Roger Huerta is making a gig mistake
By Brandt DeLorenzo on Jan 10, 2009
I think that most of us can agree that most of the athletes in MMA were destined for years to make a living through fighting. Don’t get be wrong, there are MMA fighters who have had prior jobs as policemen, wrestlers, or teachers before becoming successful mixed martial artists. If we’ve learned anything about mainstream MMA, it’s that MMA fighters who gain their fame from fighting should usually stick in the fight game for a little while.
So it’s surprising for to hear that Roger Huerta, one of the big up and coming fighters in 2007 and 2008, has decided to neglect his UFC contract to pursue acting. Another MMA fighter moving to acting? What happened when Randy Couture stopped fighting and began acting? His acting career didn’t take him much farther than a bad action movie and he returned to the UFC only to immediately relinquish his belt to an ex-WWE star.
Here’s a quote from Sherdog about the situation:
The popular lightweight has turned down a new five-fight contract with the UFC to pursue a career in acting in 2009. Huerta has one more fight on his current contract with the UFC that will see him back in the Octagon some time before December. After that, Huerta said he’d re-evaluate his options.
“I’m not burned out [with fighting],” said Huerta. “I have one fight left with the UFC and I want to honor that. As soon as they tell me to fight, I’ll fight my last fight on the contract.”
After getting bit by the bug last summer shooting a role in the film “Tekken,” Huerta said the timing felt right to tackle a wholly different challenge.
It’s kinda sad that the lure of big money from bad action movies that lured Couture away from fighting is the same thing grabbing a fighter who once graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. It’s not even that Huerta was on a downturn or nearing the end of his career. The 20-2 fighter suffered his first loss in over four years by decision against another well-rounded up and coming lightweight Kenny Florian at UFC 87.
It’s a shame to watch him walk away after his fights with Clay Guida and Florian because the only substantial gripes publicly aired by Huerta were those of the financial type. The kind that start or end with something like, “I’m not being paid enough for what I do.” Well Roger, I think I should get paid more for what I do, but I’m not about to drop my highly successful career to pursue a random acting gig. And after watching history repeat itself with once highly successful UFC fighters, like Couture and Evan Tanner, failing at their comeback attempts, neither should you.
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I would put money that he will fight somewhere in 2010, if not before.
I don’t know if Huerta’s making a mistake, you never know. He may have decent roles lined up that has nothing to do with fighting. Probably not. But seriously, if he’s able to make a living continuing training, sparring, pursuing acting, modeling, and maybe conducting seminars then why not. I’m sure his UFC pay rate had a lot to do with his decision, maybe he can make more money else where. Reportedly some fighters make more money outside of their day gig.
2010 sound right.
I’m not the biggest Couture fan but failed comeback attempt? He never really left. He performed well enough against the younger, stronger, bigger Brock to be considered a success. No? Randy made the fight very competitive.
It’s just disappointing to see him walk away as his only loss in the UFC was against Joe Florian, another great lightweight. Huerta shouldn’t be ashamed of his loss or his pay considering only a few in the UFC make bank while everyone else gets working wages. Sure, you can always make some money with action movies, but as a young fighter, the cage is where he should be. Maybe it was all a lie to get out and fight elsewhere…
I like Randy Couture (along with 99.9% of all MMA fans) but I think he’s getting to the point where he’s made so much money outside of the cage that he’ll never be 100% devoted to fighting. The guy has gyms, clothing lines, and enough recognition to get him wherever he wants to go. But this different between him and Huerta is that Couture has been well-known and respected for many many years and he can use his name to get whatever he needs.
Huerta is very delusional IF he thinks his name holds any real weight outside of the MMA or better yet the UFC. His hype is due in large part to Leonard Garcia, Clay Guida and the UFC marketing machine. I mention Garcia and Guida, because great fights are created by two active performers NOT only the winner. Florian just exposed his lack of technique. Huerta-Guida II would be sweet!!
Some one needs to inform Huerta that Tekken will not crack $100 million at the box office. I doubt it will crack $50 in its first 3 weeks. According to IMDB.com Cung Le appears to be work. Huerta is not even listed for Tekken. So yeah, it may be a mistake but with the right agent and manager he can have a career that surpasses former NBA champion John Salley.
So you know Dana will look at Huerta’s manager with a smirk in 2010 and state, “Do you really think I’m going to f*ckin offa your f*ckin wanna-be Hollywood boy the same amount of f*ckin money he turned down back in 2009?!!? Do you know how many f*ckin lightweight and f*ckin welterweight stars we have now?!!?”
It’s great to pursue your dreams and I encourage that, but I hope he knows what he’s doing because if he’s wrong…