Matt Serra - The Martial Arts Prodigy

Matt Serra is not only a legendary MMA fighter but also a dedicated family man, and a respected MMA instructor. In addition to being a proficient grappler, Serra also opened a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school in Huntington, New York with the collaboration of his younger brother Nick.

Serra has trained some of the biggest names in MMA, including former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman, UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling, Pete Sell, Gian Villante, and Luke Cummo. After his retirement from cornerman (a coach or trainer who assists the fighter during the fight) duties, he headed the Serra-Longo Fight Team.

Matt Serra opened his eyes in East Meadow, New York on 2nd June 1974. He was raised in America in an Italian family. Matt Serra’s father being a retired policeman wanted to teach his kids some martial arts skills. He enrolled Matt Serra in Wing Chun classes which is a variation of the Chinese defensive system of Kung fu.

Being the son of a retired police officer, Seera had the dream to join the military forces. Matt had aspirations of joining the Marine Military in his teenage years. He became more enthusiastic after attending a military event that occurred during his teens.

No one knows that a street fight can be taken out of Serra’s dream. A severe street fight happened after the 17th birthday of Serra which changed everything for him. The dispute left his opponent severely wounded and Matt found himself facing a felony charge. Faced with the daunting prospect of a lengthy sentence, Matt was forced to make a difficult decision and plead guilty.

The criminal record he acquired as a result of the fight disqualified him from joining the marines, a dream he had held close to his heart. But little did he know, this dark chapter in his life was actually the beginning of a new and unexpected adventurous journey.

Matt Serra entered the martial arts circuit through a very interesting journey. The disqualification of Serra’s from joining the military proved to be a blessing in disguise. It opened the doors for Matt to explore other avenues and discover his true calling - a career in martial arts.

Despite the setback, Matt did not let his circumstances restrict him from touching the sky. However, he channeled his energy and passion into becoming one of the greatest martial artists of his generation.

Serra’s father, who took a profound interest in martial arts after retirement, had discovered Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) and urged Matt to train with Craig Kukuk, who was the first American black belt grappler. Matt Serra trained under Craig Kukuk's coaching at the age of 18 at the wish of his father.

Craig Kukuk and Ronzo Gracie coached in an academy in the UK. During the coaching with Kukuk, Serra met Renzo Gracie, an illustrated martial artist, and coach, and joined his coaching.

The guidance and mentorship Serra received from Renzo Gracie helped him in achieving a high spot in the BJJ. Matt's training with Renzo Gracie proved to be a turning point in his life. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a respected figure not only in BJJ but also in the MMA community. With his impressive record and undeniable talent, Matt became a fan favorite and a force to be reckoned with in the cage. 

In 1999, Matt Serra won the prestigious Pan American Championship and added a Gold medal to his list of accolades.

In 2000, after years of dedication and hard work,  Matt Serra earned his black belt under Renzo Gracie and quickly established himself as one of the leading competitors at his academy. He also made a name for himself in the world of grappling by earning 2nd spot at the ADCC tournament and turning the heads of MMA promoters.

Matt continued his struggle to become one of the most formidable fighters. His perseverance and dedicated approach paid off. In the last quarter of 2000, Serra was invited to fight in the UFC which is America's most preeminent MMA event.

In 2006, Matt Serra joined the cast of "The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback" (MMA reality television series) on SpikeTV. Matt Serra was determined to prove that he was a force to be reckoned with in the MMA world. He quickly made a name for himself in the octagon, and in 2006, achieved the right to fight for the UFC welterweight fight after winning the TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) reality show.

On the TUF show, Matt defeated Pete Spratt (a former American MMA professional) and Shonie Carter (also an American MMA fighter) to reach the final round. He faced off against Chris Lytle in the final and emerged victorious by a split decision to become the Ultimate Fighter 4 Welterweight Tournament Champion.                                              

On 7 April 2007, Matt faced off against George St Pierre who is one of MMA's most dominant fighters and was at the peak of his grappling career. By winning a fight against St Pierre, Serra proved the doubters wrong by defeating the MMA champion with a TKO in the first round. Matt Serra’s performance solidified his place in MMA history as one of the biggest champions of all time.

Matt's victory on The Ultimate Fighter earned him a Welterweight Belt as well as a $100,000 sponsorship with Xyience.

After his historic victory, Serra went on to coach season 6 of The Ultimate Fighter reality show alongside rival Matt Hughes. Despite leading Team Serra to a 6-2 record in the first round of fights, none of his trainees were able to come out victorious in the second round. The finale saw Team Hughes fighters Tommy Speer and Mac Danzig face off for the title of Ultimate Fighter.

On May 22, 2013, Serra officially announced his retirement from MMA, stating that he would only return to the sport for a fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Serra's MMA career may have been short-lived, but his performance left a huge impact on the martial arts.

Serra's contributions to combat sports didn't end there. In 2016, he joined forces with comedian Jim Norton to co-host the official UFC podcast, UFC Unfiltered, giving fans an inside look at the world of MMA and sharing expert analysis and insights.

In 2018, Serra's contributions to martial arts were recognized when he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in the pioneer wing. He is among the true trailblazers of the grappling world. After years of hard work and dedication, Matt's skills earned him a reputation as one of the top martial artists in the world.

Matt Serra's journey from Kung Fu to cage fighting is a fascinating one. Despite an early desire to join the military, his passion for martial arts ultimately led him to become one of the most successful fighters in the MMA community. His story serves as a reminder of the power of following one's dreams and the determination it takes to achieve them. This is the story of how a young man's life took a surprising turn, and how he used his adversity to achieve greatness. It serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the unwavering spirit of a true fighter.

Free Fight: Matt Hughes vs Matt Serra | UFC 98, 2009

Georges St-Pierre Wins the Rematch With Matt Serra | UFC 83, 2008 | On This Day

UFC 135: Josh Koscheck vs Matt Hughes

Photo Credit: @mattserrabjj