Ray Longo says the famed Serra-Longo era is nearing its end, revealing that his longtime gym is “almost closed” while reflecting on his coaching legacy during Chris Weidman’s UFC Hall of Fame induction weekend.
Speaking on the red carpet Friday at T-Mobile Arena before Weidman’s induction, Longo looked back on the rise of his Long Island room, which he opened in 1990 and gradually expanded as his fighters found success. “I'm super close with Chris. We did this out of a 3,500-square-foot gym. Nobody realized how small it was. Just the camaraderie we had. I'll tell you when (Matt) Serra won the title, it was a 2,500-square-foot gym. We really went big time. We added another 1,000 square feet. Then for (Aljamain Sterling) and Merab (Dvalishvili), we added another 2,000 and went to 5,500. But anyway, I think that's the story, that all of these guys were five minutes from the gym. They threw their first punch with me in a pro MMA fight and I'm just happy it worked out.”
“It was a special time,” Longo said, later adding, “I think it's almost closed at this point. I hate to say it.”
Longo credited Matt Serra as a crucial partner throughout the run. “I wouldn't be here without Matt Serra. Even though he was always gracious to put me in front of everybody and have me have the limelight, there wasn't a decision made without me consulting him. We talked every day. We still talk every day and I want to make sure he gets in there. It really isn't about me. It's really about me and him. We were the team.”
