The Weekly Wrap: March 13 - March 19

Huerta chooses Bellator

In what is arguably the promotion's highest-profile acquisition to date, Bellator Fighting Championships announced this week it had signed former UFC star Roger Huerta to compete in its upcoming eight-man lightweight tournament. Huerta, 26, signed a two-year deal with the promotion.

Huerta, who will forever be known as the first MMA fighter to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated in May 2007, negotiated with Strikeforce and Dream before signing the contract. Terms were not disclosed, but Huerta’s representation was said in some reports to be driving a hard bargain. Huerta’s manager, Jeff Clark, has also worked as a consultant to Bellator. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said in interviews the negotiation was "very long and exhaustive." Huerta told Sherdog.com that he chose Bellator because of the opportunity it offered him to fight multiple times in a short period. The winners of Bellator's season two tournaments will rake in a total of $100,000, though Sherdog.com reported that Huerta was given added monetary incentive on top of that to join Bellator’s ranks.

Huerta was pushed by the UFC as a potential breakthrough star in 2006-2008, particularly among the Latino demographic. But after an impressive string of wins, including a fight of the year candidate against Clay Guida in 2007, he hit a contractual snafu. At one point, Huerta was reportedly looking for a percentage of the revenue on pay-per-views he fought on, a perk afforded to only the top UFC headliners. He turned down a five-fight renewal deal with the UFC in January 2009 and announced his intention to pursue film roles, but came back to the UFC to fulfill the last fight on his contract in a split decision loss to Gray Maynard last year.

Huerta faces undefeated Chad Hinton in the opening round of 155-pound bracket on April 8, which airs live on Fox Sports Net. The tournament includes Huerta, Hinton, Toby Imada, Ferrid Kheder, Mike Ricci, Janne Tulirinta, Carey Vanier and Pat Curran. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said the promotion has explored promoting Huerta in a super fight in Mexico.

Bellator also announced this week an endorsement deal with Everlast, the sports equipment and apparel company. The Everlast logo will be featured on Bellator gloves and cages.