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Matt Serra Is The Future UFC Lightweight Champion

Author: Jon Murray
Date Posted: February 08, 2007

Let's get things straight, I'm saying that Matt Serra has no chance against Georges St Pierre in their UFC welterweight championship bout on April 7, 2007 in Houston Texas. What I am saying is that Matt "The Terror" Serra will be a future champion in the UFC lightweight division.

The UFC does not have another fighter like Matt Serra. Serra is a brilliant fighter, a fighter with a 7-4 MMA record, 5-4 in the UFC. Huh? How can I call a fighter with a record like that brilliant? As is often the case in combat sports, Matt Serra is not defined as a fighter by his victories, but by his losses and Matt Serra's losses are impressive!

Matt Serra's first loss came in May 2001 to none other than Shonie Carter. Matt Serra was dominating this fight and was ten seconds away from winning when Shonie caught Matt with an impressive spinning back fist. That back fist has become the staple of every MMA knockout highlight reel since. Matt has since avenged his loss to Shonie, but since it was part of the Ultimate Fighter reality series and only a two round fight, the victory does not show on his official record.

BJ Penn was the next MMA wizard to defeat Matt Serra. We all know BJ Penn. He's the rubber man, he is unbelievably talented and flexible. BJ Penn may very well have the most natural talent of any fighter in MMA. That said, Matt Serra lost a very close decision to BJ Penn. I believe that a rematch between these two fighters should be in order. Perhaps it will happen at welterweight, or more appropriately back at lightweight where I believe both of these guys are at their best.

Matt Serra's next loss is a bit iffy. He lost a decision to Din Thomas. Again, I believe Din Thomas is a good fighter, but I'm not sure why Matt Serra couldn't finish him. It's in the books as a Din Thomas victory, but if these two fought again today I am certain that Matt Serra would win.

Karo Parisyan also decisioned Matt Serra, this loss coming in June of 2005. Karo is an excellent Judo/BJJ/Ground fighter, so it's no surprise that this fight went to a decision. Basically both guys strength canceled each other out.

That's four losses, but all four come to well known accomplished fighters. Also, all four fighters are still in the mix, moving their way back up into contention for belts at lightweight and welterweight.

Georges St Pierre is standing in the way of Matt Serra taking the UFC welterweight title on April 7. I don't believe anything short of an injury during the fight will prevent Georges from winning that fight. Full apologies to Matt if he thinks I'm disrespecting his skills, it's not that, it's just that I think Georges is just naturally too big and too good a striker for Matt to be effective. Georges has excellent take down defense and good ground and pound, I believe he will win this fight, let's hope it's a good one though.

Matt Serra belongs at lightweight. This is his natural weight class and he would do very well there. I believe that Matt has current lightweight champion Sean Sherk beaten in both ground skills (BJJ) and striking. The only spot Sherk has an advantage is wrestling skills, however Serra is very dangerous from his back. I believe that after Matt Serra gets this fight with Georges St Pierre over with, he will return to rule the lightweight division, and hopefully set up a rematch with BJ Penn.

About The Author

Mixed Martial Arts is the combat sport of the future. Ultimate Fighter Forums is the place to make your MMA opinions known. If you thought The Village was scary, try Halloween Village

Article Source: JKD Street Combat - online collection of Mixed Martial Arts articles.

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