Comments on: Matt Serra Withdraws from UFC 79

By: zero

zero — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:21:46 +0000

you are kidding me. I was wanting to see this fight so bad, i know serra would roll right thru hughes and no one belives me…. i guess more than the fight i want to see the shock, i hear hughes is going to fight st. pierre

By: Vampslayr

Vampslayr — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 16:08:07 +0000

Howie, there are reports circulating that Serra “may” require surgery and “may” be out of competitive action for up to a year. If that is the case, that “could” have the belt not being defended for upwards of 1 1/2 years.

Serra would still come into a fight with whoever is champion when he’s healthy (hopefully sooner than later) and would still have a rematch with both GSP and Hughes (even if neither are champ when he’s healthy…ie Fitch becomes champion during his layoff).

If in fact Serra will be on the shelf for an extended period of time, I fully agree with their decision. There are too many talented and deserving fighters who are worthy of a title shot in 2008. Not doing an “interim title match” means putting off deserving title matches next year while we all wait for Serra to return. If in fact Serra is able to return in a few months, then he automatically gets a match with the winner (GSP/Hughes).

Howie, I respectfully disagree with the notion that the UFC is being unfair to Serra. If they didn’t do this scenario, he may feel pressured to come back too soon and not be at 100%. This allows him as much time as needed to fully recover and we’ll see the best Matt Serra when he returns.

By: Howie

Howie — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:18:27 +0000

…An interim title match is not playing fair cards for Matt Serra. UFC got that one wrong, bigtime !

By: Howie

Howie — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:16:05 +0000

The UFC gave GSP a break prior to UFC 69 after his injury, why not give Serra a break for after UFC 79 ? Complete BS on behalf of the UFC!!

By: Vampslayr

Vampslayr — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 05:26:46 +0000

26- sean – I stand corrected. I guess Hughes vs Serra will be huge no matter if it’s for the title or not. Apparently the UFC agrees.

By: Vampslayr

Vampslayr — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 05:24:56 +0000

4 – kickinthehead – good call on GSP vs Hughes for interim title

By: UFC Roundup: Rumored Bouts for UFC 80, UFC 81, UFC Fight Night 12 and More | UFC Daily

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 15:49:36 +0000

[...] Thiago Alves were potential replacements to face Matt Hughes at UFC 79 following Matt Serra’s withdrawal from the card. While Alves remains a possibility Fitch will be unavailable to take the fight. [MMA [...]

By: Vampslayr

Vampslayr — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 15:11:20 +0000

Sean, the only problem with that scenario is that it possibly eliminates the chance of the Hughes vs Serra match for the title, which was the whole point of them coaching against each other. Serra vs Hughes would still be a big fight, but the UFC will want that to be a title fight.

By: sean

sean — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 07:46:46 +0000

GSP Vs. Hughes for interim belt.. winner fights serra when he’s healthy. How bout that joe rogan vs. wesley snipes fight I was hearing about for so long that seems to not ever surface.. Ha Ha

By: FixXeR

FixXeR — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:35:50 +0000

Put the title up for grabs….he hasnt fought since April.