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's story is the ultimate martial arts fairy tale. A compact fireplug of a fighter from Long Island, he was a disciple of Renzo Gracie, earning his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and a reputation as a ground wizard. He won the first season of 'The Ultimate Fighter' reality show, but was still considered a substantial underdog when he faced the dominant welterweight king, Georges St-Pierre, in 2007. In one of the most shocking moments the sport has ever seen, Serra clipped St-Pierre with a right hand, swarmed him, and won by TKO in the first round. He became the UFC Welterweight Champion, a title he famously celebrated by eating a cheeseburger in the octagon. Though he lost the rematch, his victory remains a beacon for every underdog. Post-fighting, his personality found a perfect home as a co-host on the 'UFC Unfiltered' podcast and a coach, where his technical knowledge and New York candor are legendary.
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.”
