Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra has retired from MMA. The 38-year old Renzo Gracie black belt debuted in 1999, winning his first four fights via submission en route to the UFC. Serra fought Shonie Carter at UFC 31 in Atlantic City in 2001 losing by spinning back fist knockout. The jovial Long Islander spent the remainder of his career in the UFC winning 7-of-13. Serra appeared on The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback, winning the tournament (with a controversial split decision over Chris Lytle) and a title shot against incumbent welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. Serra faced St-Pierre at UFC 69 in 2007, shocking the French-Canadian and the world with a first round TKO upset victory. Following the fight Serra was named coach for season six of The Ultimate Fighter and was pitted against rival Matt Hughes. Serra suffered an injury and was unable to face Hughes at the finale, with St-Pierre taking his place and winning. Serra reluctantly faced St-Pierre in a rematch in 2008 (Serra had complained that other champions had been given an opportunity to defend their title before rematching the former champion), almost exactly one year after winning the title, losing via second round TKO. Serra's final UFC fight was a rematch with Chris Lytle at UFC 119 in 2010. Serra lost a lopsided decision but the fight was named Fight of the Night. Serra continues to teach Jiu-Jitsu and train up and coming fighters at his gym with partner Ray Longo. Serra's stable includes UFC veterans Costa Philippou and middleweight title contender Chris Weidman.
