http://mmajunkie.com/news/18317/bel...josh-neer-super-fight-set-for-bellator-17.mma It's no secret that Eddie Alvarez has long been my favorite fighter, so it's good to see him fighting again. He should have no problem rolling through Neer. I'm am pumped for this season of Bellator. How can you not love a series of tournament airing on a weekly live MMA show, and this season they have some pretty good fighters lined up. They're supposed to announce the signing of Roger Huerta as early as today, which gives us a potential Alvarez\Huerta fight down the road...and that would be a great fight. TFK
I have really started to like what Bellator is doing. I like the tournament style setup they have. like Trplsec said, Neer is a tough dude and won't run, Alvarez should win without much problem but it will be an entertaining fight. I am really interested in watching Dan Hornbuckle fight in the WW tourney for Bellator in April. I think Hornbuckle will win the WW tourney and set up a possible match with Alvarez. I might just be hoping here but it would be a kickass fight.artie: I love the Alvarez/Huerta fight too. I see Eddie just too big, too strong for Huerta. Anyone else ever think Huerta looked more like a 145'er?
Monday, March 15, 2010 by Loretta Hunt (lhunt@sherdog.com) 23246 Roger Huerta longs for a year like 2007, where the lightweight added five fights -- all victories -- to his docket. The prospect of having four bouts in 2010 is the main reason why Huerta signed with Bellator Fighting Championships. Huerta debuts in the promotion’s eight-man lightweight tournament on April 8 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla. Huerta, who passed on a five-fight renewal contract with the UFC in January 2009 to pursue acting interests, said he was attracted to Bellator’s elimination format. Huerta previously competed in three one-night tournaments at the start of his career. “Bellator provided me with a sense of security,†Huerta told Sherdog.com on Monday. “I control my own destiny in the tournament. The winner gets to face one of the best lightweight fighters in the world -- that’s the goal. If I lose, then it’s my fault. It’s on me and I can deal with that.†Huerta enters the eight-man bracket alongside unknown commodities Chad Hinton, Ferrid Kheder, Mike Ricci, Janne Tulirita, Carey Vanier and returning season-one finalist Toby Imada. The eventual tournament winner will bank $100,000 over three bouts ($10,000/$10,000; $15,000/$15,000; $25,000/$25,000) during a 12-week span and will also earn the opportunity to challenge Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez in the fall. 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. Huerta said he has little knowledge of the eight-man field he’s entering but realizes his notoriety could work against him. “I know I’ll have a target on my back and that these guys will be fighting with everything they’ve got when they meet me,†he said. “I’m going to be facing these guys at their best.†In his final turn in the Octagon, Huerta dropped a split decision to Gray Maynard at UFC Fight Night 19 in September. Huerta said his hunger for MMA returned following the bout, and while Jeff Clark, his manager and a consultant for Bellator, fielded offers, Huerta used the downtime to improve his game. Huerta spent two months in Thailand honing his skills. “My stand-up is so much better,†said Huerta of the experience. “MMA fighters can tend to get flat-footed because they’re trying to defend the takedown. Thai fighting is more on the balls of the feet, so you’re springier, like Anderson Silva. We focused a lot on technique, even the simplest details, like turning my hips with my kicks.†Moving back to Austin, Texas, to be closer to his family, has also had a positive effect on the fighter, he said. Huerta recently began training with seasoned UFC veteran Yves Edwards and World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight Kamal Shalorus in a friend’s converted garage. The makeshift gym has been dubbed “El Garage.†Bellator symbolizes a new beginning for Huerta, and he likes the idea of having more control over it. “I know it’s going to be hard because I have to win the three fights, but I’m giving myself more fights if I win,†said Huerta. “It’s up to me, and I like the sound of that.â€
Thanks for posting. Didn't know this was being held in my backyard on April 8th. I might actually go.
Neer's a damn tough guy even if he looks and sounds like a jerk. He's no walk in the park for anybody. Still, whenever I think about him, I have to think back to that fight where he reached around the other guy's head and punched himself in the face. ::
CLASSIC!!!! I actually forgot about it until you just brought it up. For those who never saw it, check it outartie: http://blogs.chron.com/fighting/2009/02/josh_neer_punches_himself_in_t_1.html
The only thing I've seen like it is when Zab Judah uppercutted himself when he was in close against Kostya Tszyu. :laughing:
BTW, if you watch that Neer gif, after he does it, he suddenly develops a miniature Flintstone lump over the spot where he hit himself. His head jerks violently to the side too. :laughing::laughing:
