Matthew John Serra (born June 2, 1974) is an American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner an mixed martial artist, known for winning several martial arts championships. He is the former UFC Welterweight Champion. He began practicing martial arts at an early age, first studying kung fu. In the 1990s, he began studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Renzo Gracie and on May 23, 2000 was awarded his black belt, the first American to do so under Gracie.