Fighter Profile: Roger "El Matador" Huerta

Hometown: Austin, TX, USA

Born: May 20, 1983

Current Organization: Bellator

Professional Record: 20-3-1

Roger Huerta is currently a contender in the lightweight division of the UFC. He is of Salvadoran and Mexican descent, has a background in Kickboxing and Greco-Roman Wrestling and trains out of Greg Jackson’s camp in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Huerta began his mixed martial arts career in 2003 at the age of 20. He compiled an impressive record of 13-1 taking out the likes of Melvin Guillard and Matt Wiman in the process, earning him a call from the UFC. Huerta took a unanimous decision victory at UFC 63 in his Octagon debut over TUF 9 contestant Jason Dent. Three TKO victories led to a shot at the relentless Clay “The Carpenter” Guida. His match with Guida is noted as one of the best comebacks in UFC history. The fight was being dominated by Guida’s superior wrestling skills and aggressive ground and pound, but El Matador was able to sink in a rear naked choke in round 3 which brought an end to a match and became a strong contender for “Fight of the Year.” Huerta was then given the chance to face top lightweight contender Kenny Florian in which he suffered his first defeat inside the octagon via decision. Since then Huerta has gone in to semi-retirement, trying to pursue a career in acting after securing a role in the upcoming video-game based movie Tekken. He announced he would respect his contract and fight out his last bout for the UFC as he took on undefeated Gray Maynard at UFC Fight Night 19.

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Recent Roger Huerta MMA News:

• Defeated Doug Evans via TKO (Strikes) in round 2 at TUF 5 Finale

• Defeated Alberto Crane via TKO (Strikes) in round 3 at UFC 74

• Defeated Clay Guida via Rear Naked Choke in round 3 at TUF 6 Finale

• Loss to Kenny Florian via Unanimous Decision at UFC 87

• Lost to Gray Maynard by Split Decision at UFC Fight Night 19 on September 16, 2009

• Will face Chad Hinton in the 1st Round of the Bellator Season 2 Lightweight Tournament on April 8, 2010 - Bellator 13 fight card & results

By Sam Sihota
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer
Published September 2009