Matt Serra Has One More Reason To Win UFC 98

If there is one thing I have loved in my life, it is the privilege I have had to witness so many births and be able to assist in being a part of God's miracle of life.

What an indescribable feeling!

New parents are so beautiful when they meet the small bundle of life that they have created.

A hopeful and optimistic moment that reaffirms their life has meaning that some part of their love will be carried on into the future.

Obviously, I am a very sentimental old woman and adore babies.

Naturally, since I also love MMA, when one of my favorite fighters becomes a new father, I get all soft and mushy inside and anxious to finally see a picture of the new babe.

This picture was on Matt's Facebook in an album. Isn't it a great photo of both the proud father and his newborn baby girl?  

Matt Serra is one of my favorite fighters and I appreciate the brashness and in-your-face frankness with which he approaches life. 

I lost my father at a young age and must admit that I am pulled by my heartstrings when someone whom I admire like Matt becomes the father of a little girl.

How lucky this child is to be brought into Serra's large, loving, Italian family. She has a very beautiful mother and so many loving people surrounding her.

When Matt Serra beat Georges St-Pierre, my first statement was, "Wow! What a great story Matt will have to tell his children about!" I am not sure that he and Ann had married yet, but I was elated that he would leave a proud legacy for his family.

Now he will be able to meet Matt Hughes in the octagon as a true equal, as both have children.

If anyone remembers, Hughes was very critical about the language his rival on TUF 6 used, saying he wouldn't be able to let his children view the show. And curiously he was not talking about the reason I get upset about the TUF shows: Dana every-other-word-is-the-F-word White! How interesting and selective of Mr. Hughes!

Matt Serra is more honest and realistic than his counterpart Matt Hughes, and knows who the biggest sh*t talker and threat to family values on all UFC shows is, and his initials are DW, same as mine.

When UFC 98 rolls around I am firmly in Serra's corner. Not just because he is less hypocritical than is Hughes, but because I believe that although he has received less recognition, he is much more skilled in MMA than Hughes and has shown more growth through the years.

Not only is Serra current in his BJJ skills, he has instructed this martial art for years at his own schools in New York. He has become a very adept, if somewhat height challenged, boxer. I mention this not being at all critical, but because Hughes has called Serra "a small man." Ironically, my exact estimation of Hughes' character.

Long time friend, former boxer and now Serra's boxing coach, Ray Longo has given him his knowledge and strategy, which won the Welterweight title for Serra in his now legendary and oft mentioned upset of Georges St. Pierre, changing both men's lives forever. 

As Serra mentioned in an interview that has often been quoted, "Matt Hughes is a one-trick pony, but he knows that trick (wrestling), very well."

Because Matt Hughes has been known as "the best WW UFC fighter of all time," beating him could be quite a challenge for Matt Serra.

He will have a definite advantage in his striking ability; Hughes has never been known as being much of a striker.

If the fight goes to the ground, where Hughes as a wrestler will want to go, Serra has the use of all his Gracie BJJ skills.

On my part, I am in Serra'a corner emotionally, if not physically, so I am all set for a victory.

It would not be any different for me if my own father were fighting on this one.