Matt Serra

Matt “The Terror” Serra has been on the mixed martial arts competitive fight scene since 1999. He fought three fights, winning them all, for the Vengeance at the Vanderbilt promotions prior to entering the UFC. In 2001 he had his first UFC bout, which he lost when Shonie Carter hit him with a spinning backfist and knocked him out. He won his next two fights but lost his next two to B.J. Penn and Din Thomas. He went 2-1 over his next three fights, and it was looking as if he might fall out of contention.

He was given a chance to prove himself again when he was chosen to go on Ultimate Fighter 4. Serra was considered an underdog to win the competition, but went on to beat Chris Lytle in the final. Winning the competition gave him a shot at the UFC titleholder, Georges St. Pierre. Serra upset the heavily-favoured French Canadian champ and became the UFC Welterweight Champion, which he still holds.

Serra’s fighting history began early with studies in Kung Fu in high school. He began to study Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Renzo Gracie in the early 90’s, and by 2000 he was awarded his black belt – the first American to do so. He won the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pan American games in 1999, and finished third in the World Championships that same year.

Matt runs two popular gyms in East Meadow and Huntington, New York, with his brother Nick Serra. He has been chosen to host Ultimate Fighter 6 with Matt Hughes, and the main event at the end of the series will feature the two fighting for Serra’s belt.

Serra has improved a great deal over the last year. The reality show provided him with the opportunity to improve his standing game, and he is no longer dependent on his jiu-jitsu skills alone in the octagon. With Matt Hughes, Georges St. Pierre and P.J. Penn all in contention, Serra will have his work cut out for him if he wants to retain his belt in one of the most competitive divisions in the sport today.