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Matt Serra is Rocky F'N Balboa:Serra vs. GSP at the next UFC PPV
The world isn't always sunshine and rainbows. Its a very mean and nasty
place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees
and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody else will ever
hit as hard as life... But It isn't about how hard you hit, its about how hard
you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving
foward! -Rocky Balboa
Matt Serra represents the heart of NYC (even though he's a Long Island boy).
Matt Serra to me is a legend, and is a standup guy that I hope to be one day if
I continue the path of training at Renzo Gracie's gym.
Matt Serra started his MMA career doing martial arts as a kid,
encouraged from his father. He later found Brazilian Jiu Jitsu via Renzo Gracie,
and started his real Martial Arts training. He became the first black belt
promoted by a Gracie that wasn't Brazilian.
For those that don't' know, that is a big F'n deal in the sport of MMA and
the legacy of Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Matt Serra's Jiu Jitsu is so respected
that BJ Penn was tentative on the ground with him and won a CONTROVERSIAL
decision (Many people thought Serra won that fight).
Matt Serra's Jiu Jitsu is so respected that George St Pierre wouldn't take
him to the ground in their fight and ended up getting knocked out. While
the hardcore MMA people think Serra is a fluke and an underdog in this upcoming
fight, they don't know that in reality Serra is walking into this fight as if
he's Rocky going against Drago in Rocky 4.
Serra has all the odds stacked against him. In November of 2007, Serra
was training to face Matt "The Stitch Ripper Pig slitter" (Those that
read his book know what I'm talking about) Hughes. Serra was at his gym
training with Matt Arroyo and hurt his back. It was diagnosed by a Dr. as
a herniated disc in his back. It was said that on Thanksgiving of that
year his brother had to actually tie his shoes for him. And here we are in March
and he is training to face one of the best pure athletes in the sport today.
Serra shows no fear, and makes no excuses for his back.
The odds on Bodog are at about 3-1 in favor of GSP, but mark my words, Serra
will win by KO. In this sport its not all about talent, its about heart.
Its not about how hard you can hit, its about how
hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. Its about how much you
can take, and keep moving forward.
Regardless of the outcome of Serra vs GSP 2 this Spring, Serra will
forever be etched in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts as Rocky Balboa and as a
true legend.
If anyone in NYC, New Jersey or Long Island has any interest in
training MMA, the only place other than Renzo Gracie's gym that I recommend is
Matt Serra's school in Meadow View Long Island.
