Rising UFC lightweight star Roger Huerta (18-1-1) today informed UFCmania.com that he will face Alberto Crane (8-0) at UFC 74 on August 25 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“El Matador” will look to keep his perfect record (4-0) inside the Octagon intact against the UFC newcomer — Huerta’s third such opponent in as many fights. He survived an early first round scare against UFC debutant Doug Evans at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 Finale to defeat the Alaskan via technical knockout in the second round.
Huerta also went to war with Leonard Garcia in his Octagon debut at UFC 69, pulling out a hard-fought unanimous decision win. Of course, there is also his 19-second victory over UFC rookie John Halverson at UFC 67.
Without a doubt, Huerta, who recently graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, is one of the busiest fighters thus far this year — UFC 74 will be his fourth fight of 2007. He is also one of the most marketable for the promotion, with the UFC looking to the Mexican-American product to carry them into the Latin market in the very near future.
His latest opponent, Crane, is an undefeated fighter based out of New Mexico who has submitted seven of his eight opponents. He is a veteran of “King of the Cage” and “Professional No Rules Fighting” promotions.
With a quick glance at his opponents and their records, Crane will no doubt be up against his biggest test to date against Huerta. Despite being a UFC newcomer, however, this bout could be a good one—look no further than Huerta’s last two fights.
In recent months, the UFC has done a solid job of bringing in talented fighters from smaller promotions. Perhaps Crane fits under that description.
We’ll find out on August 25.
69 Comments »
I pretty much think they Huerta has already proven him self against the new comers and think it’s about time he gets a fighter that has atleast already had one or two fights in the UFC, i was hoping his next fight wpuld be against a known UFC fighter but once again he will fight against someone making their UFC debut…..what you all think????
Yeah good point. Give Roger time, he is the real deal. This fights allow him to sharpen his tools before he goes to work on the big boys.
Huerta could beat Sherk. Not saying he will but has the weapons to do so.
Yeah Im ready to see Huerta take the next step and be put to the test a little.
I would lawl if he lost …
Huerta should get some legit competition now. It is already clear that he hasn’t faced anyone of note, and if he keeps fighting these types of opponents it is hard to consider him a threat, or really know what he is capable of.
IMO the ufc should feed him to Edgar
B.S!!!! Once again Joe Silva has set up another pointless fight. Thanks for nothing Joe. You have this guy who is undefeated in the UFC, and doesn’t get any real competition. I’m really starting to get tired of the UFC favoring fighters to only make them look good.
Edgar vs. Roger would be a great fight but Edgar would win by a vicious ground and pound.
Roger is being babied t the top and I bet UFC crapped theier pants when he got manhandled in the first round by Doug Evans.
Just finished looking up this guy he is fighting, he seems to be a submission machine, so word of advice Roger….you better be working on protecting yourself against getting caught in a submission because it seems to be this guy’s forte…..
Oh, come on! Doug Evans was surprisingly good, but it’s time that Huerta faced some potential contenders, not these guys getting their feet wet. Huerta should be facing off against guys like Thiago Tavares, Tyson Griffin, Kenny Florian and Din Thomas by now. At the very least, give him Mishima or Hazlett.
Every post here is exactly what I was going to say. This is a joke. What does Huerta need to do do face a contender? It doesnt even need to be a Top 5 contender, just a contender, or at the very least someone we freaking heard of already. Its as if Dana doesn’t want Huerta to succeed. What’s his plan, to just keep on feeding him unknowns until one of those unknowns knocks Huerta out with an overhand right and sends him back to the bottom of the ladder? I mean I’d rather see if fight Monstah Lobstah, Noah, Wayne Weems, or Danny Abaddi for christ sakes. I know GriffinFan05 would get super excited about that fight too. It would be his fight of the year.
I totally agree. I would love to see Wayne Weems destroy Huerta. Unfortunatly Danny Abaddi is a middleweight, but if he could cut the weight a fight against Roger would be a joke.
I think it is pretty clear what is happening with Huerta. The ufc wants him to become popular, because he is both
a) Hispanic
b) Good looking
He has potential to be hugely popular, so they are going to keep feeding him fighters making their ufc debut. He is a long way from getting a title shot, and would be crushed by Sherk, or any other top lw for that matter (Griffin, Thomas, Guida, Stevenson, Aurelio).
The ufc should grab Melendez, imo. He is Hispanic and a serious threat to anyone in the world. And for those who think I’m being racist/innapropriate, it has been stated by Dana they are trying to tap into the Hispanic market, and Huerta is perfect for that
To expand on my last post, here is Melendez’s record on fight finder http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=5545
Wins over Sato (although past his prime), Kawajiri, and Guida are pretty solid. I think he could win the lw title
Seriously, Huerta needs to fight another contender already. This guy has shown that he has talent. Now is the time to see how far that talent can go. I say give him Edgar or Fisher.
I would love to see Huerta fight Joe Lauzon. That would be a scrap!
Another stacked card.
Huerta is a explosive fighter, an impressive victory here and I reckon hes only one fight away from a title shot…
[quote comment=”106263″]Yeah good point. Give Roger time, he is the real deal. This fights allow him to sharpen his tools before he goes to work on the big boys.
Huerta could beat Sherk. Not saying he will but has the weapons to do so.[/quote]
I agree with this guy….I feel he’s the real deal as well. Can he beat Sherk? Who knows, but the guy can take a hit while returning the punishment
I’d like to see him fight Stevenson, just me. I am disapointed, again, with this match-up. You get better by fighting better opponents. By the time Huerta fights he will be softer for not fighting some tougher competition.
This plus the Liddell/Jardine match makes me wonder what they’re doing over there at the UFC.
I am the biggest anti Joe Silva guy here and nobody can try and say otherwise. I know he has done a brutal job over the last 7 months in terms of pinning fighters together. I definitly think Roger Huerta should have been fighting against a caliber fighter of say a Yves Edwards or a Tyson Griffen (he also fought in June … same rest time). But truth be told, Dana’s punk ass was certainly holding his breath when Huerta faced a first round scare at TUF 5 finale. I know that one more tune up fight for Roger Huerta is essential.
This is a guy who the UFC is banking on in terms of becoming a household name. If I were the matchmaker I would have Roger Huerta fight this newcomer to this UFC at UFC 74 and then have the following fights.
1. December 2007 - Nate Mohr
2. Spring 2008 - Kenny Florian
3. Summer 2008 - Joe Stevenson (if Stevenson isnt already fighting for title … if he is, Melvin Gulliard will be through with his suspension by then)
4. Fall 2008 - Either one more fight against the best contender in the lightweight division or fight Sean Sherk himself for the title.
If you allow him to build up some nice wins, it will be that much more rewarding to see him rise as a true start in the UFC. We are kind of see this happen already with Joe Stevenson and guys like Diego Sanchez/Josh Koscheck. Building up your stars of tomorrow is important and as much as I knock the UFC, they are doing a nice job with a FEW of their young guys.
[quote comment=”106334″]Another stacked card.
Huerta is a explosive fighter, an impressive victory here and I reckon hes only one fight away from a title shot…[/quote]
Be serious. There’s a half dozen guys in line ahead of Huerta for a title shot. Eventually, he’s going to have to show that he can beat fighters like Tyson Griffin, Joe Stevenson and Din Thomas before he can be seen as a serious contender. It’s not Huerta’s fault that the division is stacked and probably not all his fault that Joe Silva feeds him lesser opponents, but that doesn’t mean that beating up another unknown lets him cut to the front of the line. If anything, he’ll have to rematch Guillard, who beat the snot out of Huerta before the fight was ruled a no contest (for reasons that I don’t know about).
i was just about to ask why was the fight against guillard ruled a no contest,but melvin breaks under pressure he has vicious hands but he wont ever be a chmap melvin i mean
NICE , Glad he got added too this card. Cant wait too see him fight live.
[quote post=”2761″]I think it is pretty clear what is happening with Huerta. The ufc wants him to become popular, because he is both
a) Hispanic
b) Good looking[/quote]
You forgot C) He is A & B without being Tito Ortiz.
just tryin to get spanish people involved in the ufc.. it will come.. hes exciting to watch either way.
Interesting enough his only loss has come against an IFL fighter. He verbally submitted during a bout with Ryan Schultz. Ryan is a pretty good fighter; however, I feel that Huerta has evolved much more since then and would probably beat Ryan in a rematch.
Does anyone have any relevant comments regarding my blog which is 6 up from this one ? It be nice to know if anyone shares a similar opinion or not.
Kevin “cuts” Kelly
Maybe Stevenson or Florian is jumping the gun, but Yves Edwards or Din Thomas would be good to see. Those seem to be much better “Stepping Up” match ups. See how he does against a couple of PROVEN VETS, not newbies.
Ugh they should just scrap this fight, have Huerta fight Joe Stevenson and have the winner of that fight get a shot at the title.
[quote comment=”106334″]Another stacked card.
Huerta is a explosive fighter, an impressive victory here and I reckon hes only one fight away from a title shot…[/quote]
He’s fighting a new-comer. In order to get a title-shot, you have to beat someone else who has proven themself worthy of one as well, a.k.a. “a contender”.
[quote comment=”106376″][quote comment=”106334″]Another stacked card.
Huerta is a explosive fighter, an impressive victory here and I reckon hes only one fight away from a title shot…[/quote]
Be serious. There’s a half dozen guys in line ahead of Huerta for a title shot. Eventually, he’s going to have to show that he can beat fighters like Tyson Griffin, Joe Stevenson and Din Thomas before he can be seen as a serious contender. It’s not Huerta’s fault that the division is stacked and probably not all his fault that Joe Silva feeds him lesser opponents, but that doesn’t mean that beating up another unknown lets him cut to the front of the line. If anything, he’ll have to rematch Guillard, who beat the snot out of Huerta before the fight was ruled a no contest (for reasons that I don’t know about).[/quote]
i was at this fight…they gave the fight to melvin, even though roger won it. everyone booed when they said melvin won it.
roger disputed it and it was later overturned into a NC.
[quote post=”2761″]1. December 2007 - Nate Mohr
2. Spring 2008 - Kenny Florian
3. Summer 2008 - Joe Stevenson (if Stevenson isnt already fighting for title … if he is, Melvin Gulliard will be through with his suspension by then)
4. Fall 2008 - Either one more fight against the best contender in the lightweight division or fight Sean Sherk himself for the title.[/quote]
You requested that someone comment on your post, so I guess I’ll be the one. I too can’t stand Joe Silva. How does he come up with these matches??
I think that Joe Silva has this huge room in the basement of his house containing a poster of every UFC fighter neatly hung up on the walls. He sits in the middle of the otherwise completely empty room on a stool and pounds a bottle of Jose Cuervo and rips a few bong hits. Next he stands himself up in the center of the room. He then proceeds to twirls himself in circles for 30 seconds and then tries to run full speed ahead. When he stumbles and falls head first into the wall, whomever’s poster he collides with is who will get the fight.
Also in reference to your post, I noticed your comment next to Joe Stevenson, (if Stevenson isnt already fighting for title). I personally think that the same should be said for Kenny Florian. There is no way that KenFlo is more than 2 fights away from a title shot. Plus for some reason Dana White has some nerdy little boy crush on him.
KenFlo is the man, I have never and will never root against him in a fight!
Marcus Aurellio vs Clay Guida just added to UFC 74: check UFC.com…
What a great card!
Don’t know anything about Crane, but Huerta should be fighting bigger names by now. I’m not sure the light weight division needs more fighters yet. And if they find someone worth bringing up from the minors, put them up against someone Roger has beat. I want to see Huerta fight more, but bigger names please!
[quote comment=”106480″][quote comment=”106376″][quote comment=”106334″]i was at this fight…they gave the fight to melvin, even though roger won it. everyone booed when they said melvin won it.
roger disputed it and it was later overturned into a NC.[/quote]
I’ve only seen snippets of the fight on a highlight reel. The announcers on there made it sound like Huerta got pummeled for three rounds and barely escaped alive (I guess that’s why those clips were selected for a highlight reel). Thanks for letting me know.
[quote comment=”106297″]Oh, come on! Doug Evans was surprisingly good, but it’s time that Huerta faced some potential contenders, not these guys getting their feet wet. Huerta should be facing off against guys like Thiago Tavares, Tyson Griffin, Kenny Florian and Din Thomas by now. At the very least, give him Mishima or Hazlett.[/quote]
There you go, Huerta versus Din Thomas. Thomas is an established guy but not really up in the gold bracket… maybe silver level. Sort of a fallen star hanging around like Tito Ortiz. Enough of these bogus 8-0 guys, put Huerta up against Thomas.
I’d like to see Tavares vs. Tyson Griffen too.
[quote comment=”106510″][quote post=”2761″]1. December 2007 - Nate Mohr
2. Spring 2008 - Kenny Florian
3. Summer 2008 - Joe Stevenson (if Stevenson isnt already [/quote]
I think that Joe Silva has this huge room in the basement of his house containing a poster of every UFC fighter neatly hung up on the walls. He sits in the middle of the otherwise completely empty room on a stool and pounds a bottle of Jose Cuervo and rips a few bong hits. Next he stands himself up in the center of the room. He then proceeds to twirls himself in circles for 30 seconds and then tries to run full speed ahead. When he stumbles and falls head first into the wall, whomever’s poster he collides with is who will get the fight.
[/quote]
Dude- you just divulged proprietary information!! What’s wrong with you man?!
Now they might have to change it to Silva spins around for 30 seconds then craps in a bucket and whoever’s picture is in the bottom gets to fight.
[quote comment=”106524″]Don’t know anything about Crane, but Huerta should be fighting bigger names by now. I’m not sure the light weight division needs more fighters yet. And if they find someone worth bringing up from the minors, put them up against someone Roger has beat. I want to see Huerta fight more, but bigger names please![/quote]
The lw division will probably grow a little bit more before it is all said and done. Pride has a TON of fighters to pull from in that department, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few of them make their debuts soon. Gomi is going to K1, and Sakurai is fighting at welterweight. However, there is still Melendez, Hansen, Aoki, Kawajiri, and many others.
A lil update if you will
Sean Sherk
Contenders
1. BJ Penn (wheter we like it or not) NOT
2. Joe Stevenson (unless he loses to queer bag Kurt Pellegrino)
3. Kenny Florian (solid win streak)
4. Din Thomas (impressive in his old age)
5. Hermes Franca (still a strong fighter)
This is where its all relative
6. Roger Huerta
7. Melvin Guillard (Cocaine or not tough as hell and his only recent loss is to Joe Stevenson)
8. Spencer Fisher (Lost to a # 1 contender, followed up with a war)
9. Frank Edgar
10. Tyson Griffen
Other noteables
a. Nate Diaz
b. Clay Guida (nice fighter but has 2 straight loses)
c. Joe Lauzon
d. Gray Maynard
Kevin “cuts” Kelly
Alberto Who? I don’t know much about him does anyone have info on some of his past opponents?
I would like to see him take a really tough fight and see how he fairs.
I think something you’re not getting abouot these guys who are 8-0 or even 8-4 for that matter, these guys are the best weight in an entire local organization, that’s like being the best in an entire city at your weight class. Holy CRAP that is hard to do and it proves you should get in the UFC. Look at Houston Alexander, half you guys say he should be in the top 5 in the world because he beat Jardine bad. Who knows about the next guy who is the best fighter in an entire area, steps onto the national stage, he might just know how to fuck someone up.
I think the only person that has more tribal work than huerta is babalu. This means nothing however
Can somebody please tell this dude to wear board shorts…He does have some ink though, and a pretty kick ass MMA game.
Wow another first time UFC fighter, it’s almost like Huerta doesn’t want to be challenged, just wants to be the poster boy for the UFC.
What is he ranked now after beating all these top 200 fighters? 86th?
Keep it real Huerta.
The fight I would love to see at lightweight would be Huerta vs. Guida.
Here are the reasons:
1) Both young contenders at about the same level
2) Both fan favourites (If you’ve seen either fight you’ll agree.)
3) Neither of them do boring fights.
4) Eh…they’re my favourite fighters at 155.
I agree Rob. That sounds like a good match. I think that the great thing about the LW division is that they can match up any of the 15 fighters above and it would make for an exciting fight.
You people should really study more MMA, all you know about are the fighters that are on tuf. Alberto Crane was the second american(after BJ Penn) to win the world BJJ championships @ the black belt level. He beat Javier Vasquez in a KOTC. I have studied under him for several years and if you think Huerta is gona walk through him you are crazy!!
I’m glad all you non-MMA fighters know so much about Alberto. Believe me……we know who Alberto is. Alberto is one of the most respected teachers and mentors in MMA. Just ask Diego Sanchez how good Alberto is.
Look, all I know is Huerta is extremly overrated. Has not accomplished much of anything. Don’t know why he gets so much hype. He would not hang with Edgar, Tyson G., and def. not BJ or Sherk. He will never be a real contendar.
I think that Dana White is trying to build up Huerta. That is why he is fighting all these new comers. I don’t think he could hang with any of Kevin Kelly top 5 or Fisher or Guillard.
[quote comment=”107035″]I agree Rob. That sounds like a good match. I think that the great thing about the LW division is that they can match up any of the 15 fighters above and it would make for an exciting fight.[/quote]
Yeah, the lw division is getting really exciting. I would love to see a 145lbs division too. The little guys are insanely fast and have cardio to go for days. Btw Clay Guida looks like a skater dude in real life. It’s funny because you’d never think he was an elite mma fighter looking at him in his baggy clothes.
The UFC needs Urijah Faber. He’d be very marketable too and a big draw.
[quote comment=”106586″]Alberto Who? I don’t know much about him does anyone have info on some of his past opponents?
I would like to see him take a really tough fight and see how he fairs.[/quote]
This cat Alberto is the real deal, i trained under him. go to sherdog.com and you will see. Huerta is in for a hurten this Brazilian trained fighter is the shit.
I have seen Crane fight about 3 times each time a submission in the craziest ways. I’m not doubting Huerta’s talent by any means, but Crane is a legit fighter. Huerta should not be taking this fight lightly at all, cause if he does Crane will submit him. We’ll see Crane alot more in the UFC.
Crane is going to destroy Huerta, just wait! I feel a rear naked choke in the middle of the 1st
So you guys know that Alberto Crane is a bjj mundials black black champion right? You need to do some research and get your head straighted out if you think this is a walk in the park for Huerta. Do you follow grappling and bjj tourneys at all? Or do you just watch UFC? On Aug. 25th you will be shocked.
[quote post=”2761″]bjj mundials black black champion [/quote]
bjj mundials black belt champion
Responding to paco and others who think Huerta has been handed an easy victory for 74. the ufc isnt the only proving grounds out there and if you did some research you would see that Alberto is a world class athlete and competitor. Alberto will be able to stand up with Huerta and if it goes to the ground sweet dreams Huerta!!!!
right on JBOY,don DAvid, n AK…
gonna win me some MONEY ON ALBERTO CRANE>….he was a 7 to 1 underdog agains Vasquez..
When it hits ground Huerta will either Snap,Tap or go to sleep…
PERIOD>…
Show me the Money Al!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Every Huerta fight is exciting. Just put him in there, that’s all I want. As long as he is fighting, it doesn’t matter who he is fighting. To all the people that are disppointed with the matchup, you havent been disapointed in any of his previous fights, have you? Have some patience!! It’s only a matter of time before he gets his shot at the bigs.
disapointed, LOL huerta could break a wet bag with those spaghetti armpunches. Crane is going to either suffocate huerta,or he will make him tap do to arm locks. Review Crane’s fights and tell me differently, he is a world champion in grappling. Crane might not have fought in the UFC but don’t hate on level of competition when Huerta has fought four times in the ufc and still not fought anyone on the whose whose list of mma.
Crane wins the fight, in a one sided bitching in which huerta will cry like a little girl gasping for breath
i
Roger Huerta is an excellent fighter, but who are you to say Alberto Crane is not a liable opponent, Alberto Crane is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt who’s has been training Jiu-Jitsu for 12 years and has trained at the world famous Gracie Barra academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Alberto is a former world Jiu-Jitsu champion as well as the former “King Of The Cage” lightweight champion. Jiu-Jitsu: 2002 World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion (Mundials), 3 time Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Champion, 99 Silver World Championship medalist (Mundials), 98 Bronze World Championship medalist (Mundials) Submission Wrestling: Grapplers Quest Champion, Pan American Champion, 2 time Best of the West Champion, Abu Dhabi Veteran. You will all look stupid when Alberto wins over Huerta.
My word is gold!!!
My thoughts exactly MMA Vet. Alberto Crane is ridiculous good. He rarely loses. Huerta has a wrestling background no? I hope he (Huerta) is up to speed on his jiu jitsu defense.
Crane seemed like a tough opponent, but he needs to work on his cardio and stand up skills. He was on the ass end of a thorough ass kicking because he gassed out in the second round. Huerta was amazing. His jiu jitsu defense was more than Crane could handle as well. Even if not for his cardio, Crane was just completely outclassed in this fight. Huerta was never really in trouble the entire fight. Someone listed all the times he was a champion in the past. I don’t know if all that is true or not, but he seemed fairly pathetic to me. Roger Huerta may be good, but he’s only fought the bottom of the barrel in the UFC so far. If this many time world champion in so many different organizations just got completely annihilated by a low ranking UFC lightweight, it seems that he just doesn’t belong in the UFC. He was even dominated on the ground for the majority of the fight and this is where he was supposed to have a major advantage. I wouldn’t bet on this guy making it very far. I have to agree with everyone here that’s saying that Huerta needs some real competition to fight now. Don’t give him another Crane.
[quote comment=”106258″]I pretty much think they Huerta has already proven him self against the new comers and think it’s about time he gets a fighter that has atleast already had one or two fights in the UFC, i was hoping his next fight wpuld be against a known UFC fighter but once again he will fight against someone making their UFC debut…..what you all think????[/quote]
ROGER HUERTA IS BAD ASS. HE SHOULD DEFENETLY COMPETE WITH BETTER FIGHTERS.