“I think [the Maynard fight] could have gone either way and it’s my fault I let it go to the judges and I can’t go out like that. I can’t go out with two losses in a row. I don’t think I’m going to call it quits anytime soon. I’m still open to acting. Hopefully we get something going with that, but I’m not going to prioritize (acting) now. I’ll still prioritize fighting. If the UFC wants me back, I’d be willing to go back. We haven’t spoken to the UFC since last Wednesday, but we’d definitely keep that option open…I’ve been with the UFC since 2006. They’re all that I know, but it’s up to my manager Jeff Clark to decide that for me. I think this last fight was probably the best fight I’ve ever had, the most focused I’ve ever been. I didn’t know how crucial that Kimura was until I saw the video. I was going to let him break it. I really was. That’s the competitive blood in me. I’ve never given up on anything, and I guess that’s back in me now.” -Roger Huerta

Former UFC lightweight contender Roger Huerta talks to Sherdog.com about the change of heart he had and how he has decided to not quit MMA. Huerta's passion for fighting was re-ignited in his close split-decision loss against Gray Maynard at UFC Fight Night 19 earlier this month. The loss against Maynard was Huerta's last fight on his UFC contract.

Huerta announced at the beginning of the year that he signed a three-picture development deal with Lion's Gate Films and shortly thereafter he opted not to re-sign with the UFC in favor of focusing on his acting career. His interest in acting began last summer after he got the role of Miguel "The Matador" Rojo in the feature film adaptation of the popular video game "Tekken."

Strikeforce would no doubt be interested in aquiring Huerta's services, however, "El Matador" could ultimately end up with the UFC due to a exclusive renegotiation period that the promotion has following a fighter's last bout.

The UFC has 60 days following a fighter's last contracted bout to reach a new deal. If it is not reached within that time, the fighter can begin negotiations with other promotions. However, the UFC also has the option to review and match any offer made by another promotion.

It would be unlike the UFC to not pursue Huerta or not reach a new deal with him as the promotion has invested a lot into Huerta especially in 2007 and 2008. The infamous UFC hype machine got behind Huerta full gear after he became the first mixed martial artist to ever appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated following his amazing fight against Leonard Garcia at UFC 69.

Since his UFC debut in Sept. 2006, Huerta has put together a stellar 6-2 record with the promotion, with four of those wins being by stoppage. He holds notable Octagon wins over Jason Dent, Leonard Garcia, Alberto Crane and Clay Guida. Besides his loss to Maynard, Huerta's only other loss in the UFC came against former UFC lightweight number one contender Kenny Florian.