Matt Serra Says \"Bring on The Hate\" To Montreal

Matt Serra is ready to fight in front of George St. Pierre's hometown crowd. (MMAweekly.com Photo)

Saturday, April 19 in Montreal, Canada, UFC champion Matt Serra (9-4-0) will defend his welterweight title against hometown hero, and former champ, Georges "Rush" St. Pierre (15-2-0).

Talking with Slam! Sports, Serra says he's ready to face a hostile reception from the Canadian crowd.

"Bring on the hate, man. Boo for me. That's great," Serra explains. "I have a lot of friends, family, a lot of students, a lot of people who care for me, who love me. I can use some enemies."

In their first encounter last April, Serra beat St. Pierre by TKO in a dramatic first-round upset. Despite the win, he knows he'll be the underdog again for the re-match, but says this first victory was no accident.

"Anybody who saw the last fight, and they're not mentally challenged, know I was winning the exchanges," he says. "It was an upset yes, but in no way it was a fluke, but I think some people still believe that."

Official Fight Card for UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre 2
Saturday, Apr. 19, Montreal, Canada

Matt Serra vs. Georges St-Pierre
Rich Franklin vs. Travis Lutter
Michael Bisping vs. Charles McCarthy
Sam Stout vs. Rich Clementi
Jason MacDonald vs. Joe Doerksen
Ed Herman vs. Demian Maia
Mark Bocek vs. Mac Danzig
Jonathan Goulet vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka
Kalib Starnes vs. Nate Quarry
Patrick Cote vs. TBA

Bet on UFC Fights in the Bodog Sportsbook.

All lines subject to change.