Serra Injured, Off UFC 79 Card

[CNorris]

Serra Injured, Withdraws From UFC 79 Card

UFC President Dana White announced Thursday

that Matt Serra will have to withdraw from the UFC 79 card due to an injury he suffered after his training earlier this week.

The current UFC welterweight champion, who was scheduled to fight Matt Hughes at UFC 79, suffered a herniated disc in his lower back on Monday following a routine training session in his Long Island gym.
“This is devastating news because they were so looking forward to fighting each other, said White.

“Unfortunately injuries happen and I look forward to Serra recovering quickly, and to getting him back into the Octagon.”

Serra had just finished a Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling training session and was demonstrating a move when he became gripped with pain and fell to the floor. Serra went to the hospital and underwent an MRI, which revealed the herniated discs in his lower back.

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” said Serra. “I’ve never had a back injury before; I could hardly get off of the MRI table. There is no way I can train through this, and I’m devastated, especially because this was such an important fight. I was looking forward to fighting Matt Hughes. All my training was going phenomenally until Monday – All I can do now is to get better and to fight again as soon as possible.”

This sucks, I was really hoping to see Hughes shut Serra's big cocky mouth up.

So who will be the replacement? Anyone think an interim belt fight will be set up?

[AE14]

I dont think you can have an interim from an injury. If so, make it GSP v. Hughes 3 so Hughes will finally STFU

[Dancebot 2000]

This is such garbage. They made us wait so long for Serra to defend his title, and now this happens.

[Rodja]

This is a good time for GSP/Hughes III. They need a 2nd marquee match for this card and this fight lines up perfectly. There is still 5 weeks until the fight, which is a decent amount of time to prepare.

[jas123]

That blows. They should come up with something to replace it. Disc injuries aren't fun, though.

[Mulletsoldier]

Lord I ****ing hate Matt Serra. This unfortunately delays the beating GSP will eventually lay upon him.

[AE14]

I agree, make GSP-Hughes III winner gets Serra, now is the time to book it

[Lightning]

This is a good time for GSP/Hughes III. They need a 2nd marquee match for this card and this fight lines up perfectly. There is still 5 weeks until the fight, which is a decent amount of time to prepare.

I agree 100%. I have a feeling that we're going to wait a long time for Serra/Hughes.

[Rodja]

I agree 100%. I have a feeling that we're going to wait a long time for Serra/Hughes.

Probably around June or so. A back injury is not something to be taken lightly and I hope he comes back completely healthy.

[AE14]

especially herniated discs like that. I hope this does not effect his ability to fight down the line

[vika808]

nah they should give some else a go at hughes like fricken karo or something mix it up alittle.
im just getting sick of huges and GSP there just getting old

[Rodja]

nah they should give some else a go at hughes like fricken karo or something mix it up alittle.
im just getting sick of huges and GSP there just getting old

The only match-up that makes as much since as GSP/Hughes is Fitch/Hughes. Karo/Hughes would not be a fun fight to watch. I think they are both really good fighters, but neither has good enough stand-up to make it really interesting.

[UNCfan1]

This sucks!! I was hoping for Hughes to wear the belt before losing it to GSP! Either way I don't see Serra wearing it much longer.

[vika808]

The only match-up that makes as much since as GSP/Hughes is Fitch/Hughes. Karo/Hughes would not be a fun fight to watch. I think they are both really good fighters, but neither has good enough stand-up to make it really interesting.

well hughes donest have any standup to begin with anyways, and niether does serra it will be an all jiu-jitsu match there any ways , i hate watching rematches its just not hte same i mean twice is enough but when you to like 3 4 times and just gets boring.

[Rodja]

well hughes donest have any standup to begin with anyways, and niether does serra it will be an all jiu-jitsu match there any ways , i hate watching rematches its just not hte same i mean twice is enough but when you to like 3 4 times and just gets boring.

So you would rather watch a wrestler against a judoka??

Hughes/GSP III is going to happen it is just a matter of when. It will be a rubber match and it needs to happen very soon, especially since Hughes has maybe 3 fights left in him. I dislike Matt Hughes, but he needs to settle the series with both GSP and Penn.

[Alexander]

According to mmanews.com the replacement will be either Fitch or Alves. I would like to see Fitch beat Hughes, then GSP would most likely beat Fitch, by that time Serra should be ready to fight. Then we have Serra/GSP II, where Serra will get mauled IMO.

[Rodja]

According to mmanews.com the replacement will be either Fitch or Alves. I would like to see Fitch beat Hughes, then GSP would most likely beat Fitch, by that time Serra should be ready to fight. Then we have Serra/GSP II, where Serra will get mauled IMO.

Fitch is a good replacement and an intriguing match-up for Hughes since Fitch's wrestling is great and I doubt that Hughes will be able to overpower him as well. Plus, this will really solidify Fitch's chance at a WW title shot.

[Alexander]

Fitch is a good replacement and an intriguing match-up for Hughes since Fitch's wrestling is great and I doubt that Hughes will be able to overpower him as well. Plus, this will really solidify Fitch's chance at a WW title shot.

I agree. I would probably rather see Fitch/Hughes than Serra/Hughes, so I can't say I'm too bummed. I actually like Serra, and hope he has a nice full recovery.

[Mulletsoldier]

Well, I despise, truly despise Matt Serra, with a burning intensity not much unlike the burning intensity Jas experience when he urinates. However, I wish him a full recovery that he might be destroyed by GSP in malicious retribution at a later date.

[Rodja]

I agree. I would probably rather see Fitch/Hughes than Serra/Hughes, so I can't say I'm too bummed. I actually like Serra, and hope he has a nice full recovery.

I like Serra as well and I hope that his recovery is swift. So many people discredit the guy, but he is a great fighter and deserves what he has earned in MMA.