The Weekly Wrap: Jan. 3

Photo by Sherdog.com

Huerta will not step
back into the Octagon
after his next fight.

• Despite reports in December that he had signed a five-fight UFC deal, lightweight Roger Huerta will not step back into the Octagon after his next fight, Sherdog.com’s Loretta Hunt reported. Huerta, who at one point appeared at the center of UFC’s plans to market to the Hispanic demographic, indicated he plans to fulfill the one fight remaining on his current contract and then pursue acting opportunities. Huerta has a role in the action film “Tekken,” which premieres later this year, and has signed a three-movie developmental deal with Lion’s Gate Films;

• Former World Wrestling Entertainment headliner Bobby Lashley signed to compete in his second professional MMA bout. He will fight for the Palace Fighting Championship promotion in February in Lemoore, Calif., though an opponent has yet to be named;

• World Extreme Cagefighting, fresh off eliminating its light heavyweight and middleweight divisions, plans to add a 125-pound division to its ranks, MMAWeekly reported. Top fighters in the unheralded flyweight class compete in Japan, with Shooto’s Shinichi Kojima at the top of Sherdog.com’s rankings;

• Eddie Alvarez, recovering from his heel hook loss to Shinya Aoki on Dec. 31, has pulled out of his next scheduled fight on Jan. 23 for Monte Cox’s Extreme Challenge promotion. Alvarez told Sherdog.com’s “Beatdown” radio he did not suffer any severe damage in the Aoki fight but needs to recuperate properly. He remains focused on debuting for the Bellator Fighting Championships, which begins taping fights in April for its television slot on ESPN Deportes.