In the Cage – Serra Retires, Okami vs. Souza, No Timetable for Jones’ Return

Each day, The MMA Corner will provide a recap of results, event announcements, fight match-ups, and injuries/cancellations from throughout the world of MMA.

While Matt Serra won’t officially commit and use the ‘R word’, it appears as though the former UFC welterweight champion has officially hung up the four-ounce gloves once and for all.

During a Ring of Combat fight in April in which he was cornering a fighter, Serra felt a pain which eventually landed him in the emergency room for four days after he needed to have one of his ribs removed after tests had revealed he had blood clots in his arm and in his lungs.

“The Terror” defeated Georges St-Pierre for the UFC welterweight championship at UFC 69, handing “Rush” the first and only knockout defeat of his professional career.  The title shot was earned by Serra after he won the fourth season of The Ultimate Fighter.  The New York based fighter held a professional record of 11-7, with a record of 7-7 with the UFC.

While at a UFC 160 media event, UFC president Dana White revealed that a possible middleweight tilt between Yushin Okami and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza is in the works, despite the fight not officially being signed, nor having a potential event to take place at.

Both fighters are currently riding three-fight winning streaks, with the Japanese fighter recently disposing of Hector Lombard, and the Brazilian taking down Chris Camozzi.

When Jon Jones successfully defended his UFC light heavyweight championship against Chael Sonnen at UFC 159, the champion injured his toe which left questions as to when he would be able to return to fighting.  UFC president Dana White confirmed today that “Bones” return could be as short as six weeks, but as long as six months.

According to White, it all depends on how the ligament heals.  The champion’s ligament in the toe was torn, and a steady blood flow helps heal a torn ligament.  Unfortunately for Jones, the human toe does not receive a major amount of blood flow.

When former World’s Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski returns to fight next month, it will be against UFC veteran Sean McCorkle.

“Big Sexy” is coming off of a three fight losing streak after winning six straight after his time with the UFC.  “Pudzian” has been victorious in his last two fights.

KSW 23 takes place on June 8 in Gdansk, Poland.