!  NATE LANDS A HUGE RIGHT HAND!  Tim drops and Quarry is on top.  Scramble and they stand and Credeur is rocked.  Quarry is landing big shots again.  Tim is throwing back and Quarry is landing hard.  Tim finally collapses to "pull guard" and Quarry follows him down. Tim spins for a leg lock but can't finish.  The fighters are stood up with 20 seconds to go.  Head kick by Credeur and the round (and fight) come to a close.  Brent Brookhouse scores the round 10-9 Quarry (28-28 Draw), Mike Fagan scores the round 10-9 Quarry (29-28 Quarry).  Official Scorecards: 29-28, 29-27, 29-28 all for Nate Quarry.  Nate Quarry wins by unanimous decision.

Carlos Condit vs. Jake Ellenberger - Round 1 -Condit throws a kick, Ellenberger takes him down off of it and gets on top.  Ellenberger is on top not doing a whole lot but defending Condit trying to work his legs up.  They stand back up after a scramble and Jake lands a right hand.  Ellenberger lands some huge shots and Condit drops.  Ellenberger tries to lock up a D'arce and Condit stands back up.  Big knee by Condit and AGAIN Ellenberger blasts him and Condit falls again.  Now he survives and works for a takedown.  Ellenberger with a guillotine attempt and somehow Condit survives.  Leon Roberts is a great ref.  Huge head kick by Ellenberger and Condit is throwing back.  Condit works the body and now drops down for a single leg.  The round ends.  Brent Brookhouse scores it 10-8 Ellenberger, Mike Fagan scores it 10-9 Ellenberger. Round 2 - Big double by Jake and he is on top.  Condit working the rubber guard.  Condit now working side to side from the bottom looking to catch an arm.  Scramble to the feet and Ellenberger gets another takedown.  Condit looking for a kimura.  He gets it and uses it to sweep into mount and he is teeing off.  Ellenberger tries to regain guard but Condit back to mount.  Now Condit tries to take the back and Ellenberger reverses into his guard.  I've got this a Condit round as all Ellenberger did was get takedowns he didn't do anything with.  Brent Brookhouse scores the round 10-9 Condit (19-18 Ellenberger), Mike Fagan scores the round 10-9 Ellenberger.  Round 3 - Head kick by Condit is blocked.  Now Ellenberger with the takedown off the kick.  Nice elbow by Ellenberger.  Condit pushes off and stands back up.  Condit with a takedown and Ellenberger grabs a deep guillotine but Condit is out and on top.  Condit now looking for a choke.  He's riding out on top pounding on the very tired Jake Ellenberger now.  Now Condit takes the back.  Ellenberger spins out as Condit goes for a pointless armbar rather than keeping position.  They're back to the feet and Ellenberger has a takedown stuffed and Condit with a bunch of elbows.  Now taking the back again.  Condit firing away as the round ends.  Brent Brookhouse scores the round 10-9 Condit (28-28 draw), Mike Fagan scores the round 10-9 Condit (29-28 Condit).  Official Scorecards: 29-28 Condit, 29-28 Ellenberger, 29-28 Condit.  Carlos Condit wins by split decision.

Roger Huerta vs. Gray Maynard - Round 1 -Roger throws a combo and misses and then a low kick.  Gray is trying to close distance.  Huerta chant from the crowd.  Right hands exchanged.  Right hand by Maynard stings Huerta a little bit.  Huerta has yet to really land, and as I type that he lands a glancing right hand.  Left hand by Maynard and then a right.  Left hand by Maynard.  Flurry by Roger and Gray is hurt and backpedaling.  Shot from Maynard and Roger shakes it off.  Another flurry lands for Roger.  Shot by Maynard is stuffed.  Huerta continues to fight off the takedown attempt well and tees off with some punches that land.  The round ends.  Brent Brookhouse scores the round 10-9 Huerta, Mike Fagan scores the round 10-9 Maynard.  Round 2 - Huerta with the low kick.  Big left by Gray.  Another shot lands for Maynard.  Counter left by Gray.  Maynard counters the leg kick again.  Roger coming in landing a few punches.  Jab knocks an off balance Huerta down.  Leg kick lands for Huerta.  Huerta comes in with a flurry.  Right hand by Maynard.  Leg kick again by Huerta.  Huerta pushes him to the cage and then lands two punches before getting countered.  Another leg kick by Huerta.  Another right by Maynard.  it's getting kind of "pattern-y"  Left hand by Huerta lands solid.  Roger lands some combos to end the round.  Brent Brookhouse scores the round 10-9 Maynard (19-19).  Mike Fagan scores the round 10-9 Maynard (20-18 Maynard).  Round 3 - Left hand lands by Maynard.  Roger lands a flurry and shakes off a half-attempt at a takedown.  Maynard is bleeding.  Takedown by Maynard and Huerta is looking for an arm.  Roger gets up and Gray takes him back down.  Roger avoiding any real damage.  Roger stands back up and Maynard takes him back down.  Maynard grabs a kimura and it is DEEP.  Huerta won't tap and rolls over onto top position.  They're standing for the final 10 seconds and huerta lands a knee.  The round ends.  Brent Brookhouse had it 10-9 Maynard (29-28 Maynard), Mike Fagan had it 10-9 Maynard (30-27 Maynard).  Official Scorecards:29-28 Huerta, 30-27 Maynard, 30-27 Maynard.  Gray Maynard wins by split decision.

Melvin Guillard vs. Nate Diaz - Round 1 - Melvin drops him with a big left right away and tells Nate to stand back up.  Melvin evading Nate's shots with his head movement.  Amazingly Nate decides all the pre fight "I want to stand" talk is meaningless and gets a takedown.  Melvin scoots up the cage and lands a great throw.  Stands up and Nate starts talking trash.  Another takedown by Nate and Melvin is sitting up against the cage.  Melvin stands up using the cage again.  Nate's eye is bleeding pretty badly.  Lead uppercut is missed by Melvin.  Right hand by Melvin is solid.  Melvin with another punch and keeps using head movement to avoid Nate's strikes.  Nate can't find him with his punches and a body kick by Guillard.  The round comes to a close.  Brent Brookhouse had it 10-9 Guillard, Mike Fagan had it 10-9 Guillard.  Round 2 - Big body kick by Melvin.  Diaz clinches up.  Melvin with a throw takedown and then makes Nate stand back up.  Left hand by Melvin.  Two punch combo by Nate.   Melvin jumps in with a punch and an ill advised trip to the ground.  Guillotine is deep by Nate and Melvin has to tap out.  Nate Diaz wins by submission (guillotine choke), round 2.

UFC Fight Night 19
Cox Convention Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Main card:

Nate Diaz vs. Melvin Guillard

Luke Thomas: Tibau isn't the guard player that Diaz is nor does he even have the same kind of guard. Guillard might look good early, but he'll eventually clinch, get uchi-mata'd and submitted. Diaz by submission, round 2.

Kid Nate: For as much as both guys are brash loudmouths and veterans of TUF, it's a classic of asymmetrical warfare here. Guilliard is a power puncher who looks for the KO. Diaz is a boxer who looks to land a lot of shots without over committing to any single one. Look for him to use his reach advantage against Guillard on the feet. On the ground it's wrestler vs jiu jitsu artist. Unfortunately for Melvin, he's got a track record of finding himself getting submitted. Diaz by submission.

Brent Brookhouse: Maybe I'm wrong here, maybe I'm not.  But I think Diaz really DOES want a fight where he can stand and bang.  While Melvin has some clear problems on the ground, he does have rare power for 155 pounds.  Every time I play the fight out in my head it ends with Diaz getting clipped.  Melvin Guillard by KO, round 1.

Mike Fagan: I have a hard time seeing Guillard finding a victory here. He shocked me in the Tibau fight, though most of what I heard is that he got a bit of a gift decision (I still haven't watch the fight).  Nate is a Diaz, leaving Guillard with a difficult test to KO him.  And if it hits the floor, I see it being over in very quick order.  Nate Diaz by submission, round 2.

Chris Nelson: I don't think this is a total lost cause for Melvin, since I'm not quite as sold on Nate's chin as I am his big bro's. Much like Nick, I expect Nate to keep his range and paw away at Guillard before taking him down and... well, you know. My "Frank Shamrock's Key to Victory" for Nate Diaz: the triangle choke. Diaz via submission, round 1.

Eugene Schelfaut: I do not have faith in Guillard's ability to fend off the submission attempts of Diaz. Guillard will zero in on the KO, and that will allow Diaz to get him to the ground. Nate Diaz via submission, round 1.

Nick Thomas:  Once this goes to the ground, it's game over for Guillard. Diaz by submission.  

Leland Roling: I'm a sucker for explosive strikers, just look at my obsession with Melvin Manhoef. But I know my limits. While I was surprised that Guillard was able to hang with Tibau on the floor, Diaz presents an unique challenge in that he also combines length with his jiu-jitsu. He'll also have a lengthy reach advantage standing to thwart Guillard, and his name is always synonymous with being one tough guy to finish. Guillard could eek out a decision, but Diaz should end this one on the floor. Nate Diaz via submission, Round 1.



Gray Maynard vs. Roger Huerta

Luke Thomas: I don't really know what to say here. Huerta's faced strong wrestlers before and managed to do ok. But the controlling, tight-waist kind of wrestler like Maynard is something I can't see Huerta ever having an answer for. Even with a well-timed knee on a shot, Maynard is strong enough and durable enough to spider web Huerta en route to a decision. Maynard by decision.

Kid Nate: Roger Huerta is the epitome of the jack of all trades/master of none approach to MMA. He's good at every aspect but not great at any single one. Gray Maynard on the other hand is a powerhouse wrestler who's looking to fill out his game. Huerta will look to make this a chaotic series of scrambles to capitalize on his ability to segue from kickboxing to wrestling to BJJ. Maynard will look to overwhelm Huerta. I think he'll do it too. Maynard by decision.

Brent Brookhouse: Everything I've heard has Roger in the gym training like crazy for the past 3 months.  I really don't buy into the "what's his motivation" line of thinking because I am pretty confident that if Roger wins he'll be sticking around the UFC for quite some time with a fat new contract.  The truth is, the Huerta we saw in the Florian fight was the product of the wrong kind of training that got him away from what he does best.  I don't think Gray can finish Huerta here which makes Roger a very live threat.  And I think he takes this in dramatic fashion.  Roger Huerta by TKO, round 3.

Mike Fagan: I don't do gambling writeups for these, so if you want to lay some cash, I like Maynard up until -500, and I still like him at that price.  Maynard should win the fight anyway, but with Huerta's year-plus off and questionable motivation, it becomes a much wider gap.  I see this as a nice little test for Gray before he takes on someone like Kenny Florian.  Gray Maynard by decision.

Chris Nelson: I haven't talked to anybody who's giving Huerta much of a chance in this one, and the reasons why are pretty clear. Not only will the UFC's one-time poster boy to-be have to contend with over a year's worth of ring rust, but he'll have one of the toughest lightweights to gameplan against all over him for three rounds. Maynard via TKO, round 3.

Eugene Schelfaut: Perhaps Huerta will be able to scramble to his feet through the course of this fight; however, the opportunity for him to score in between Maynard takedowns is small. Maynard will control this fight, but I would not hazard to predict a finish. Gray Maynard via decision.

Nick Thomas: Huerta is coming in with a years ring rust. Maynard is going to score the takedown at will and ground and pound Huerta for a stoppage. Maynard by TKO.

Leland Roling: I'm going to go out on a limb in this fight. Training with Jake Dietchler and Dave Menne, I think Huerta may have made a solid choice in a training camp for this fight. While Menne doesn't have the usual names for Huerta to train with, I still love Huerta's pace and well-roundedness. It's tough for me to see Roger finishing Gray, and Gray smothering Huerta for three rounds is much more likely, but I have a hunch that this may go down a bit differently than that. What the hell... Roger Huerta via decision.



Carlos Condit vs. Jake Ellenberger

Luke Thomas: Ellenberger is likely to give Condit fits in the early going. He's got blistering power early on, strong offensive hip attacks, decent submission defense and physical power. Those are all traits that give Condit problems. That being said, Condit is simply a notch about Ellenberger in terms of submission attacks and kickboxing. The finisher in Condit weathers an early storm to eventually take control and stop the Team Quest product. Condit by submission, round 2.

Kid Nate: Should be a return to his WEC days for Condit. Ellenberger is a tough guy, but he topped out in the middle of the IFL's relatively weak welterweight division and shouldn't offer Condit anything he can't handle. Condit by submission.

Brent Brookhouse: Both at first glance and after deeper examination I don't see any way Ellenberger really presents much of a threat.  Condit probably can't pull off a submission here but he can win striking.  Carlos Condit by TKO, round 1.

Mike Fagan: If you never heard of Carlos Condit, you got a good look at him with Martin Kampmann.  Kampmann ultimately won the fight, justly in my view, but I wouldn't have been upset if the decision went the other way.  And Kampmann's one of the top guys at 170, if you ask me.  Condit should get back on track with Ellenberger, and look for him to take on a bigger name in the future.  Carlos Condit by TKO, round 2.

Chris Nelson: In June, I saw Jake Ellenberger knock Brazilian veteran Marcelo Alfaya out cold in under a minute after flying across the country to take the fight on less than 24 hours notice. I was impressed by his performance and his demeanor after the fight, and had a hunch we'd be seeing him in the UFC before long. When I heard Ellenberger was filling in for Chris Lytle here, my first thought was that he could shock everyone and upset Condit in the same way. I've since come to my senses. Condit via submission, round 1.

Eugene Schelfaut: Condit will come out aggressive and put Ellenberger quickly into the deep. If Carlos finds himself in bottom position, that is by no means the end of his threat. Carlos Condit via TKO, round 1.

Nick Thomas: I can't pick Ellenberger because he took this fight on such short notice. Condit by submission.

Leland Roling: Ellenberger isn't exactly a squash opponent here, and I think a lot of people are sitting on Condit because it seems like he is just way better. Ellenberger is no joke, and he has the wrestling ability coupled with the jiu-jitsu to avoid Condit's submissions. I think Condit's ultimate advantage is in his dynamic striking abilities, and for that reason... I'll go with Condit. Carlos Condit via TKO, Round 2.



Nate Quarry vs. Tim Credeur

Luke Thomas: Against a bigger, more physical fighter with KO power, top-flight experience and excellent takedown defense, I just don't see how the BJJ black belt in Credeur can win here. Quarry by decision.

Kid Nate: I just don't see how Credeur wins this. He's no Demia Maia and shouldn't be able to force Quarry to the ground. Quarry's the definitive middleweight gatekeeper in the UFC. He'll punish the guys he should beat and get embarrassed by the real contenders. Creduer is no contender. Quarry by TKO.

Brent Brookhouse: This is kind of a throwaway fight designed to keep Quarry around in his gatekeeper role.  Quarry by TKO, round 1.

Chris Nelson: Quarry = lock of the night? Nate says he's been working on his "old man strength," and I think that's exactly what he'll use to get inside on the lankier Credeur, take him down and blast him early on. Quarry via TKO, round 1.

Eugene Schelfaut: Credeur will have to win the fight on the ground, however he will eat more than he can handle trying to get it there. It doesn't fill me with any amount of excitement, but Nate Quarry via TKO, round 2.

Nick Thomas: Credeur has been looking impressive lately. But as long as Quarry can keep this off the ground, he'll win this standing. Quarry by decision.

Leland Roling: Quarry has some heavy hands that will likely connect with Credeur's jaw at some point during this fight. Credeur has to take this fight to the ground, and I don't see Quarry easily being put into danger here. Quarry should sprawl, wreck Credeur a few times, and finish him. Nate Quarry via TKO, Round 2.

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Nate Diaz weighed a half pound over the 156-pound limit on his initial weigh-in attempt: (Click here for the video)

Main Card Bouts:
Nate Diaz (156)* vs. Melvin Guillard (155)
Roger Huerta (156) vs. Gray Maynard (155.5)
Carlos Condit (171) vs. Jake Ellenberger (170.5)
Nate Quarry (184) vs. Tim Credeur (186)

Preliminary Card Bouts:
Steve Cantwell (206) vs. Brian Stann (205.5)
Chris Wilson (171) vs. Mike Pyle (170)
Jay Silva (185) vs. CB Dollaway (186)
Sam Stout (156) vs. Phillipe Nover (155.5)
Jeremy Stephens (155.5) vs. Justin Buchholz (155.5)
Brock Larson (171) vs. Mike Pierce (169.5)
Ryan Jensen (186) vs. Steve Steinbeiss (185.5)

* - Nate Diaz made weight on his second attempt.

The live blog will start with the beginning of the SPIKE broadcast on Wednesday (8pm ET) so make sure to make Bloody Elbow your home for this event.

In the main event of the evening at UFC Fight Night 19 taking place on Wednesday night from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, The Ultimate Fighter season 5 winner Nate Diaz (10-4) will take on the explosive, heavy-handed striker Melvin Guillard (22-7-2-1) in a lightweight match-up. While Gray Maynard vs. Roger Huerta will garner a little more attention than this bout, the fight is an interesting style match-up for both fighters. Diaz has the Brazilian jiu-jitsu credentials to give Guillard massive problems on the floor, but in typical Diaz fashion -- he'll likely want to put on a show in the stand-up game. Guillard is one of the most explosive strikers in the lightweight division, so he could present an unique challenge for Diaz if Diaz chooses to try to challenge himself with Guillard's power punching.

Diaz is coming off two straight losses dropping a split decision to Clay Guida at UFC 94 and being handled by a rejuvenated Joe Stevenson at The Ultimate Fighter season 9 Finale. Diaz was exposed as a fighter who, much like his brother Nick, has problems dealing with top controlling wrestlers who can avoid submissions. He'll need to bounce back against Guillard in impressive fashion to begin making an ascension back toward the more relevant battles.

Melvin Guillard seems to be a fighter that the UFC remains in love with despite his sketchy track record. He's been a poster boy for impressive knockouts in the UFC as he's scored brutal victories over Dennis Siver, Gabe Ruediger, Rick Davis, and Marcus Davis.  In eleven fights within the promotion, Guillard has went 8-3 with losses to Rich Clementi, Joe Stevenson, and Josh Neer. Following his loss to Stevenson at UFN 9, Guillard test positive for cocaine and was suspended for 8 months and fined $2,100 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. In January 2009, Guillard was released from prison after serving six months for possession of cocaine. He came back to the UFC five months later in June with a split decision upset victory over Gleison Tibau.

Diaz trains out of Cesar Gracie jiu-jitsu with his brother Nick Diaz along with training partners Jake Shields and Gilbert Melendez. The camp has a strong background in jiu-jitsu, but it should have the training partners to mask wrestlers, something both Diaz brothers have failed at stopping in the past. Nate, much like his brother, loves to stand and bang, and he uses the services of boxing coach Richard Perez along with his brother Nick to hone those skills. Diaz has been stating he'd like someone to stand in front of him, something Guillard is more than willing to do.

Guillard has been training down in Texas with Saul Soliz at Metro Fight Club where Ricco Rodriguez is a grappling instructor. Guillard has gained some more depth to his ground game as he is a blue belt under Ricco, but he's still primarily looking to crush opponents with his punching power. The camp also houses training partners Carlo Prater and Lee King. Guillard does have a Lousiana State wrestling championship under his belt, so he'll at least have the ability to give Diaz some danger from the top. He's shown that he's evolving as a fighter as well as he did manage to defeat a tough BJJ fighter in Gleison Tibau.

Overall, this is a tough fight to pick. Guillard has shown improvement on the ground, and he is learning techniques to regain positions and avoid damage on the floor. I think the real problem is Diaz's length and active guard. It'll ultimately help him sink some submission holds on the smaller Guillard in this fight. If Nate wants to stand with Guillard, his reach will be a nice advantage, but can he avoid Guillard's power? It should be an interesting main event to a respectable free card on SpikeTV.

"There's so much that goes behind these movies that I respect these guys so much now," said Huerta. "Believe me, its either one or the other, I think that as of right now, if I want to do this movie thing I have to devote the energy (to acting) that I've put in to MMA.

"Let’s say I were to give the entertainment world, 50% of my attention and then the other 50% goes to MMA training and I face an opponent like Gray Maynard, and I get my head knocked off. I'd be endangering myself doing that."

Roger Huerta talking to Sherdog about his career dilemmas.

One of the most anticipated bouts taking place on the UFC Fight Night 19 main card will be a lightweight battle between Xtreme Couture-trained wrestler and The Ultimate Fighter season 5 contestant Gray Maynard (7-0-0-1) and lightweight standout Roger "El Matador" Huerta (20-2-1-1). The bout will be the last on Huerta's current UFC contract, and he'll be moving on from fighting, for now, in order to pursue a career in acting. Unfortunately for him, the UFC has matched him up with one of their promising up-and-comers in the lightweight division in "The Bully". Maynard's abilities as being a smothering top control fighter coupled with improving stand-up can't bode well for Huerta's chances of escaping the promotional chains of the UFC with a win.

Huerta is 6-1 in the UFC with notable wins over Clay Guida and Leonard Garcia while he was fed unique challenges with Alberto Crane, Doug Evans, John Halverson, and Jason Dent over the span of roughly three years. Huerta was obviously being groomed as a potential draw if the UFC moved into Mexico, but he was also being labeled as the future of the lightweight division. Unfortunately, Kenny Florian dashed all hopes of a title run by frustrating Huerta for three rounds at UFC 87 in what many fans felt was a very lackluster performance from Huerta.

Maynard is currently undefeated with five of his seven wins taking place in the Octagon. His most impressive win came at UFC Fight Night 13 in which he upset Frankie Edgar via decision. He went on to defeat both Rich Clementi and Jim Miller via decision at UFC 90 and UFC 96 respectively, and his name is now being mentioned in regards to contendership if he manages to crush Huerta on Wednesday night.

Interestingly enough, Huerta has gone back to his roots in Minnesota as he's isolated himself in a total media blackout. He hasn't really watched television, surfed the internet, or done the loads of media lead-up interviews that normally come with such a high profile fight. He's even requested no pre-fight media for this battle. He's went back to training with former UFC champ Dave Menne and strength and conditioning coach Justin Hagen at Northway Gym in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

While the training partners that Huerta has been using don't have the high profile names of Xtreme Couture, Brandon Girtz, Tony Sims, and Jake Deitchler are easily giving Huerta some challenges, and Dietchler is probably the ultimate training partner when it comes to bringing in one of the highest level wrestlers in the country to prepare you for Maynard's wrestling. Dietchler is a three-time Minnesota State champion, 2008-2009 Olympic Trials champion, second place at 2008 Nationals, and he's a member of the U.S. Greco-Roman squad. The 19-year-old is currently ranked #1 at 145.5 lbs. in the nation.

HT: Thomas Gerbasi (UFC.com)

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There’s nothing I would really change up going up against (Huerta), and there’s probably only a couple of guys who I would change up a lot … not even a lot. Obviously against a guy like, maybe Penn, who is just — I mean, he’s dangerous. So you gotta have a plan and change up some stuff. But Huerta? He has heart. He has a lotta heart. But technically? I think he has more heart. He just kinda … man, he comes in, bop, bop, bop.

Gray Maynard talking to MMA Mania's Adam Wagner.