By Bryan Levick 
UFC 109 is just nine days away and although I am usually more amped for a card by now, my creative juices are starting to flow.
One big reason is the welterweight showdown between former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra and former two time welterweight contender Frank Trigg.
These two may have different fighting styles but what they do share is an ability to sell a fight and a wealth of big fight experience.
Ten years from now when these two have long been retired people may start to appreciate them for their take on all comers attitude.
At this point, fans either love them or love to hate them. It’s that simple, Trigg & Serra do as much talking outside the octagon as they do inside.
Trigg will be 38 years old come May and has been fighting for over twelve years. Along the way Twinkle Toes has fought the likes of Matt Hughes (2x), Georges St. Pierre, Hayato Sakurai, Jason Miller and Josh Koscheck.
His loss to Koscheck at UFC 103 broke a four fight win streak. Keep in mind those victories came over less than stellar opponents.
Serra hasn’t fought as nearly as often as Trigg has. In fact starting in 2005, Serra has only fought once a year. His record is 2-3 in those bouts.
Serra on the other hand has fought some of the best welterweights in the world. Starting with Karo Parisyan, Serra has fought St. Pierre (2x), Matt Hughes and defeated Chris Lytle to gain a shot at glory, a chance to be a world champion and we all know he capitalized on that opportunity big time.
When I spoke to Serra less than two weeks ago, he stated at this point in his career he was only interested in big fights. Then again that has been his philosophy throughout his entire career.
After his loss at UFC 103, Trigg was very nearly released from the UFC. Now given another chance to stay in the organization, does Trigg have enough left in his tank to defeat Serra.
Serra is coming off a tough loss to former rival Matt Hughes at UFC 98. Hughes walked away with a unanimous decision but not everyone was in agreement that he had won.
It’s hard to criticize either man for the last losses but in Trigg’s case he wasn’t even competitive against Koscheck.
Serra and Hughes did go back and forth with Serra almost finishing the fight in the first round.
Past accolades aside, the loser of this bout may very well be cut from the UFC. It’s pretty much a certainty for Trigg.
As far as Serra is concerned, another loss would be a tough pill to swallow, especially to a man who in Serra’s words, wears a tramp stamp.
Is Serra valuable enough to sustain a loss to Trigg? That’s a tough question, even though his won-loss record isn’t the most impressive, Serra puts on a competitive fight.
Trigg on the other hand hasn’t been able to finish a top 20 fighter since he defeated Miller in 2006.
My best guess is that out of the two, Serra would be more likely to survive a loss than Trigg. Ever since he signed with the organization in 2001 he has never fought anywhere else.
He has helped with the UFC’s quest to legalize MMA in NY and is generally a good company man.
Trigg may not get the same love because today’s UFC fans may not remember his run back in 2005, unless of course they see him being choked out by Matt Hughes!
Time will only tell which one of these 30 something welterweights will still be gainfully employed, my bet is on The Terror.
