Matt Serra

East Meadow | 14 UFC fights

One day, he may ride a bull or cruise through Sturgis in a sidecar. Another day, he may trade kimuras and wrestling techniques with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson right in the middle of his podcast.

And then there’s everything else as well, from teaching at his two Brazilian Jiujitsu schools to cornering his team at fights around the world to raising his three daughters with his wife, Ann.

So goes life for Matt Serra, the former UFC welterweight champion from East Meadow who last fought in 2010 and remains one of the more prominent personalities in mixed martial arts.

“It’s both funny and amazing how I’m still relevant,” Serra, 43, said.

Serra rose to prominence in UFC 69 by knocking out Georges St-Pierre to win the title on April 7, 2007. It was considered the biggest upset in UFC history at the time. It remains that way 10-plus years later.

Serra, the first American BJJ black belt under Renzo Gracie, became a star that night in Houston. His personality — fun, outgoing, honest, tough guy — carried him far beyond the octagon.

He’s one of the three main stars on the UFC’s reality web series “Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.” Serra joins White, the UFC’s president, and former fighter Din Thomas on excursions across the country to find new fighters to sign and new high jinks to document. From riding live bulls to playing ice hockey, from riding horses on a ranch to riding motorcycles at Sturgis, follies ensue when the cameras roll.

“Whether it’s new fans that have jumped in during the Conor [McGregor] and Ronda [Rousey] era of the sport, or it’s fans that have been following since Day 1, when you’re introduced to Matt Serra, he’s a likable guy,” White said. “He’s a guy’s guy. He’s super funny. He’s a total badass and has his moments, yet, then you see him start crying on camera if he even mentions his daughters. Matt Serra appeals to everyone.”

The show, now in its second season, airs on YouTube. Eight of the nine episodes published so far have eclipsed 1 million views. “I couldn’t imagine doing it without Matt Serra,” White said. “And I say it all the time: Without Matt Serra, there is no ‘Lookin’ for a Fight.’ He is the show.”

Serra’s comedic nature combined with his status among UFC and MMA fans also made him a natural fit to co-host the UFC’s official podcast. Twice a week, Serra and comedian Jim Norton gather in a studio on Manhattan’s West Side to record “UFC Unfiltered.”

“Ten years ago, Matt Serra knocked out Georges St-Pierre, and then obviously, he lost the title, retired,” White said. “And look where he is today. He’s killing it. He just bought a new house for him and his family. He’s got one of the most successful podcasts out of all the podcasts in sports. ‘Lookin’ for a Fight’ is an incredible hit, from the day we launched it. Obviously, things that he’s got going on are very successful right now. God knows what’s next for Matt Serra.”

Serra owns and teaches at BJJ academies in Levittown and Huntington, schools that have produced a handful of UFC fighters, including one champion, and countless jiujitsu practitioners and MMA fighters in other promotions.

“That’s my love, teaching jiujitsu, it’s my passion. It’s just a good time anyway hanging out in my academies with my students,” Serra said. “So, listen, life is good. Life is good. I can’t complain.”

MATT SERRA’S UFC FIGHT HISTORY
Date	Event	Opponent	Result
May 4, 2001	UFC 31	Shonie Carter	Lost by KO, Round 3, 4:51
Sept. 28, 2001	UFC 33	Yves Edwards	Won by majority decision
March 22, 2002	UFC 36	Kelly Dullanty	Won by submission, Round 1, 2:58
Sept. 27, 2002	UFC 39	B.J. Penn	Lost by unanimous decision
Feb. 28, 2003	UFC 41	Din Thomas	Lost by split decision
Jan. 31, 2004	UFC 46	Jeff Curran	Won by unanimous decision
June 19, 2004	UFC 48	Ivan Menjivar	Won by unanimous decision
June 4, 2005	UFC 53	Karo Parisyan	Lost by unanimous decision
Nov. 1, 2006	Ultimate Finale 4	Chris Lytle	Won by split decision
April 7, 2007	UFC 69	Georges St-Pierre	Won by KO, Round 1, 3:25
April 19, 2008	UFC 83	Georges St-Pierre	Lost by TKO, Round 2, 4:45
May 23, 2009	UFC 98	Matt Hughes	Lost by unanimous decision
Feb. 6, 2010	UFC 109	Frank Trigg	Won by KO, Round 1, 2:23
Sept. 25, 2010	UFC 119	Chris Lytle	Lost by unanimous decision

Photographer: Mark La Monica
Video editors: Greg Inserillo, Mark La Monica