Roger Huerta said hes found the will to fight again.
Huerta, who passed on a five-fight renewal contract with the UFC last January to pursue a second career in acting, said his split-decision loss to Gray Maynard last Wednesday has re-ignited his competitive fire.
I think it could have gone either way and its my fault I let it go to the judges and I cant go out like that, Huerta told Sherdog.com Sunday. I cant go out with two losses in a row. I dont think Im going to call it quits anytime soon.
The popular bilingual fighter was heavily promoted by the UFC in 2007 and 2008, especially after he became the first mixed martial artist to ever appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated following his dynamo performance against Leonard Garcia at UFC 69.
However, the 26-year-old lightweight opted not to re-sign with the promotion earlier this year in favor of acting opportunities, he said. Huerta completed the last fight on his existing contract at UFC Fight Night 19 on Sept. 16.
In recent months, fighters like Randy Couture, Cung Le, and Quinton Rampage Jackson have all juggled movie roles and their fighting careers with mixed results.
Though some might consider Huertas acting proclamations as a way for him to not re-sign and become a free agent, Huerta said he was dead-set on leaving fighting behind until he entered the cage last week.
Im still open to acting, said Huerta. Hopefully we get something going with that, but Im not going to prioritize (acting) now. Ill still prioritize fighting. If the UFC wants me back, Id be willing to go back.
A return to the UFC is not impossible.
One common component of UFC contracts is a 60-day exclusive renegotiation period following a fighters last bout. If a new agreement is not reached within that time, the fighter can begin negotiations with other organizations. However, the UFC has the option to review and match any offer made by a rival outlet, sometimes for up to a year after the fighters contract expires.
We havent spoken to the UFC since last Wednesday, but wed definitely keep that option open, said Huertas manager Jeff Clark, of North County Fight Management.
Huerta said he hasnt taken the opportunity to consider other promotions, such as Strikeforce, just yet.
Ive been with the UFC since 2006. Theyre all that I know, but its up to my manager Jeff Clark to decide that for me, said Huerta.
Huertas love affair with acting began in the summer of 2008, when he landed the role of Miguel The Matador Rojo in the feature film adaptation of the popular video game Tekken, due out in theatres sometime this fall.
In January, Huerta announced hed signed a three-picture development deal with Lions Gate Films, whose latest titles have included Gamer starring Gerard Butler and Saw VI.
However, Huertas transition has been like much of the rest of the film business crippled by last years writers union strike -- slow.
We started looking at the things we were going to do with Lions Gate, said Huerta. Weve looked over some roles, but nothing that Ive wanted to sink my teeth into (yet).
In July, when he received the call from the UFC to face Maynard in September, Huerta said he dropped all other pursuits to focus on the bout. Huerta was pleased with the results.
I think this last fight was probably the best fight Ive ever had, the most focused Ive ever been, he said. I fought a very dangerous opponent, who is probably going to be the next number-one contender. I lost to the number-one contender before that as well. Im right in that mix, where a little tweak here and there (in training) and Im right in there.
Huerta, who relocated to Texas earlier this year, said the 13 months away from competition also gave him new perspective.
I went back to (trainer) Dave (Menne in Minnesota) and really just started paying attention to him finally after all these years, said Huerta. Ive really gotten into being good to my body as well, understanding that I only have one body. Your bodys like a vehicle, depreciating every year and if you treat it well, you slow down the process.
Lauded for his passion in the cage, Huerta said it took only the opportunity to tap into it again to know he wanted to keep competing.
I didnt know how crucial that Kimura was until I saw the video, said Huerta. I was going to let him break it. I really was. Thats the competitive blood in me. Ive never given up on anything, and I guess thats back in me now.
This is fantastic news. I'm a fan of Huerta's and was disappointed to see him leaving the cage when he had yet to accomplish everything I think he would, like a title shot. And also the fact that he did so well against future number 1 contender Gray Maynard with a year lay off just made his leaving that much more disappointing. Hell he could have possibly stolen that match by split decision, till Maynard decided to use his wrestling and keep him down and almost pop his shoulder out, which is very impressive on Huerta's part that he lasted through that and managed to scramble out. Most would have tapped from that.
Anyway, I'm not sure if the UFC will resign him. I'm pretty sure the UFC would resign him in a heart beat since he is one of their most popular and dominant LW's, and appeals to the Hispanic market where the UFC now airs. Problem is he still has obligations with lions gate. And after this recent Rampage issue, I'm not sure Dana wants to sign anyone who has movie obligations. Though I hope they sign him. And if they don't, well the UFC's lose is Strikeforce's gain. They seem fine with Cung doing movies and fighting whenever he wants, so I'm sure they'll be fine with Huerta doing it.
So what do you think? Do you think the UFC will resign Huerta? Would you like to see him keep fighting?