Planet Tyrus — Matt Serra: Biting an Ear Changed Everything
Podcast: Planet Tyrus
Host: Tyrus
Guest: Matt Serra
Date: February 12, 2026
Episode Overview
Former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Serra joins Tyrus for a wide-ranging, animated discussion that blends combat sports, personal journeys, and family anecdotes—infused with trademark humor and honesty. They dig into the unpredictable turns of fighting careers, mental health, family legacies in sports, and even their mutual admiration for comic books. The theme centers on how pivotal moments and “happy accidents” can shape a life, with both men sharing their transitions from being combatants to finding new meaning and passion beyond the ring.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Early Injuries and the Famous Ear-Biting Story
00:03–00:22, 07:08–08:40
- Matt Serra recounts a street fight as a young pizza delivery driver that resulted in him biting off a man’s ear—an incident that derailed his plans for a military career.
- “He got me around the neck like this. I ended up biting his ear off... so you know, because of that incident, The Marines in 1992 didn't accept me.” — Matt Serra (07:46)
- This shocking event ultimately diverted Serra onto the path that would lead to martial arts, professional fighting, and the UFC Hall of Fame.
The Evolution of Combat Sports and Grappling
04:33–06:47
- Tyrus and Matt discuss how the perception and training for fighting changed over generations. They highlight the influences of early martial arts tapes and street fighting.
- “When we grew up, you didn't know what real fighting was... you kind of had your opinions, but then my father, when I was 17, showed me these tapes of the Gracie family.” — Matt Serra (05:28)
- They contrast this with today’s young athletes, whose development is shaped by systematic, multi-disciplinary training from childhood.
Mentors, Training, and Turning Pro
09:54–12:57
- Serra credits his teachers, Henzo Gracie and Ray Longo, for pulling him from a mundane job and into a world-class training environment.
- “Henzo Grazie... took me out of a security guard booth... next day I was there... I was just so happy to be doing Jiu Jitsu, just teaching for Henzo.” — Matt Serra (11:07)
- The grind and discipline of training, juxtaposed with the uncertainty of a fighting career, are explored.
Family, Legacy, and Parenting in Sports
13:00–18:57
- Both men reflect on raising athletic children and the complexities of watching their own kids compete.
- “Every time my daughter jumps, I die a little bit.” — Tyrus (16:58)
- Matt shares the evolution of his wife from a non-athlete into a fighter and coach, and the family’s deep involvement in martial arts.
- “It's such a contrast to when I first met her... She's so good. Now she's training my daughter along with Ray Longo, my trainer...” — Matt Serra (18:36)
Resilience, Loss, and Transitioning Out of Professional Fighting
19:03–36:28
- The psychological toll of defeat and the pressure of public careers (“10,000 comments from guys who have never picked up anything besides a spoon”) is dissected.
- Both describe the pivotal moment when the drive to compete fades—a sign that it’s time to move on.
- “There was a time when I heard my name mentioned in an interview... and I didn't give a shit. And that was a bad sign. For a guy that's got to fight in a cage.” — Matt Serra (27:56)
- They discuss the importance of having a post-fighting career, with Serra emphasizing his transition to teaching and podcasting.
- “I was always equal teacher as I was fighter... I do my two podcasts... and I'm at my school six days a week.” — Matt Serra (34:08)
- The struggle many athletes face when leaving the limelight and the stress of finding a new purpose is acknowledged.
- “The fear of the other side is a real thing... Sometimes the game pushes you out.” — Tyrus (31:40)
Fighting, Wrestling, and Performance: Behind the Curtain
21:50–26:04
- Tyrus details pro-wrestling psychology: building matches, the role of 'heels', and how reality blurs with scripted narratives.
- “Good guy out-wrestles you, bad guy cheats, beats him up... Wrestling went wrong when we started having the bad guys out wrestle, out talk the good guys.” — Tyrus (24:44)
- Serra contrasts this with the literalness and unpredictability of real fighting, where “one duck when you should have dodged” changes everything.
Life After the Spotlight and Reinvention
34:08–36:28
-
Serra describes finding purpose in coaching, podcasting, and being present with family—highlighting the necessity of evolving, not lingering past your time.
- “Being man enough to know when to say when... I did it. And it's okay to move on.” — Tyrus (35:25)
- “Every day I feel like I stepped in shit... I’ll never take for granted what I got.” — Matt Serra (36:08)
Comic Books, Creative Passions, and Storytelling
36:28–41:06
- Both men geek out over comic books and graphic novels.
- “I'm a comic book guy, man.” — Matt Serra (36:28)
- Tyrus discusses creating his own graphic novel inspired by horseshoe crabs’ super-immune system.
- “Imagine if a person had that kind of DNA... you shot him, he lives, you can’t shoot him again.” — Tyrus (38:05)
- Shared appreciation for telling stories, taking creative risks, and encouraging reading in kids.
- Plans to collaborate or inject their fight personas into future comic adventures is playfully discussed.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
“He got me around the neck like this. I ended up biting his ear off... so you know, because of that incident, The Marines in 1992 didn't accept me.”
— Matt Serra (07:46)
“If you can play your sport in water...there's just a certain guys, like...they look very calm out there.”
— Tyrus (10:48)
“Being man enough to know when to say when. Because society will be like, 'oh, man, he's scared now. He doesn’t have anymore.' No, no, I had it. I did it. And it’s okay to move on.”
— Tyrus (35:25)
“There was a time when I heard my name mentioned in an interview... and I didn't give a shit. And that was a bad sign. For a guy that's got to fight in a cage.”
— Matt Serra (27:56)
“It's such a contrast to when I first met her... Now she's training my daughter along with Ray Longo, my trainer...”
— Matt Serra (18:36)
“Imagine if a person had that kind of DNA... you shot him, he lives, you can't shoot him again.”
— Tyrus (38:05)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:03–00:22: Serra recounts the ear-biting incident that changed his life.
- 05:28–06:47: Discovering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and its impact on fighting culture.
- 09:54–12:57: Training under Henzo Gracie and finding purpose in martial arts.
- 13:00–18:57: Family sports legacies and parenting aspirations.
- 27:56–28:43: Recognizing when it's time to retire as an athlete.
- 34:08–36:28: Life after fighting; teaching, podcasting, and gratitude.
- 36:28–41:06: Comic books, graphic novels, and storytelling inspiration.
Tone & Flow
High-energy, real talk mixed with wit—a signature of both Tyrus and Matt Serra. Unfiltered perspectives collide with warmth, vulnerability, and humor, making this a deeply engaging and multi-layered episode, accessible to listeners from all walks of life. The episode blends behind-the-scenes sports insight with relatable everyday struggles about family, legacy, and moving forward.
For anyone wanting candid stories at the intersection of sports, family, and self-reinvention—with a healthy side of comic geekery—this episode delivers.