My Problem With Serra as a Cornerman
Let me first start by saying that overall I think Matt Serra has done a great job as a coach on this season’s The Ultimate Fighter. He’s a solid motivator, he’s positive (most of the time), and his team respects him. He is a bit hung up on Matt Hughes and has made this a little more about the coaches rather than the fighters. Yes it sucks to have to lose one of your guys and send him over to team Hughes, but have you ever thought that getting coaching from a wrestler like Hughes could benefit one of your fighters? After all, don’t you want the best for your fighters? It’s not as if sending one of your guys to team Hughes will make him a worse fighter.
But my biggest gripe is Serra’s cornering method. I do appreciate that he is very encouraging, but damn, how many times does he have to tell a fighter, “breathe” and “take your time.” Are these fighters so novice that they don’t remember to breath properly? And what’s up with the constant ”take your time.” There are plenty of times in a fight where you are given an opening that you have to jump on, not hesitate at all. Or if you mount a guy, it isn’t always necessary to slowly and methodically ground and pound. You score mount, what’s wrong with unleashing a flurry of punches?
I guess “taking your time” is why Matt Serra’s previous six fighters (just prior to his win over GSP) all went the distance.
