Roger Huerta

Roger ‘El Matador’ Huerta – MMA Profile

Roger Huerta has lived the kind of life that seems well-suited for a movie. Trouble at home, fleeing to another country, living on the street, and becoming a major contender as a professional MMA fighter are all elements of his life story. Beneath the glamour of a short, but remarkable MMA career lies the refuse of pain, neglect, and emotional distress. Nicknamed “El Matador,” Huerta has survived it all, drawing fans to his fighting style and his unique story.

Trouble At Home

Huerta was born in Los Angeles in 1983. By the time he was 7, he had fled to El Salvador with his mother. There was trouble between his parents and in fear, his mother sought refuge with Roger’s maternal grandparents. Despite a civil war that had erupted throughout the country, his mother left him with his grandparents and disappeared. A year passed before she would resurface to reclaim the son she had abandoned. But, Huerta’s troubles were just beginning.

Rather than caring for him, Huerta’s mother chose to abandon him again. She left him in Texas with his father, who had remarried. Huerta claims that his stepmother abused him during his short stay at his father’s house. Within a few months, his father took him to Mexico and asked Roger’s paternal grandparents to raise him. His father eventually had a change of heart and came back to reclaim his son before returning to Texas. But, volatility was a part of Roger’s life. Soon, pushed out by his father’s growing addiction to drugs, Huerta found himself living on the streets, struggling to survive.

Eventually, with the help of others, he found a way to attend college. At 19, Huerta was legally adopted by his high school English teacher.

A Promising MMA Career

During his short career in the MMA, Huerta has racked up an impressive 25 wins and 2 losses. His first defeat happened in 2004 when, during the third event of the day, his jaw was dislocated. Over the past 5 years, Huerta has impressed both fans and opponents with his wrestling style and resilience in the face of adversity. Considered a rising star in the industry, he was chosen for Sports Illustrated Magazine’s first cover photo of an MMA fighter. Young, formidable, and driven, Huerta is likely to be an enduring star in the UFC.