The Learning Experience of The Ultimate Fighter & Matt Serra

By Brett “The Conqueror” Beverly 

Watching this season’s The Ultimate Fighter has been a learning experience. I’ve learned that Matt Serra is a schmuck, Matt Hughes can’t just chill and Dana White is looking for any opportunity to cuss on national television.  But that’s just the beginning.

The show is a tool of the UFC to help promote young fighters into their roster, everyone knows that. This season had something different. In addition to promoting new fighters, the show was used to promote Matt Serra as the welterweight champion.

Yes, the show geared for a Serra-Hughes showdown, but it was also used as a tool to promote Matt Serra as a legitimate champion. How? Time.

The UFC could have allowed Serra to defend his title against Hughes earlier, but in order to bring attention to the “feud,” the organization took the promotional (smart) route.

By allowing Serra to participate on the show, fans would get to see the same guy they enjoyed on “the comeback,” and he would remain champion for the duration. In other words, sneaking the fact that the man I call “The Nanny*”   wouldn’t actually be defending his title, yet the fans would see him on a weekly basis, giving off the illusion of credibility.  

This is not to say that Serra isn’t a legitimate fighter, far from it. The champion has gone the distance with BJ Penn and defeated Ivan Menjivar. Still, his four defeats have come to fighters who are considered to be of a different “class” than Serra; Din Thomas, Shonie Carter, Karo Parisyan and BJ Penn.

This brings me back to The Ultimate Fighter, in an attempt to capitalize on Serra’s title run, likeability from “The Comeback,” and feud with Matt Hughes, Dana White made the new champion one of the coaches.

Things seemed to have backfired for Serra. Before the show ever hit the airwaves, obsessive bloggers (like yours truly) and forum freaks quickly jumped on the fact that Serra wasn’t going to be defending his title. 

Then, once the show started, it became obvious that Serra had created the “feud” all by himself. The show who go on to show the champion as a pompous and egotistical coach who’s main focus is on getting camera time by insulting Hughes behind his back.

While Hughes isn’t someone I want to go drinking with, he is who he is.

The result isn’t bad for the UFC; it’s just bad for Matt Serra. At UFC 78, the camera turned to a very confident Matt Serra, only to have a chorus of boos reign down.

Now, less than a month before his showdown with Hughes, Serra’s going to be sitting on his couch rather than defending his belt. Is he injured? I’m sure he is, but the mere fact that he’s not going to be defending his title has increased the anti-Serra mantra to new levels.

Now, with GSP stepping up and stepping in, the fans get to see a better fight in terms of action. Yet, a sinking feeling still sits in the stomach of fans across the world. If GSP wins, does that mean Hughes and Serra won’t go at it?

Unfortunately I can’t answer that, no one can. Assuming GSP wins, that means that Serra would fight the Canadian for the undisputed title once he returns. But will Hughes be available?

Rumors have been swirling for over a year that the legend may be looking to ride off into the sunset after a final run; losing to Pierre might be that final run.  

PEACE
Brett “The Conqueror” Beverly

CONQUEROR’S NOTE: If I hear Serra yell breathe one more time I’m going to put a chair through my TV. Not once have a heard a useful instruction come from his corner. Other great instructions include, “take your time,” “Slow Down,” and my personal favorite “Don’t you dare let him get that (triangle choke)!” *Gotta thank “D” on MySpace for telling me about “the Nanny” nickname. It’s so obvious, yet so perfect.  I was previously referring to Serra as, “The Human Crust Factory,” and the shorter, more accurate nickname cuts down on my word count. Sweet.