Matt Serra appears as one of the titular coaches featured in the Spike TV network’s mixed martial arts contest reality series The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra. He is a mixed martial artist who was born on June 2, 1974 in East Meadow, New York, as well as a UFC Welterweight Champion. Serra’s main fighting style is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and he has won a number of martial arts championships. He began studying martial arts when he was younger, initially beginning with kung fu. During the 90s, he studied Braziliain Jiu Jitsu under Brazilian fighting legend Renzo Gracie, and on May 23, 2000 became the first American under Gracie to earn a black belt in the style.

Among the competitions that Serra has participated in are the 1999 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Pan-American games where he won first place, the 1999 World Championships in Brazil where he reached third place, and the ADCC Submission World Wrestling Championship. Serra oversees two Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gyms with the help of his younger brother Nick Serra, which are found in East Meadow, New York and Huntington, New York. He has also worked together previously with the likes of Pete Sell and Ray Longo.



(Photo courtesy of UFC)