Bellator Signs Former UFC Lightweight Prospect

[Valetudo]

Credit:MMAWeekly.com

The waiting game for Roger Huerta's fighting future is finally over.

The former UFC lightweight has signed a new deal that will see him compete in Bellator Fighting Championships starting this year, as announced by the promotion on Monday.

Huerta was last seen by MMA fans competing in the UFC last September, where he lost a split decision to Gray Maynard. It was the second consecutive loss for Huerta after dropping a fight to Kenny Florian as well, but previous to those two bouts he had won 16 fights in a row with one no contest.

His next stop will be as one of eight competitors in the upcoming Bellator lightweight tournament that will kick off April 8, along with other fighters such as last year's runner-up Toby Imada, Chad Hinton, Ferrid Kheder, Mike Ricci, Janne Turlirinta, and Carey Varnier.

Always known for his aggressive style and fast pace, Huerta came to national prominence when he became the first ever MMA fighter to grace the cover of popular sports magazine, Sports Illustrated.

The fighter has also taken a turn in acting where he's been working in several roles, the most notable being an actor in the upcoming movie "Tekken" based on the popular video game.

[Truck]

Dude..even when Huerta loses, he looks great and makes the fight exciting. Why lose him but keep that tool bag Tim Sylvia so long??

[Valetudo]

The UFC tried to keep him, but at the time he thought he wanted to get into acting and modeling. I think Bellator has a good thing going for them and I look for them to pass Strikeforce as the #2 promotion eventually. They do the tournament style "season" with the eventual winner earning a $100K payday and a title. Each victory is worth $25K and the fighters compete once a month for the first 3 fights with a 3 month layoff to tend to any injuries and to get a full camp in for the title fight. If Huerta does win the tournament he earns a shot at last years Lightweight winner Eddie Alvarez and that is a very exciting fight.

Last year saw Bellator crown champions in 4 weight classes:

Hector Lombard-Middleweight
Lyman Good-Welterweight
Eddie Alvarez-Lightweight
Joe Soto-Featherweight

[Truck]

I want to see an Old School UFC PPV tourny or Frand Prix type tourny again. Open weight classes. Crown one man the baddest of the bad. Would you be down for that?