Huerta wanted 250k signing bonus
Details on Roger Huerta’s Contract Demands, A Conflict of Interest? For several months, Huerta was believed to be bound for…
Details on Roger Huerta’s Contract Demands, A Conflict of Interest?
For several months, Huerta was believed to be bound for Strikeforce, the Showtime- and CBS-aligned promotion that has attempted over the last year to establish itself as a major competitor to the UFC. Strikeforce and Huerta did the dance like everyone else, said the organization’s CEO, Scott Coker. That is until the fighter’s monetary demands apparently quelled its interest. Huerta, too, seemed unsure about Strikeforce’s ability to deliver bouts on a regular basis, which is exactly what he didn’t want from a promotional partner.
Mere rumors of Huerta’s asking price — which, according to sources outside the fighter’s camp familiar with the negotiations, included a $250,000 signing bonus — was enough to keep Dream, Japan’s top promoter, from making an offer, said its U.S. representative, Mike Kogan.
**
Huerta, the first fighter ever to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated following his emphatic UFC 69 win over Leonard Garcia in 2007, was heavily promoted by the UFC in 2007 and 2008. When the popular 26-year-old fighter opted not to re-sign with the promotion, Bellator and Strikeforce both courted Huerta, who is of Salvadoran and Mexican decent. Sherdog.com has learned that the bilingual Huerta was offered additional undisclosed incentives to join the fledging Bellator’s ranks, which caters to both English- and Spanish-speaking demographics.
**
MMAPayout Note: Conflict of Interest? Roger Huerta’s manager, Jeff Clark, also serves as a consultant for Bellator Fighting Championships.
