Huerta and UFC “far apart” on contract negotiations - Source

[GodEmperor]

Wow. I still think fighters need to be paid more, but I don't think Huerta deserves as much or more than BJ Penn. What do you think? I don't think Huerta will be getting his title shot.



Report: Huerta and UFC “far apart” on contract negotiations
Posted by Adam Morgan

Dave Meltzer, in the latest edition of The Wrestling Observer, says that the UFC and Roger Huerta are “far apart” regarding contract negotiations. Huerta has one fight left on his contract after the upcoming fight with Kenny Florian this weekend. If he doesn’t renegotiate soon then there’s a very real possibility of missing out on a title shot should he win on Saturday. MMA Mania has the exact wording from Meltzer:

“Huerta, who has one fight left on his contact after the Florian fight, is far apart with UFC on terms for a renewal. Huerta, who has gotten a new agent, was asking for six-figures guaranteed per fight as well as points on the PPV, in negotiations that haven’t gone well for some time. That’s a better deal then [BJ] Penn, so he wasn’t going to get it. The UFC position is that they groomed Huerta and pushed him hard and were careful of his opponents, with the exception of Clay Guida….”

It’s really unbelievable to me that Huerta could possibly be asking for more money than B.J. Penn makes. Penn is not only the current lightweight champion but one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world with victories over some of the best in the game. Penn has earned the kind of money that he’s making right now. With the exception of Clay Guida, who is truly a lightweight gatekeeper, who has Huerta beaten to command that type of money? The answer is no one.

Now, should he beat Florian on Saturday then we might be singing a different tune. Florian is a great fighter who is on a roll and improves each and every time out. Right now, in my eyes, he is the number one contender for the title. A win over Florian for Huerta would go a long way in commanding top-dollar from the UFC and cementing his spot at the top of the lightweight division.

Huerta continues to talk about receiving a title shot, but if he’s not close to another deal then there’s no real possibility of him fighting for the title even if he wins. The UFC has made it abundantly clear that if you have one fight left on your contract then you are not fighting for the title even if you are the number one contender. They want fighters who are going to stick around and defend the title, not guys who are going to fight for the title, possibly win it, and then vacate it because they’re looking for more money. Huerta is stuck between a rock and a hard place right now and the only way out is to beat Florian on Saturday and that’s an extremely tall task.

Source:
Report: Huerta and UFC “far apart” on contract negotiations :Five Ounces of Pain

[MKick]

I really think this might be a case of Huerta buying into his own hype. He's a good fighter no doubt, and I said I'd respect him as such after his fight with Guida. This reminds me alot of the situation with Brandon Vera from a year or so back.

[Asmodeus]

Roger wanst some more money, just like everyone else.

[MikeCandler]

I am not sure if the UFC or any other companies do this but if it were me this is what I would do. I would tell Roger, okay you wanna make more than BJ...deal but here are the terms. You beat Kenny then fight BJ for the title as your last fight on the contract......IF you win this is what you will make...however if you lose this is what you will make (still an increase from right now but NOT more than BJ).

It is a win win really...if he is that good prove it and you will be rewarded for your sucess. Lose and well you are getting paid what you deserve.

[bma44]

The problem for Huerta is going to be no orgs are paying big money for LWs, unless it's someone like Gomi who is a star in Japan. Diaz got like $60k to win at EXC, which is more than Huerta gets now, but I'd be shocked if Huerta didn't get at least $30k/$30k on his new deal, as long as Florian doesn't destroy him. Affliction currently has 0 LWs, so not sure how viable that option is.

[assugar]

He's not gonna be making very much money if he keeps up this big headed bullshit, because he won't be in the fucking ufc.

[Mochan]

Even if Huerta beats Florian, he still doesn't deserve to make more than BJ. The only time he will deserve that is if he puts Mexican asses in the seats, and that is not proven yet. Mexicans are more into boxing and pro wrestling anyway.

[nmcmahan52]

i just hope florian tools him and the talk stops

[Mochan]

Originally Posted by assugar

He's not gonna be making very much money if he keeps up this big headed bullshit, because he won't be in the fucking ufc.

I hope Huerta loses. He's painted himself into a corner, and if he loses to Florian he loses EVERYTHING. If he has no more fights in his contract he will be dropped with no hope of re-signage. If he has a fight or two left Dana will shelf him and sit on his contract for a few years until he coughs up blood.

Huerta just gave himself a HUGE motivation to beat Florian but he also added a ton of pressure on his "cakewalk" match. Hope he can't deal with the pressure.

[assugar]

Originally Posted by Mochan

I hope Huerta loses. He's painted himself into a corner, and if he loses to Florian he loses EVERYTHING. If he has no more fights in his contract he will be dropped with no hope of re-signage. If he has a fight or two left Dana will shelf him and sit on his contract for a few years until he coughs up blood.

Huerta just gave himself a HUGE motivation to beat Florian but he also added a ton of pressure on his "cakewalk" match. Hope he can't deal with the pressure.

Its the first time I am rooting for Florian, I really and sincerely hope that he ruins Huerta's day/week/year.