Fightin' Words

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Combatwire -- New York

By Joe Fernandez

Right now the former UFC champion is taking a break from the usual rigorous training regimen, but as the leaves turn color, Matt Serra turns back to all business.

Despite taking some time off, the Long Island product still managed to watch the main event of the UFC 85 card on Saturday, which featured Thiago Alves delivering a devastating knee to the head of Matt Hughes, knocking out the former champion and earning the win. But all Serra wanted to talk about was Hughes' next match.

"I knew regardless of that fight whether he won or lost that I'd be the next fight," Serra said. "Nothing is signed yet, but that's the fight that I believe the UFC will be looking to make...Hopefully by late fall we can do this."

Originally Serra was supposed to defend his title last December against Hughes, but two herniated discs in his back forced the East Meadow native out of the fight. Current champion Georges St. Pierre stepped in and fought Hughes for the interim welterweight title and won by armbar submission. St. Pierre then defeated Serra by referee stoppage in April at UFC 83 in Montreal for the undisputed title.

"It's a fight that he wants, that I want, the fans want," Serra said. "Noboby is going to be a supporter of both Matt Hughes and myself. It's either one or the other."

The 34-year-old Serra has compiled a 16-5 mixed martial arts record and is 6-5 in the UFC. He originally earned the title at UFC 69 in April of 2007 with a first-round referee stoppage against Georges St. Pierre.

"I have to punch guys in the face, guys I like, nice guys like Georges St. Pierre and Chris Lytle," Serra said. "You think I'm not going to want to jump at a chance to fight Matt Hughes? Come on."

By Joe Fernandez

Superhuman conditioning and superior wrestling ability are two things that Urijah Faber is known for.

Now after Sunday night's title defense against mixed martial arts veteran Jens Pulver, tactical boxing can be thrown into the mix as well.