Fredy Serrano and the Rise of Empire MMA

From Olympic mats to a promotion on the cusp of greatness

Fredy Serrano’s career has never followed a straight line. It has moved in phases—each one earned, each one built on the last. Olympian. UFC fighter. Coach. Promoter. And now, as Empire MMA approaches its 14th event, Serrano finds himself at the center of something larger than any single fight. He is no longer chasing opportunity. He is creating it.

Forged in Wrestling

Before there was MMA, before there was Empire, there was wrestling. Serrano rose through Colombia’s national wrestling system in an environment where resources were limited and international success was rare. His discipline, technical precision, and consistency earned him a place on the Colombian National Team and, ultimately, a spot at the Olympic Games, competing on the sport’s biggest stage. That Olympic experience shaped Serrano’s identity. Wrestling at that level teaches more than technique—it teaches accountability, structure, and how to perform when nothing can go wrong. Those lessons would become the foundation of everything he did next.

The UFC Chapter

After wrestling, Serrano transitioned into professional mixed martial arts, committing fully to the grind of reinvention. He expanded his skill set, learned the realities of the cage, and worked his way to the highest level of the sport. Serrano competed in the UFC, where he became known for a wrestling-heavy, pressure-driven style and earned a Performance of the Night bonus during his run. While his time in the promotion was measured rather than lengthy, it carried weight—particularly in Colombia, where UFC representation was still uncommon. More importantly, it gave Serrano firsthand experience with elite-level operations: how fighters are developed, how events are run, and what global standards actually look like behind the scenes.

Coming Home With Purpose

When Serrano’s fighting career slowed, he didn’t distance himself from the sport. He returned to Colombia with a question that would shape his future: What happens to talented fighters who don’t have a real platform? Alongside his longtime friend and partner Hector Castro, Serrano helped launch Empire MMA with a simple mission—give local fighters a legitimate place to compete, develop, and be seen. Empire MMA wasn’t created to chase hype. It was built to fill a gap. In Colombia and across Latin America, fighters were training hard but lacked consistent, professional opportunities. Empire became the answer: structured matchmaking, real production value, and an emphasis on fairness and development rather than shortcuts.

Building Through Setbacks

Like any serious promotion, Empire MMA faced early challenges—logistics, funding, and the constant pressure of sustainability. Serrano also faced personal professional setbacks along the way, including the loss of key infrastructure at a critical moment. There has long been quiet industry talk—never publicly confirmed—that during one of those moments, a call made by a close friend and partner resulted in immediate assistance from UFC leadership, sent quickly and without publicity. Whether rumor or reality, the story has endured less because of who may have helped, and more because it reflects Serrano’s standing within the fight community. Reputation matters in this sport. Serrano earned his.

Thirteen Events In. Momentum Building.

Empire MMA is no longer an experiment. With 13 events completed and more than 100 professional bouts staged, the promotion has moved beyond survival mode and into structure. Fighters are progressing. Rivalries are forming. International attention is growing. Now, heading into Empire MMA’s 14th event, there is a palpable sense that the promotion is entering a new phase. What once felt grassroots now feels scalable.

Serrano’s Role Today

Fredy Serrano is no longer defined by wins and losses. His influence is felt in standards. He brings Olympic discipline to MMA development. He understands the expectations of the UFC level. And he insists that fighters be prepared not just to compete—but to advance. Within Empire MMA, Serrano represents credibility. Alongside Hector Castro’s relentless drive and operational leadership, the promotion has grown into one of the most respected fight platforms in the region.

On the Cusp of Something Bigger

Empire MMA was built for local kids who needed a place to fight. Fourteen events in, it has become something more: a proving ground, a pipeline, and a promotion approaching its breakthrough moment. As Empire MMA continues to grow, Serrano’s journey comes full circle—from representing Colombia on the world’s biggest stages to helping ensure the next generation doesn’t have to leave home to be discovered.

This is no longer about one man’s career.

It’s about an empire taking shape.

And it’s just getting started.