Huerta Lands in Bellator

While the UFC has invested considerable labor and energy in getting programming funneled to major Spanish-speaking markets and television stations, there is not yet the sense that the sport appeals to that demographic in quite the same way boxing incites their passion. MMA has not yet found its Julio Chavez.

Roger Huerta had his foot in the door. Talent and good looks got him exposure, including movie deals and a Sports Illustrated cover, but he couldn’t overcome the last few inches of adversity against Kenny Florian and Gray Maynard. He disappeared, uncertain about his focus in life and perhaps punished for complaining about his pay. Now Huerta is resurfacing in Bellator, the MMA promotion that found success on ESPN Deportes last year and intends to run on Telemundo this year.

Whether Huerta made the right decision in vacating the UFC depends on your impression of being a big fish in a small pond or a mid-sized one in a lake. He will probably be the beneficiary of a promotional push that doesn’t have to be interrupted by fights against top-shelf talent. (Huerta, tough as he is, can’t threaten off his back and would not have many answers for B.J. Penn or his numerous contenders.) If Huerta navigates the eight-man tournament, he could face 155-pound champion Eddie Alvarez, a fight that would draw attention outside of the norm for the promotion.

The UFC is inarguably the most prominent and respected fight league in the world, but that is no guarantee their methods or structure are a good fit for everyone. Strikeforce’s Cung Le and Frank Shamrock make good money that would evaporate in the UFC’s shark tank. Huerta is nowhere near as limited in ability, but the fact remains that there is a glass ceiling under every banner. Huerta bumped his head in Vegas, so he might feel it’s time to try his luck elsewhere.