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[Texasboyballin]

During a media conference call in May, UFC President Dana White said the winner of Saturday's lightweight fight between Kenny Florian and Roger Huerta would likely get the next title shot.

However, now just two days before that UFC 87 co-main event, White said that the title shot is far from guaranteed and that he has other plans for current champ B.J. Penn -- ones that involve neither Florian nor Huerta -- if Georges St. Pierre gets by Jon Fitch on Saturday.

The UFC's head honcho today spoke about those plans, as well as Huerta's recent criticism of the UFC's payscale, while a guest on TAGG Radio (TAGG Radio Network - Home of TAGG Radio & The Lights Out Show!), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com).

"There's no guarantees that Florian and Huerta are going to get a title shot after this fight," White said of Saturday's lightweight bout. "It definitely puts them in the mix ... but definitely, if St. Pierre beats Fitch, it's looking like it'll be GSP (vs.) B.J. Penn."

Penn, who won the vacant lightweight title in January and defended it against former belt-holder Sean Sherk in May, has been lobbying for a chance to move up a weight class to fight St. Pierre. The two fighters met once before in 2006 at UFC 58, where St. Pierre scored a split-decision victory on the "USA vs. Canada" card.

Penn wants the rematch, but it's unlikely to happen on his home turf. While the UFC has long anticipated its official Hawaiian debut, the state isn't ready to oversee the sport. That's why the rematch will likely take place in St. Pierre's neck of the woods.

"[MMA] got approved (in Hawaii), but the regulations aren't yet done," White said. "It wouldn't be done in time for this fight, so it would probably be in Montreal."

Earlier this week White said the organization was planning to return to Canada before the end of the year, and a November date is possible. However, if the fight doesn't take place in Canada, Sin City is on standby.

The UFC has already begun preparations for a Dec. 27 event that will take place in Las Vegas at either the Mandalay Bay Events Center or the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The UFC traditionally loads its year-end cards with top talent. UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and former champ Frank Mir, who serve as coaches on the upcoming eighth season of "The Ultimate Fighter," are expected to fight at the event, and a Penn vs. St. Pierre II would only further bolster the card.

* * * *


During today's TAGG Radio interview, White was also asked about Huerta's recent comments in Fight! magazine. In the controversial piece, Huerta said that he quit doing the UFC's public-relations tours because he missed training time and was only given a $50-per-day allowance.

"Boohoo," White said. "Guys have been doing it the eight years we've been running the company. Oscar De La Hoya weighs in on Friday, then jumps on a plane to California and does Jay Leno and all these other talk shows because that's how you build your name up and become famous, and that's how you make your money. You know what else we have? We have guys in the UFC bitching that guys like Roger Huerta get all the PR and that they don't get any."

Huerta also complained about the compensation he and some other fighters receive.

"Somebody asked me yesterday in an interview, 'Roger Huerta said he's having contract problems.' He's not having contract problems," White said. "He's got two more fights left on his contract. If he beats Kenny Florian, it obviously puts him in a real nice position, then he can re-negotiate a new contract.

"Some of these guys start saying stupid stuff like Roger. I don't get what he's talking about. You signed a contract. You've got two fights left on it. You've got a tough fight with Kenny Florian. You win it? We'll talk."

Source:
No Title Shot Guaranteed 4 Ken-Flo or Roger Huerta

[hunterkiller]

Translation:

"If Kenny wins, he gets the shot, if that ungrateful little prick Huerta wins, he doesn't."

Those are my interpretations of Dana's words, not mine. I like Huerta and his anti-establishment stand off.

It's not that I don't agree with some of the things Dana says, because some of the times I do agree, I just don't think that the President of the company should air the dirty laundry. Athletes often do that but you always see their coach, owner, etc. take the diplomatic approach and take care of it behind closed doors. I just don't like when an owner frequently lambasts his employees.

[scottsec]

lol....sometimes dana cracks me up....

[leedogg900]

People always talk about how BJ takes the toughest fights. The same can be said about GSP. His resume at this point in his career is nothing short of fantastic.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

EDIT: Shoot, wrong thread.

[Dimson]

Originally Posted by thecoylewis

Translation:

"If Kenny wins, he gets the shot, if that ungrateful little prick Huerta wins, he doesn't."

Those are my interpretations of Dana's words, not mine. I like Huerta and his anti-establishment stand off.

It's not that I don't agree with some of the things Dana says, because some of the times I do agree, I just don't think that the President of the company should air the dirty laundry. Athletes often do that but you always see their coach, owner, etc. take the diplomatic approach and take care of it behind closed doors. I just don't like when an owner frequently lambasts his employees.

Dana is the Jerry Jones, George Steinbrenner, and Mark Cuban of MMA. Those guys regurally blast their players in the media and in the end it usually leads to results. So I don't blame him for saying some of the stuff he says. Hell I would have never knowns about the whole Randy signing bonus if he never mentioned it in a radio interview. And if what he says gets his fighter's fired up to put on a good show, more power to him.

[jlruthven84]

Originally Posted by thecoylewis

Translation:

"If Kenny wins, he gets the shot, if that ungrateful little prick Huerta wins, he doesn't."

Those are my interpretations of Dana's words, not mine. I like Huerta and his anti-establishment stand off.

It's not that I don't agree with some of the things Dana says, because some of the times I do agree, I just don't think that the President of the company should air the dirty laundry. Athletes often do that but you always see their coach, owner, etc. take the diplomatic approach and take care of it behind closed doors. I just don't like when an owner frequently lambasts his employees.

In this case, Huerta aired the dirty laundry, not Dana.

I have no sympathy for Huerta in this situation. He's been fed easy opponents (one or two of which gave him all he could handle) to build his name and image, which has led to a good many sponsorship deals, and if he beats Florian, you can bet your ass that'll give him big bargaining power in re-negotiations.

Roger's an exciting fighter, but he needs to do just that: shut the fuck up, fight, and prove he's a six-figure employee.

[dudefella]

Originally Posted by Dimson

Dana is the Jerry Jones, George Steinbrenner, and Mark Cuban of MMA. Those guys regurally blast their players in the media and in the end it usually leads to results. So I don't blame him for saying some of the stuff he says. Hell I would have never knowns about the whole Randy signing bonus if he never mentioned it in a radio interview. And if what he says gets his fighter's fired up to put on a good show, more power to him.

At the end of the day, it's Dana's business and he's done pretty well with it. The guy's got a strong personality and he just doesn't give a shit.. gotta respect that. I honestly don't think I'd act any differently were I in his position, including the F bombs. Huerta probably saw the ridiculous payouts from Affliction, and decided he could tell the UFC to get stuffed... unfortunately for him, I think he's screwed himself.

[Dimson]

Originally Posted by dudefella

At the end of the day, it's Dana's business and he's done pretty well with it. The guy's got a strong personality and he just doesn't give a shit.. gotta respect that. I honestly don't think I'd act any differently were I in his position, including the F bombs. Huerta probably saw the ridiculous payouts from Affliction, and decided he could tell the UFC to get stuffed... unfortunately for him, I think he's screwed himself.

Dana is the face of the UFC, he is not the majority owner. AndI think Huerta has only screwed himself if he loses. If he wins he may have actually made himself even more money by speaking out. But it is never good to blast your employer unless you know the company can not live with out you or you are at the negotiatng table and they give you a very disrespectful offer. Even then I don't think it is a good idea.

[Ifightforaliving]

Huerta's mouth screwed him out of more money and a title shot.

[atj-lucko]

Originally Posted by Ifightforaliving

Huerta's mouth screwed him out of more money and a title shot.

Yeah in short if Kenny Florian wins he gets a title shot, if Roger Huerta wins he's stuck fighting Matt Wiman and Justin Buchholz in the prelims in his next 2 fights.