Phil Baroni

Philip George Baroni (April 16, 1976) is an American former mixed martial artist, kickboxer, boxer, and professional wrestler. Baroni competed in the UFC, PRIDE, Strikeforce, Cage Rage, DREAM, EliteXC, Bellator MMA, Titan FC, Palace Fighting Championship, King of the Cage and ONE FC.

As of January 2023, Phil Baroni is detained in Valle de Banderas, Mexico, over an alleged murder of his girlfriend. Shamrock defeated Baroni, knocking him down with punches in the first round and finishing him off with a rear naked choke in the second round. It was ruled a technical submission victory for Shamrock as Baroni was choked unconscious before he could tap. Baroni stated many times that he was not going to tap anyway.

Steroid use Following the Shamrock fight, the California State Athletic Commission announced that Baroni tested positive for two types of anabolic steroids, boldenone and stanozolol. Baroni appealed the $2500 fine and faced a one-year suspension. Ultimately, the fine was upheld although the suspension was reduced to six months.

Baroni had asked that the remaining urine from the test conducted by Quest be sent to the Carlson Company, a laboratory located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While it did not appear among the 40 facilities recommended by the CSAC, Carlson appealed to the fighter as a rare lab that tested for both DNA and steroids.

There was not enough of a sample for the lab to determine the identity of its owner, though Carlson apparently had enough to determine the sample they received from Quest did not contain boldenone or stanozolol.

ICON Sport Baroni faced Hawaii's Kala Hose on March 15, 2008 for the vacant ICON Sport Middleweight title. Former champion Robbie Lawler was stripped of the title due to his inability to defend it on numerous occasions. While Baroni came out strong during the first round of the fight, his stamina began to fade and Hose started to dominate the fight. Hose ultimately defeated Baroni by TKO early in the fifth round to become the new ICON Sport Middleweight Champion. He signed a multi-fight deal and his return fight was at UFC 106 on November 21, 2009 against TUF 7 winner Amir Sadollah. Sadollah defeated Baroni by unanimous decision.

After a decision loss to Sadollah, Phil Baroni spent 2 months in Phuket, Thailand learning Muay Thai at Tiger Muay Thai (TMT) with legendary coach Kru Yod. He practiced kicks, knees and elbows to improve his striking game. The TMT crew posted videos of Baroni's workouts, showing how the training sessions improved Baroni's stand up technique, and how his work with nutritionists and strength and conditioning coaches had brought Baroni back into good shape in two months.

Baroni stated his intention to return to the Middleweight division.

Baroni was scheduled to face John Salter on August 28, 2010 at UFC 118, however he was forced off the card with an injury.

Baroni next fought TUF 11 alumnus Brad Tavares at UFC 125. After dropping Tavares with a left hook early, Baroni was caught with a high kick in the later part of the round with Tavares eventually securing the TKO victory. At the post-fight interview with Ariel Helwani, Baroni said that he was expecting to be cut from UFC, but would not quit. Baroni was then subsequently released.

He left the UFC with a record of 3 wins and 7 losses.

Post UFC After his UFC release, less than two weeks later, Baroni signed a new multi-fight contract with Titan Fighting Championships. He fought at Titan Fighting Championships 17 against Nick Nolte. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Baroni returned from shoulder surgery against local favorite Chris Holland on June 2, 2012 at Ring of Fire 43: Bad Blood. Baroni dominated Holland in the first round, taking Holland down multiple times and landing heavy punches that opened a gash above Holland's left eyebrow. Baroni was visibly tired heading into the second round and was rocked by multiple hooks from Holland, Baroni ended up losing via TKO due to punches in the second round.

ONE Fighting Championship On July 18 it was announced that Baroni would be facing Yoshiyuki Yoshida at ONE Fighting Championship: Champion vs. Champion at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on September 3. Baroni lost the fight via unanimous decision. After the fight Baroni had surgery on a shoulder injury which had affected him since college.

Baroni was scheduled to face Roger Huerta at ONE FC: Destiny of Warriors on June 23 but he was pulled from the fight after his TKO loss to Chris Holland on June 2.

On August 31, 2012 Baroni faced Rodrigo Ribeiro at ONE FC: Pride of a Nation. Baroni stunned Ribeiro with the first punch he threw, Baroni chased a wobbly Ribeiro landing heavy punches as the Brazilian retreated; Baroni then knocked Ribeiro down with a punch combination and finished the fight due to soccer kicks and punches just sixty seconds into round one. Baroni became the first man to ever knock out Ribeiro, the 60-second victory marks Baroni's first knockout win in over four years.

Baroni represented ONE FC in a fighter-sharing program at Dream 18 on December 31, 2012 against Hayato Sakurai. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Baroni next appeared on the ONE FC 9: Rise to Power card against Nobutatsu Suzuki. He lost the fight by knockout.

Bellator MMA It was announced on March 13, 2014 that Baroni had signed a deal with Bellator MMA, and was expected to make his debut against Jesus Martinez on May 2, 2014. However, Baroni was forced out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by Ryan Contaldi.

Baroni faced Karo Parisyan in his debut fight at Bellator 122 on July 25, 2014. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Baroni was cut from the promotion after defending the rapist and kidnapper War Machine, trying to justify domestic violence. War Machine was a close friend and training partner of Baroni. War Machine was also a steroid user.

MMA commentating Since April 2009, Baroni has occasionally worked as an MMA commentator for the MMA Big Show fight organization, Tachi Palace Fights, and India's Super Fight League.

Professional wrestling In 2014, Baroni began training to become a professional wrestler at D'Lo Brown Pro Wrestling Academy.

On March 18, 2016 Baroni was announced to wrestle at Pro Wrestling Syndicate Super Card 2016 against former ECW superstar New Jack on June 11 at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey.

On April 4, 2019 Baroni took part in the second annual GCW Bloodsport professional wrestling event. He faced off and defeated Dominic Garrini, however his victory was later overturned to a loss by disqualification after he attacked the referee.

Bare knuckle boxing World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation In the fall of 2018, Baroni returned to bare knuckle boxing. He faced Chris Leben at the World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation debut card on November 9, 2018. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Baroni was next expected to face fellow UFC veteran Thiago Alves at BKFC 13 on September 19, 2020. However, Baroni was removed from the card due to the organization not being able to reach him, and was replaced by Julian Lane.

Film career Baroni appeared in several independent films, credited as "Man in Club" and "Weightlifter 2." He was credited in 2018 as มนุษย์ยิม in a Thai film. Murder arrest Baroni was arrested in Mexico for allegedly murdering his girlfriend in early January 2023. His girlfriend was pronounced dead after being found beaten, bruised, and bloody on a bed following an argument in which Baroni threw her inside a shower with force.

Personal life Baroni was formerly represented by sports agent Ken Pavia, but after his move to American Kickboxing Academy, Baroni was managed by Bob Cook and DeWayne Zinkin of Zinkin Entertainment and Sports Management. Baroni is now managed by pro MMA fighter and professional wrestler Matt "The Granimal" Granahan's the American Combat Association since his move to professional wrestling along with other UFC stars turned pro wrestlers, such as Kamal Shalorus and UFC Hall of Famers Stephan Bonnar and Dan Severn. Before becoming a professional fighter, Baroni worked various jobs including construction, delivering pizzas, bouncing, and as a car salesman.

Career accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Encyclopedia Awards Fight of the Night (Four times) Knockout of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Sai Wang Submission (rear-naked choke) Rebel FC 9

Shanghai, China Win

Matt Lagler TKO (punches) KOTC: Under Siege

Alpine, California, United States Loss

Karo Parisyan TKO (punches) Bellator 122

Temecula, California, United States Loss

Nobutatsu Suzuki TKO (punches) ONE FC: Rise to Power

Pasay, Philippines Loss

Hayato Sakurai Decision (unanimous) DREAM 18

Tokyo, Japan Win

Rodrigo Ribeiro TKO (soccer kicks and punches) ONE FC: Pride of a Nation

Manila, Philippines Loss

Chris Holland TKO (punches) Ring of Fire 43: Bad Blood

Denver, Colorado, United States Loss

Yoshiyuki Yoshida Decision (unanimous) ONE FC 1: Champion vs. Champion

Kallang, Singapore Win

Nick Nolte Decision (unanimous) Titan Fighting Championships 17

Kansas City, Kansas, United States Loss

Brad Tavares KO (knees and punches) UFC 125

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Amir Sadollah Decision (unanimous) UFC 106

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Joe Riggs Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Win

Olaf Alfonso Decision (unanimous) PFC 10: Explosive

Lemoore, California, United States Win

Ron Verdadero TKO (punches) ICON Sport: Hard Times

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Scott Jansen KO (punch) Cage Rage 27

London, England Loss

Joey Villaseñor TKO (punches) EliteXC: Primetime

Newark, New Jersey, United States Loss

Kala Hose TKO (punches) ICON Sport: Baroni vs. Hose

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Loss

Frank Shamrock Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Strikeforce Shamrock vs. Baroni

San Jose, California, United States Win

Yosuke Nishijima Technical Submission (kimura) PRIDE 32 The Real Deal

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Kazuo Misaki Decision (unanimous) PRIDE Bushido 11

Saitama, Japan Win

Yuki Kondo KO (punch) PRIDE Bushido 10

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Ikuhisa Minowa Decision (unanimous) PRIDE Bushido 9

Tokyo, Japan Win

Ryo Chonan KO (punch) PRIDE Bushido 8

Nagoya, Japan Win

Ikuhisa Minowa TKO (stomps) PRIDE Bushido 7

Tokyo, Japan Win

Chris Cruit Submission (armbar) Extreme Fighting Challenge 11

Columbus, Ohio, United States Loss

Pete Sell Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 51

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Evan Tanner Decision (unanimous) UFC 48

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Evan Tanner TKO (punches) UFC 45

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Matt Lindland Decision (unanimous) UFC 41

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Dave Menne KO (punches) UFC 39

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Amar Suloev TKO (punches) UFC 37

Bossier City, Louisiana, United States Loss

Matt Lindland Decision (majority) UFC 34

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Robert Sarkozi TKO (punches) WMMAA 1: MegaFights

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Curtis Stout Decision (unanimous) UFC 30

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

John Hayes TKO (punches) Vengeance at the Vanderbilt 9

Plainview, New York, United States Bareknuckle boxing record Loss

Chris Leben TKO (punch) World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation

Casper, Wyoming, United States