MATT SERRA deserves at least the same amount of respect as NICK DIAZ, if not more...

JudgeIto · 07-07-2007, 02:53 AM

Matt Serra and Nick Diaz have both had huge upsets in the past year and similar records over the past 5 years and yet the reaction both get on this board are almost diametrically the opposite. Where's the hate coming from?

Diaz, after losing a number of close fights (especially to Parysian, Riggs, and Sanchez) was commeded here for how close he made the fight and yet, when Serra has lost a number of real close decisions, he hasn't gotten the same treatment. Look at his losses:
His loss against Din Thomas was extremely close, with Din winning by evading Serra the entire time.
The loss against Shonie was a fluke, as the spinning elbow saved what would have been a definite decision win by Serra.
He definitely lost to Karo, but that was a good fight. Serra almost KO'ed Karo, but Karo persevered and won. Props to Karo.
Most importantly, IMO Serra won the Penn fight. Under Pride, Penn would have won by damage, but under UFC rules, Penn definitely lost rounds 2 and 3. An interesting aspect of this fight is that you had BJ, known for his BJJ, avoiding the ground at all costs (This is a familiar theme in fights with Serra).

Even, when Serra has won, people treat him with disdain. His decision win over Lytle, IMO, was justified. Yes, it was a boring fight, but I don't see it totally as Serra's fault. If Lytle couldn't do anything to offensively against Serra, that was Lytle's fault and not Serra. Yes, Serra couldn't take down Lytle, but at least he was attempting something.

Lastly, Diaz is far from a class act. He attacks people in hospital rooms, talks shit about people's family, etc., while Serra just speaks his mind as is criticized for it. No one calls Diaz trash, while disparaging remarks are made about Serra b/c he spoke out against the Golden Child, GSP, for what he took as a slight and for his straight up talk about Hughes. As many of the people on this board can attest, Serra is one of the nicest people in MMA and one hell of a fighter.

I think some of the hate comes from a general disdain for ground fighters in general (not totally, people love Nog, BJ, etc.). People called Dan Henderson "Decision Dan" and complained about Lindland being boring until they both started knocking people out. Until Arona, Filho, Marquardt, Lutter, and Serra start KO'ing more people, I guess they'll never get love on this board?

MMA Fighta · 07-07-2007, 02:56 AM

I've always liked the dude but people who are newer to MMA really haven't seen Matt Serra fight before the TUF series and GSP fight. Also, Matt comes off a little cocky.

lilduvessa · 07-07-2007, 02:57 AM

After he knocks out Hughes he will get it

MMA Fighta · 07-07-2007, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilduvessa

After he knocks out Hughes he will get it

Yup lmao.

dredd57 · 07-07-2007, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilduvessa

After he knocks out Hughes he will get it

Yeah cause Serra has lots of KO power.

One TKO victory in which he had to pound GSP over half a dozen times before the match was finally stopped and everybody thinks he's a knockout artist. Serra has ONE good victory, everybody needs to stop sucking his balls.

Ebay · 07-07-2007, 03:05 AM

I think the main reason that Diaz is more respected here is because people are maybe a bit more sympathetic considering how he got robbed by the NSAC.

Also, his win over Gomi didn't come off (to me at least) as a fluke. Aside from Gomi hitting Nick with a few big shots, Nick got the better standing and eventually finished with one of the most obscure submissions in MMA.

jamison_lee5 · 07-07-2007, 03:05 AM

someones a gsp fan^^^^^

JudgeIto · 07-07-2007, 04:30 AM

I think the Serra v. Hughes fight will be a stand-up match as Hughes' trouble in the past has come from BJJ guys: Penn, Charuto, Hallman (not necessarily a BJJ guy, but he won through submission).

FightClub88 · 07-07-2007, 04:38 AM

Serra should get mad respect. He's been involved in MMA for a long time and is a bjj world champion. He's had his ups and downs but how can you not respect a guy that keeps at it and eventually wins a belt via huge upset. I just think people think his win over GSP was a fluke thats all. Personally, I give the guy credit for beating GSP but I doubt he'd bet GSP again. GSP is, IMO, a better fighter than Serra. Matt just had his number that day for some reason.

Respect Serra, but realize that beating GSP does not mean he is a better overall fighter. I would take GSP in the rematch without a doubt.

JalacoJones · 07-07-2007, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudgeIto

Matt Serra and Nick Diaz have both had huge upsets in the past year and similar records over the past 5 years and yet the reaction both get on this board are almost diametrically the opposite. Where's the hate coming from?
...

I am not sure what you are talking about. What was the huge upset that Diaz had? Diaz was about +250 on the odds when he fought Gomi. Wasn't Serra at about +800. These are no where near the same level of upset. I may be a little partial as I made $500 on Diaz, but plenty of people knew that if went to the ground Diaz could sub Gomi. VERY few people expected Serra to beat GSP standing.

These are barely even similar.