[Best80smovieRAD]

mmafighting.com



Roger Huerta entering the Bellator Fighting Championships' Season 2 lightweight tournament is a good example of a signing that makes sense for everyone involved.

For Bellator, it gets a likable, charismatic fighter who's a recognizable name to mixed martial arts fans -- definitely the most recognizable member of the lightweight bracket. For Huerta, he enters a tournament in which he'll be favored to win the six-figure jackpot. And for the UFC, he's not a particularly big loss.

Huerta's signing, which was first reported by MMA Junkie and is scheduled to be formally announced on Monday, has long been discussed as making sense because Huerta has ties to the Bellator organization and because he wasn't happy with his UFC contract. It also makes sense because Huerta is a good interview and Bellator tries hard to be media-friendly, and because Huerta speaks Spanish and Bellator has a TV deal with Telemundo.

Huerta won't make as much money upfront in Bellator as he could in the UFC, but if he wins the Season 2 tournament he'd make $100,000 and then get the chance to make more than that in a Season 3 title fight against Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez. Huerta made just $21,000 for his last UFC fight, a loss to Gray Maynard. The Bellator lightweight tournament won't be a cakewalk for Huerta, but he's certainly the favorite at the outset.

The departure of Huerta makes sense for the UFC, too. He's a fighter the UFC was happy to promote, but he's by no means a fighter the UFC desperately needed to keep, especially after he ruffled some feathers by complaining about his contract. The UFC can point to the facts that Huerta is on a two-fight losing streak, that he hasn't won a fight since 2007, and that only one of the six guys he beat in the Octagon (Clay Guida) is still in the UFC. This isn't a Dan Henderson situation; the UFC doesn't particularly mind seeing Huerta walk away.

All around, it's a good move. One of many good moves Bellator has made as it prepares for its second season.

[Loot]

The UFC can point to the facts that Huerta is on a two-fight losing streak, that he hasn't won a fight since 2007, and that only one of the six guys he beat in the Octagon (Clay Guida) is still in the UFC.

Damn. Well when you put it like that....

[Onion]

This is a DAMN good signing for Bellator. They must have thrown some serious coin his way, because Strikeforce wanted Roger, and they probably offered him a pretty decent contract. I hope this means we will get a Alvarez/Huerta matchup.

[Loot]

Originally Posted by Onion

This is a DAMN good signing for Bellator. They must have thrown some serious coin his way, because Strikeforce wanted Roger, and they probably offered him a pretty decent contract. I hope this means we will get a Alvarez/Huerta matchup.

Did I understand correctly? If Huerta wins the tourny, he gets a shot at the champ?

So that would be the winner of Alvarez/Neer?

[crazedwombat]

This just in. M1 signs a deal with Bellator, full co-promotion rights and no investment money up front but Fedor will fight a catch weight fight with Huerta at 205, Vadim insists it's a great match up and will be a competitive fight. Fedor will train hardcore on playground equipment.



One year later:

This just in. Bellator closes it's doors

[Cbear]

Originally Posted by crazedwombat

This just in. M1 signs a deal with Bellator, full co-promotion rights and no investment money up front but Fedor will fight a catch weight fight with Huerta at 205, Vadim insists it's a great match up and will be a competitive fight. Fedor will train hardcore on playground equipment.



One year later:

This just in. Bellator closes it's doors

Nicely done.

While I haven't actualy watched any Bellator since its on one of those channels you have to use ESP to mind link to tune in. But, they have a stellar highlight reel of finishes such as that inverted triangle last year.

[wgrapple]

Not a bad choice for Roger...Masvidal is probably the most talented guy he'd have to face but we'll see.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Roger back in the UFC at some point.

[PITTFOX]

Alvarez vs Huerta will be an excellent non stop fight until alvarez crumbles. He's like s poor mans Roger Huerta.