Matt Serra MMAMemories.com Exclusive Biofile Published by Scoop Malinowski Last Updated on March 8th, 2008

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Status: UFC Welterweight champ.

Ht: 5-6 Wt: 155

Born On: June 2, 1974 In: Long Island, NY

Childhood Heroes: “I was big into Bruce Lee. And I always looked up to my father (Ralph).”

Nicknames: “The Terror, bro. That’s pretty much it. My boys call me Matty S.”

Hobbies/Interests: “I’m a big movie fan, I like to go to the movies. Hangin’ out with my girl. Hangin’ out with the guys. Just regular stuff. I’m not too into going to clubs anymore. I like just chillin’ out. Growing up, I was into comic books. I’m a tough geek [laughs].”

Early Fighting Memory: “Can it be in junior high? I got messed around with a little in 7th grade. Then I trained all summer, I worked out. I remember thinking, The first person who messes with me, I’m gonna work ‘em over. In 8th grade, sure enough, in the lunch room, the dude took my seat to put at his table. And he added some words. I blasted him in the nose. I ended up breaking his nose. After that fight I got a lot of respect. Nobody really messed with me after that. I remember it like it was yesterday.”

Childhood Dream(s): “I always knew I wasn’t going to be able to do a 9-5 office job. I was either going to go into law enforcement or the military. I was always going to be in the mix somehow. I feel very fortunate to have the job that I have now.”

Favorite Movies: “Dude, I’m a big movie buff. I could be here all day naming them. Instead of saying the warrior movies like Braveheart – which is on there – I’ll give you movies that don’t get enough credit. The Big Lebowski. Office Space. The original Friday with Chris Tucker. And I really liked Lord of the Rings.”

Musical Tastes: “I mostly listen to rap. Anything by Eminem, D12.”

Favorite TV Shows: “Seinfeld, The Simpsons, the old Larry Sanders Show.”

Favorite Meal: “My mother’s homemade pizza.”

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “I just munch on it dry, without milk. Honey Bunches & Oats. Any granola.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate.”

First Job: “Carvel Ice Cream Store, in Levittown, NY (age 15).”

First Car: “Like a pistachio-colored Chevy Monte Carlo.”

Pre-Fight Feeling: “I get myself amped up. I think about a lot of different things. Most important, I try to stay focused. Think about all the training, all the hard work. Then I think about deeper things like friends that are gone. Things that pissed me off. Channel the energy. Think about the chance I have, how lucky I am to be here to fight. Remind myself to keep my wits and stay focused. I’m just very anxious. Just want the bell to ring so I can get in there.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “I’ll tell you, one of the defining moments is when I beat Jean Jacques Machado in Abu Dhabi (2000). What’s special about that is that he’s a legend in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I showed I was on that level…that I could compete with such a legend in the sport. Where nobody gave me much of a chance.”

Most Painful Moment: “I guess it would have to be the Shonie Carter fight. At the time it was painful. Any time you don’t get the victory, it could be bad. It didn’t help that I got knocked out. And it was my debut. The fight itself I’m not ashamed of. In hindsight, it definitely helped me for my future fights. Because it changed me as a fighter. It made me work on my weak areas, my mistakes. To the point where I no longer consider them weaknesses.”

Worst Injury: “I tore my right bicep three weeks before I fought Kelly Dullanty. I was boxing and got caught with a very wide right. It still looks kind of freaky. Now it’s noticeably smaller.”

Funny Fighting Memory: “I just got a call here at my academy (Serra Jiu-Jitsu) from a guy asking me how long he would have to train to get into the UFC.”

Favorite Fights: “I enjoy my fights the most, but to say them would be cheesy. The one that really had an impact on me, that got me into UFC was Royce Gracie vs. Jason DeLucia on that old videotape ‘Gracie In Action II.’ How Gracie took him down in all these different positions. Just abused him till he verbally submitted. Before that I thought I was a tough guy. That fight made me learn Jiu-Jitsu. I knew I had to go to the edge of the earth to learn Jiu-Jitsu. That fight opened my eyes. There are so many good fights out there. I like Carlos Newton vs. Pele. That was a very nice fight. It sticks out in my mind for some reason.”

People Most Admired: “I like down-to-earth people. I don’t care what you do for a living or what rank you have in Martial Arts. I’m not a big fan of stuck-up or materialistic people. I like down-to-earth, people that are easy to hang out with.”