170 lbs. Matt Serra vs. Frank Trigg
The opening bout of the evening pits long-time veteran Frank “Twinkle Toes” Trigg against former UFC Welterweight champion Matt “The Terror” Serra. Both men have been around UFC for years, but this is the first time that their paths have crossed. While this one probably isn’t going to shake up any title pictures or have any real serious implications, it is chock full of nostalgia and should be a competitive and exciting fight.
Frank Trigg, a long-time veteran who has faced top competition in a variety of different promotions, has returned to his true home in the UFC to wind down his career. In his first fight back, he was thrown right into the deep end of the division, and predictably came up short against top contender Josh Koscheck. Now, he will get a crack at an opponent more suited to him in the form of Matt Serra. Trigg will enter this fight with some significant advantages, as he is actually quite well-rounded and has good striking and an underrated wrestling game. He will also have a height, size, an reach advantage over Serra, who could probably fight at 155, while Trigg has fought at 185.
The most problematic thing for Trigg in this fight is going to be his submission defense. In the past, Trigg has showed some difficulty dealing with submissions, especially the Rear Naked Choke, and that could be disastrous against a grappler of Serra’s caliber.
Serra, who shocked the world by TKOing Georges St. Pierre and parlaying his Ultimate Fighter win into a Welterweight title reign, is one of the most prolific grapplers in the welterweight division, which everyone knows. Many people underrate his striking game, though, which is crisp and accurate despite his troublingly short arms. Against Trigg, it is unlikely Serra is going to want to trade too many shots, because the height and reach advantage he will give up could spell his end. Don’t expect Serra to be afraid of standing with Trigg, but his gameplan will no doubt be to eventually get Trigg to the ground and exploit his spotty submission defense.
Stylistically, I think the edge goes to Serra. Trigg has some physical advantages, especially his reach, but Serra is very well-rounded and his grappling game is dominant enough that he can impose his will on Trigg when the fight hits the ground. Expect a competitive, back and forth contest, but Serra will take control of the fight late in the second, take Trigg’s back, and secure the rear naked choke for the win.
Fight Prediction: Matt Serra via second round rear naked choke.
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