Matt Serra

Born on June 2, 1974, in East Meadow, New York, Matt Serra embarked on martial arts training at a young age, initially focusing on Wing Chun. His path soon led him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where he trained under the renowned Renzo Gracie. In 2000, Serra achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first American to be awarded a black belt by Gracie. His grappling prowess was further highlighted by a silver medal at the 2001 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship. Serra’s early career showcased his developing skills, including notable victories in various UFC events and participation in the PRIDE Fighting Championships, setting the stage for his impactful career in mixed martial arts.

Serra’s career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) marked a period of significant achievements. In 2006, he won The Ultimate Fighter 4 Welterweight Tournament, defeating Pete Spratt, Shonie Carter, and Chris Lytle. This victory earned him a title shot against Georges St-Pierre. In a major upset at UFC 69 in 2007, Serra defeated St-Pierre via TKO in the first round to claim the UFC Welterweight Championship, an accomplishment that stands as one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. He later coached The Ultimate Fighter 6 opposite Matt Hughes and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018, recognizing his pioneer status in the sport.

Following his retirement from professional fighting in 2013, Serra continued his involvement in the martial arts community as an entrepreneur and coach. He co-owns a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school in Huntington, New York, where he mentors fighters, including former UFC champions Chris Weidman and Aljamain Sterling, as part of the Serra-Longo Fight Team. Additionally, Serra extends his reach through media, co-hosting the official UFC podcast, “UFC Unfiltered,” with comedian Jim Norton, and co-starring in “Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight,” further solidifying his presence as a respected voice and figure within the MMA world.