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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief Several months back, reports surfaced that Roger Huerta declined a lucrative five fight extension on his contract with the UFC as he wanted to pursue an acting career. With one fight still remaining on his current deal with the organization, he's been out of action since his decision loss to Kenny Florian in Minneapolis last August.
A new report from Sherdog today suggests that limbo period will come to an end on September 16th at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City for Fight Night 19 against Gray Maynard.
The event will serve as the lead in to the new "heavyweights" season of the Ultimate Fighter and takes place three days before UFC 103 in Dallas.
Huerta was 6-0 in the UFC until the Florian loss, including wins over Leonard Garcia and Clay Guida. The Florian loss was only the second of his career, and the first in over four years.
Maynard is a perfect 7-0 in his MMA career, with one no contest stemming from a controversial call in his bout with Rob Emerson at the Ultimate Fighter 5 finale, the season on which he was a contestant. He picked Emerson up for a slam that caused Emerson to tap, and the ref believed Maynard had knocked himself out so it was ruled a no contest. Since that time he's won five straight, putting him at the top of the heap in many people's eyes. A win over Huerta would certainly increase his chances at a title shot.
Penick's Analysis: This is a great fight for both parties. Should Huerta change his mind about continuing his career a win over Maynard would get him right back on track after the Florian loss and the year long layoff. For Maynard, a win over a guy who was not far from a title shot in his own right will continue his ascension up the lightweight ranks. With this show on Spike for free as well it sets up a very solid lightweight tilt heading into the next season of the Ultimate Fighter.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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