Matt Serra
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who pulled off one of the greatest upsets in UFC history, dethroning a seemingly invincible champion against all odds.
Born 1974 (age 52)·American mixed martial arts fighter·Birthday: June 2·Generation X
Biography
Matt Serra knocked out Georges St-Pierre in the first round to win the UFC Welterweight Championship in 2007, one of the most shocking moments in the sport's history. Born in 1974, the Long Island fighter earned his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie. He won the first season of 'The Ultimate Fighter' reality show. He celebrated his title win by eating a cheeseburger in the octagon. Though he lost the rematch, his victory remains a beacon for every underdog. Post-fighting, he co-hosts the 'UFC Unfiltered' podcast and coaches, sharing his technical knowledge and New York candor.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Matt was born in 1974, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Matt Was Born
The biggest hits of 1974
#1 Movie
The Towering Inferno
Best Picture
The Godfather Part II
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Matt's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1974Born
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1979Started school
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1987Became a teenager
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Could drive
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1992Could vote
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Turned 21
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2004Turned 30
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 40
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 50
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 52 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Defeated Georges St-Pierre by TKO in 2007 to become the UFC Welterweight Champion in one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.
- Won the first season of 'The Ultimate Fighter' reality series, earning a UFC contract and a title shot.
- Earned a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie and founded the Serra Jiu-Jitsu academy.
- Co-hosted the official UFC podcast, 'UFC Unfiltered,' for several years following his retirement from competition.
Did You Know?
He is the first American-born fighter to receive a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt from Renzo Gracie.
He and his brother, Nick Serra, run a successful chain of martial arts schools in the New York area.
He appeared alongside Dana White in the web series 'Dana White: Lookin' for a Fight.'
He holds a win over former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver.
“I'm not the biggest guy, I'm not the strongest guy, but I have a lot of heart and I'm technical.”
