UFC 83: Matt Serra Looks to Shock the World a Second Time

The rematch between Matt Serra and Georges St. Pierre is quickly approaching.

It's the UFC's first major show in Canada. The show promises one of the most anticipated rematches in UFC history.

I was recently asked what was going to be the deciding factor of the fight. After some thinking and watching a few fights, I came to a conclusion – training.

St. Pierre is still training with Greg Jackson and his team. Jackson runs one of my favorite MMA camps. Keith Jardine, Rashard Evans, and Nate Marquardt are some of the fighters who have come out of the camp. 

When training, it is imperative to get a feel for your opponent.

If you’re going to fight Anderson Silva, you better find a lanky south paw with great striking and Muay Thai. If you’re going to fight Matt Serra you find a short stature BJJ black belt.

I am sure St. Pierre has brought in guys that are similar in style to Serra. So when that cage door closes he has already been in this situation hundreds of times.

The question then becomes who Serra trains with in getting ready for "Frenchy."

Where do you find a fighter that does the things that Georges does? Finding someone that strikes or wrestles like St. Pierre isn't the problem, it's finding someone as athletic as St. Pierre. 

The explosiveness and speed of St. Pierre is unmatched anywhere in the world at welterweight. He is learning quickly and his skills are expanding and becoming sharper with every passing day.

Combine brutal training with an elite athlete, it provides problems fighters haven't seen before.

I am not taking anything away from the champion. He won the first fight and he deserves to hold the strap. He beat GSP. No excuses.

However, I don't see Serra being able to rock St. Pierre early in the first round again. Serra hasn't really taken a strike from St. Pierre and hasn't tried to take him down. Serra hasn't had to counter the speed or power of St. Pierre. 

I believe that St. Pierre will win this fight by overwhelming Serra with speed, size, and power.

Look for a TKO in the second round by GSP.