| Roger Huerta | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1983-05-20)May 20, 1983 (age 42) Los Angeles, California, U.S.[1] |
| Other names | El Matador |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st) |
| Division | Lightweight (2003–2010, 2016–present) Welterweight (2011–2016) |
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Austin, Texas[2] |
| Rank | Black belt inBrazilian jiu-jitsu |
| Wrestling | NCAA Division IIIWrestling |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 40 |
| Wins | 24 |
| By knockout | 12 |
| By submission | 5 |
| By decision | 5 |
| By disqualification | 2 |
| Losses | 14 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Amateur record | |
| Total | 5 |
| Wins | 5 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Roger Huerta (born May 20, 1983) is an Americanmixed martial artist currently fighting in the lightweight division.[3][4] He initially gained exposure by competing in thelightweight division of theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC),Bellator Fighting Championships and laterONE Championship. The adversity of his childhood and early years, including his parents leaving him in two foreign countries, once during theSalvadoran Civil War, have been the subject of several publications.
Huerta had an arduous childhood with life continuing to be difficult throughout his teen years. Despite adversity, he has overcome many challenges, ultimately living what has been described as a "life that Hollywood producers make movies about".[5]
Born inLos Angeles, California on May 20, 1983 to Lydia, aSalvadoran, and Rogelio Huerta, aMexican, he spent the first six years of his life inDallas,Texas.[6] He had a happy childhood until his father became heavily involved in drugs and alcohol and began an affair with another woman that led to a separation with Lydia.[7][8]
Huerta's mother became physically abusive following her separation from Rogelio, and when Huerta came to school with bruises covering his body,Child Protective Services intervened, placing him in afoster home for a short time.[3][8] In 1990, Lydia lost the custody battle for Huerta and fled the United States with Huerta, age 7, to her parents' home inEl Salvador. Shortly upon arriving, Lydia abandoned Huerta leaving him in the care of his grandparents at the time of theSalvadoran Civil War.[3][8] She returned a year later only to leave him on his father's doorstep in Texas. That was the last time he saw his mother.[3][8] Huerta openly talks about the mental and physical abuse he endured from his father and stepmother respectively in that year. The next year he was relocated toMexico after his father caught his stepmother physically abusing him and lived with his father's parents who were impoverished.[3][8] They would often send him out into the streets selling picture frames to tourists to make money.[3][8] For a brief time, his father and stepmother came back into his life where they moved toPharr, Texas and enrolled him halfway through the year into 3rd grade, in addition to his stepmother resuming the cycle of abuse. At age 12 Huerta's father abandoned the family, and soon after, his stepmother kicked him out of the house.[3][8] He then lived on the streets for many years and survived by joining a youth gang.[3][8] He often slept in alleys and on rooftops, but was encouraged by his friends to remain in school where he could eat a provided breakfast and lunch.[3][8]
Huerta occasionally stayed with friends and just before his freshman year, his life began to turn around for the better. Maria King, his friend's mother, obtained legal custody of him and the three moved toAustin, Texas where he attendedDavid Crockett High School.[9] For one of the first times in his life he found himself in a stable environment and became quite popular in school and joined many of the school's sports teams includingfootball andwrestling.[3] It was there he met Jo Ramirez, his English teacher, who learned about his troubled childhood in a conversation discussing his future ambitions. Furthermore, Bryan Ashford, the school's wrestling coach, took a special interest in Huerta and continued to support him in division wrestling. Ramirez, already a mother of seven, adopted Huerta in 2002 at the age of 19.[10] Ashford coached Huerta and with the help of Ramirez, aided him in applying for acollegiate wrestling scholarship. Huerta attended and graduated fromAugsburg University based inMinneapolis,Minnesota with abachelor's degree in business management,[11] and at one point, resided inSt. Paul, Minnesota.[12]
Huerta worked for a time as a bouncer and construction worker.[13]
In Huerta's pre-UFC career, his first loss came as a result of a dislocated jaw early in the finals of the SuperBrawl 36 tournament againstRyan Schultz on June 18, 2004, his third match of the day.[14]
Huerta was originally slated to make his UFC debut againstHermes Franca atUFC 61, but was forced to withdraw from the fight as the result of an elbow injury.[15] He won his first six fights in the UFC, the first atUFC 63 againstJason Dent, which was declaredFight of the Night.[16]
His next fight was against UFC newcomer John Halverson atUFC 67. The fight ended by TKO after 19 seconds of round one after Huerta landed a knee to the shoulder/head area of a grounded Halverson, knocking him down and finishing him with punches. The end of the bout was controversial as knees to the head of grounded opponents are illegal under UFC rules. It was later shown in a replay that Huerta's knee was actually to the shoulder rather than to the head.[17]
Next he fought in a three-round war withLeonard Garcia atUFC 69. winning via unanimous decision. This fight earned him anotherFight of the Night award.[18] After the fight, in May 2007, Huerta became the first mixed martial artist[19] to appear on the cover ofSports Illustrated Magazine, for a story on the rising popularity ofmixed martial arts.[20]
Huerta won his next two fights againstDoug Evans andAlberto Crane. He then facedClay Guida in the 2007'sThe Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale. Huerta was visibly frustrated at losing in the grappling exchanges from Guida's wrestling offensive, spending a large part of the bout on his back fending off "ground and pound" from his opponent. Late in the second round, Huerta was stunned by a punch to the face while trying to get to his feet, but managed to survive until the end of the round. Early in the third round, Huerta looked to engage Guida on his feet, connecting with a knee to the face while attempting a kick Guida. After a brief flurry, Huerta took his back and submitted Guida byrear naked choke very late in the fight for an impressive come-from-behind win. This fight earned him anotherFight of the Night award.[21]
Huerta then lost his next fight by unanimous decision atUFC 87 againstKenny Florian.On January 9, 2009, Huerta announced an indefinite hiatus from MMA to further pursue opportunities in acting.[22] In order to complete his UFC contract,[19] Huerta returned on September 16, 2009, but lost toGray Maynard atUFC Fight Night 19.[23] After a back-and-forth fight, he would end up losing a split decision in his bout against Maynard.
Despite having previously announced on his personal Twitter account that he was in talks withStrikeforce,[24] Huerta eventually signed withBellator Fighting Championships. He was one of eight men to compete in the second season lightweight tournament, with the winner receiving a title shot againstEddie Alvarez.[25]
His first fight in the tournament took place atBellator 13. Huerta defeated opponent Chad Hinton via submission (kneebar) at 0:56 of the third round.
His second fight in the tournament took place atBellator 17. Huerta lost the semi-final toPat Curran by a controversial unanimous decision (29-28 from all three judges).
However, on August 12 it was announced that Huerta would be fighting Bellator Lightweight ChampionEddie Alvarez, after Curran had to pull out of the fight due to a slap tear in his right shoulder. The Lightweight belt was not on the line when the two met on October 21, 2010 atBellator 33 in Philadelphia.[26] He lost the fight via doctor stoppage at the end of the 2nd round.
Huerta fought againstWar Machine in a welterweight bout in the main event of Ultimate Warrior Fighting 1. Huerta lost the fight via TKO after he suffered a fractured rib during the final scramble in the third round where he rolled out of War Machine's submission armbar attempts to claim side control. From there, War Machine escaped from Huerta's side mount to directly take full mount with ease. Machine then rained down punches for the referee stoppage at three minutes and nine seconds.[27]
Huerta signed with the Asian-based promotionONE Championship in 2012. He was scheduled to fightPhil Baroni in a welterweight bout atONE FC: Destiny of Warriors on June 23 but Baroni was pulled from the fight after suffering a TKO loss in a fight 3 weeks before the event.[28] Huerta instead fought Zorobabel Moreira at the event, and was defeated via KO (soccer kick) in the second round.
After two years away from the sport, Huerta returned to One FC on August 29, 2014. He faced undefeated Christian Holley atONE FC: Reign of Champions and won the fight via TKO in the first round.
After seven-and-a-half years away from the promotion, Huerta re-signed withBellator MMA for one fight in 2018. He facedBenson Henderson in the main event atBellator 196 on April 6, 2018.[29] Huerta lost the bout via submission in the second round.
Subsequently, in May 2018, Huerta signed a new, multi-fight contract with Bellator.[30]
Huerta facedPatricky Freire on September 21, 2018 atBellator 205.[31] He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[32]
Huerta faced Sidney Outlaw atBellator 234 on November 14, 2019.[33] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Huerta facedChris Gonzalez atBellator 255 on April 2, 2021. He lost the bout after tapping due to strikes in the third round.[34]
On April 19, 2021, it was announced that Huerta was released by Bellator.[35]
Huerta would next fight fellow UFC veteranRobert Whiteford atPFL Europe 3 on September 28, 2024.[36] He would lose the fight via unanimous decision.[37]
Huerta trained for his UFC fight againstKenny Florian withGreg Jackson's Submission Fighting.[38] For hisBellator debut, he spent time inThailand and put together a training camp with MMA fighters such asYves Edwards (UFC), Shad Lierley (Bellator),Jared Hess (Bellator),Dave Menne, and Jeff Clark out of thePhil Cardella /Relson Gracie Academy in Austin, Texas.[39]
Huerta made his acting debut asMiguel Caballero Rojo in the live action motion pictureTekken. He also starred alongsideKimbo Slice,Frank Mir, andHeath Herring inCircle of Pain, a 2010 direct-to-video film.
Huerta previously dated actressLaura Prepon from 2008 to 2009.[40]
In August 2010, Huerta engaged in a street fight outside of a bar at approximately 2 A.M.CST inAustin, Texas. Video footage provided byTMZ shows a man alleged to be Huerta is seen exchanging words with and defending himself against a man, Rashad Bobino, a formerTexas Longhorns linebacker,[41] who had just assaulted a woman.[42]
| 40 matches | 24 wins | 14 losses |
| By knockout | 12 | 7 |
| By submission | 5 | 1 |
| By decision | 5 | 6 |
| By disqualification | 2 | 0 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 24–14–1 (1) | Rob Whiteford | Decision (unanimous) | PFL Europe 3 (2024) | September 28, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Glasgow, Scotland | Catchweight (150 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 24–13–1 (1) | Chris Gonzalez | TKO (submission to punches) | Bellator 255 | April 2, 2021 | 3 | 3:01 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Catchweight (160 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 24–12–1 (1) | Sidney Outlaw | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 234 | November 14, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Tel Aviv, Israel | |
| Loss | 24–11–1 (1) | Patricky Pitbull | KO (punch) | Bellator 205 | September 21, 2018 | 2 | 0:43 | Boise, Idaho, United States | |
| Loss | 24–10–1 (1) | Benson Henderson | Submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 196 | April 6, 2018 | 2 | 0:49 | Budapest, Hungary | |
| Win | 24–9–1 (1) | Hayder Hassan | DQ (elbows to back of head) | Phoenix FC 4 | December 22, 2017 | 2 | 0:55 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Welterweight bout. An illegal elbow to the back of the head rendered Huerta unable to continue. |
| Win | 23–9–1 (1) | Adrian Pang | Decision (split) | ONE: Defending Honor | November 11, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Loss | 22–9–1 (1) | Ariel Sexton | TKO (submission to punches) | ONE: Dynasty of Champions 6 | July 2, 2016 | 3 | 3:53 | Anhui, China | |
| Loss | 22–8–1 (1) | Koji Ando | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Odyssey of Champions | September 27, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Jakarta, Indonesia | |
| Win | 22–7–1 (1) | Christian Holley | TKO (knees and punches) | ONE FC: Reign of Champions | August 29, 2014 | 1 | 3:13 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Return to Lightweight. |
| Loss | 21–7–1 (1) | Zorobabel Moreira | KO (soccer kick) | ONE FC: Destiny of Warriors | June 23, 2012 | 2 | 3:53 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | |
| Loss | 21–6–1 (1) | War Machine | TKO (punches) | Ultimate Warrior Fighting 1 | November 26, 2011 | 3 | 3:09 | Pharr, Texas, United States | Return to Welterweight. |
| Loss | 21–5–1 (1) | Eddie Alvarez | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Bellator 33 | October 21, 2010 | 2 | 5:00 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | Non-title bout. |
| Loss | 21–4–1 (1) | Pat Curran | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 17 | May 6, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | Bellator Season 2 Lightweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 21–3–1 (1) | Chad Hinton | Submission (kneebar) | Bellator 13 | April 8, 2010 | 3 | 0:56 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | Bellator Season 2 Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Loss | 20–3–1 (1) | Gray Maynard | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard | September 16, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 20–2–1 (1) | Kenny Florian | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 87 | August 9, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 20–1–1 (1) | Clay Guida | Submission (rear-naked choke) | The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale | December 8, 2007 | 3 | 0:51 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. Fight of the Year (2007). Tied UFC record for most wins in a calendar year (5). |
| Win | 19–1–1 (1) | Alberto Crane | TKO (punches) | UFC 74 | August 25, 2007 | 3 | 1:50 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 18–1–1 (1) | Doug Evans | TKO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale | June 23, 2007 | 2 | 3:30 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 17–1–1 (1) | Leonard Garcia | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 69 | April 7, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 16–1–1 (1) | John Halverson | TKO (punches) | UFC 67 | February 3, 2007 | 1 | 0:19 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 15–1–1 (1) | Jason Dent | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 63 | September 23, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 14–1–1 (1) | Joe Camacho | TKO (punches) | Raze MMA: Fight Night | April 29, 2006 | 2 | 2:43 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 13–1–1 (1) | Dan Swift | TKO (punches) | Extreme Challenge 66 | February 17, 2006 | 2 | 0:51 | Medina, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 12–1–1 (1) | Lee King | Submission (rear-naked choke) | IFC: Rumble on the Rio 2 | October 15, 2005 | 1 | 0:50 | Texas, United States | Won the vacant IFC World Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–1–1 (1) | Matt Wiman | Decision (unanimous) | Freestyle FC 15 | September 14, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Medina, Minnesota, United States | Return to Lightweight. |
| Win | 10–1–1 (1) | Brad Blackburn | TKO (corner stoppage) | IFC: Rock N' Rumble | July 30, 2005 | 3 | 2:19 | Texas, United States | Welterweight debut. Won the vacant ISKA MMA Welterweight Championship. |
| NC | 9–1–1 (1) | Melvin Guillard | NC (result overturned by commission) | Freestyle FC 14 | March 5, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | Originally a decision win for Guillard; overturned due to Guillard greasing between rounds. |
| Win | 9–1–1 | Kenny Jerrell | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:15 | ||||
| Win | 8–1–1 | Steve Kinnison | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | 2:57 | ||||
| Win | 7–1–1 | Naoyuki Kotani | TKO (punches) | XFO 4 | December 3, 2004 | 1 | 1:29 | Lakemoor, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 6–1–1 | Jake Short | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Extreme Challenge 60 | November 12, 2004 | 3 | 0:37 | Medina, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 5–1–1 | Matt Brady | TKO (punches) | Extreme Challenge 59 | September 24, 2004 | 1 | 3:12 | Medina, Minnesota, United States | |
| Loss | 4–1–1 | Ryan Schultz | TKO (jaw injury) | SuperBrawl 36 | June 18, 2004 | 1 | 1:47 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Superbrawl Lightweight Tournament Final. |
| Win | 4–0–1 | Mike Aina | Decision (split) | 3 | 3:00 | Superbrawl Lightweight Tournament Semifinal. | |||
| Win | 3–0–1 | Harris Sarmiento | TKO (punches) | 3 | 2:12 | Superbrawl Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal. | |||
| Draw | 2–0–1 | Joe Jordan | Draw | Extreme Challenge 56 | March 26, 2004 | 3 | 3:00 | Medina, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Jeff Carlson | DQ (headbutt) | Best of the Best 2 | August 2, 2003 | 2 | 4:52 | Anoka, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Shane Lavafor | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:12 | Lightweight debut. |
