Roger Huerta lost for the first time at UFC 87 last month at the hands of Kenny Florian. Not only was the defeat complete but also devastating for the lightweight star. Huerta was so agonized and shocked by the defeat that he had to go back to his family in Rio Grande to seek solace and support.
Going back also helped him gain a lot of perspective and realize how much the support of his fans and family meant to him:
“The support I received helped me overcome my emotions and made me realise that with faith and hope I can achieve anything.”
Huerta also mentioned that the emotional highs and lows that he went through before the fight contributed to his lack of focus in the fight. Dealing with the fame and fortune that comes with the fight game and the UFC in particular have also been difficult for the young UFC star.
“Many people mention to me the Sports Illustrated cover and say that is what I am known for best, but I would much sooner be known for things like my fight with Clay Guida or the fact that I was only guy to fight 5 times in 2007 and go 5-0 in 1 year,”
But all that is in the past now. What Huerta really wants now is a rematch with Florian, who is busy climbing the ranks towards a shot at the lightweight title. Huerta mentions that Florian fought a smart fight, on the terms that he wanted to and did really well. He also mentioned that if given a chance to do it all again, he would go back to the camp he used to train with, possibly suggesting that all was not well in the preparations for his fight with the new camp.
“I would like to go back to the way I used to train, with the people I used to train with. Those guys were like brothers to me, not just trainers,”
Original article by: Fighters Only Magazine
I’d like to see a rematch, but I think it would be unfair for Florian to be forced to take on a rematch before he gets a title shot.