Phil Baroni

At 48 years old, Phil Baroni has this physical status:

Philip George Baroni (born April 16, 1976) is an American mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, and former kickboxer.

Baroni has competed for UFC, PRIDE, Strikeforce, Cage Rage, DREAM, EliteXC, Bellator MMA, and ONE FC since 2000.

Personal life

Baroni was previously 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. Since being moved to pro wrestling alongside other UFC stars and professional wrestlers such as Kamal Shalorus and UFC Hall of Famers Stephan Bonnar and Dan Severn, Baroni has been ruled by pro MMA fighter and professional wrestler Matt "The Granimal" Granahan's The American Combat Association. Baroni served in a variety of trades, including brick making, bouncing, and car salesman before becoming a professional fighter.

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Mixed martial arts career

Baroni made his UFC debut in only his second professional match at UFC 30 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on December 28, New Jersey. Baroni won by unanimous decision after a close match against Curtis Stout, a fellow striking specialist, was eliminated from the competition. Baroni was undefeated 3-0 before facing Matt Lindland in his second fight with the UFC 34, which Baroni would face later in their careers if they should have a rivalry. Baroni lost by a contest by rule and was awarded his first professional loss. Baroni, on the other hand, would make a name for himself in the UFC with a string of spectacular stoppage victories. On September 27, 2002, his signature victory over former UFC Middleweight Champion Dave Menne was a decisive KO victory over him. After the knockout of Menne, Baroni soared to the top of the cage and declared himself to be the "best eva" after the game.

Baroni rematched Matt Lindland with whom he had previously lost by the judges' decision. Baroni lost by another judge's decision in their rematch against Lindland for the second time in their rematch. At UFC 45 – Revolution, he was then matched up against a fellow of Matt Lindland, the future UFC Middleweight Champion Evan Tanner. Baroni dominated the match against Tanner, but when the fight was called to check a cut on Tanner, Tanner's blood regained, and the tide changed, leading to the referee's suspension of the match due to Baroni's taking many undefended strikes on the ground. This decision was contentious because referee Larry Landless had asked Baroni if he wanted to resign. Baroni said he was asked if he wanted to continue, and said "yes." A tumultuous Baroni struck landless, ending the match. Baroni was then banned for four months for smacking the official. Baroni returned to fight Tanner at UFC 48, but losing by decision.

Despite losing three fights in a row, the UFC matched Baroni against the relatively unknown Pete Sell. Baroni dominated early on with multiple takedowns and a strong hold, but Sell obtained a guillotine choke and Baroni lost consciousness, but then tapped out for the first time in his career, bringing the war to a halt.

Baroni returned to Hammer House shortly thereafter and competed in Japan's PRIDE Fighting Championships, defeating Ikuhisa Minowa, Ryo Chonan, and Yuki Kondo. Baroni was humiliated by Ikuhisa Minowa, whom he had formed a rivalry with, in the Bushido Worlderweight Grand Prix 183 lb (83 kg) tournament in 2005.

In the first round of PRIDE 32, Baroni's first American exhibition, built in 2006, the first American show on October 21, 2006. Baroni chuckled that he didn't know the name of the hold he applied for and only noticed it on television a few days before the fight, revealing it in a post-fight interview.

Following Shamrock's battle with Renzo Gracie, Frank Shamrock and Baroni became engaged in a war of words. On June 22, 2007, the two competed against Barroni, a co-promotion between EliteXC and Strikeforce. Shamrock defeated Baroni by punching him down with punches in the first round and ending him off with a rear naked choke in the second round. Shamrock won a technological submission contest, but Baroni was trapped unconscious before he could tap. Baroni has stated many times that he did not want to tap at any time.

Baroni was tested positive for two forms of anabolic steroids, boldenone and stanozolol, following the Shamrock fight. Baroni appealed the $2500 fine and was banned for one year. The fine was reinstated, but the suspension was reduced to six months in the end.

Baroni had requested that the remaining urine from Quest's urine be sent to the Carlson Company, a Colorado Springs lab. Carlson appealed to the fighter as a unique lab that tested for both DNA and steroids, although it did not appear in the CSAC's 40 facilities.

There was never enough samples for the lab to determine the identity of the lab's owner, though Carlson was able to determine that Quest's sample did not contain boldenone or stanozolol.

Baroni defeated Kala Hose of Hawaii on March 15, 2008 for the vacant ICON Sport Middleweight title. Robbie Lawler, the former champion, was barred from receiving the award due to his inability to defend it on several occasions. Although Baroni came out strong in the first round of the fight, his stamina began to fade and Hose began to dominate the match. Hose ultimately defeated Baroni by TKO early in the fifth round to become the new ICON Sport Middleweight Champion.

In the first ever live television broadcast of MMA on CBS, Baroni defeated Joey Villasenor. Baroni struck Villasenor's high kick, bringing him down to the ground, where Baroni threw punches from guards. Baroni let Villasenor stand up, but Baroni was struck a few times and put into a guillotine choke. Villasenor started choking Baroni with unanswered punches that stunned him, causing the referee to call the game off at 1:11 p.m. in the first round. This was Baroni's second straight TKO loss.

Baroni made his Cage Rage and Welterweight debut against British fighter Scott Jansen on July 12, 2008. He started the fight with a knockdown and came close to ending the game with an armbar with which he seemed to hyperextend Jansen's arm. Following a standoff call from the referee, the two fighters exchanged blows, Baroni striking the right to the body and a right-handed punch to Jansen's chin. Jansen collapsed, his head bouncing off the ground.

Baroni went to check on Jansen and was confronted by Jansen's brother who had stepped into the cage with the cornermen.

He lost to Joe Riggs at Strikeforce: Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 6, 2009.

Baroni's return to action in the UFC in late 2009 was in the form of a '90's Baroni. He signed a multi-fight contract, and his return to action against TUF 7 champion Amir Sadollah took place on November 21, 2009. Sadollah was defeated by a majority vote over Baroni.

After a devastating decision loss to Sadollah, Phil Baroni spent two months in Phuket, Thailand, learning Muay Thai with legendary coach Kru Yod. To improve his striking ability, he trained kicks, knees, and elbows. Baroni's workouts were shown by the TMT crew, who demonstrated how Baroni's stand-up routine and his work with nutritionists and strength and conditioning coaches had helped keep Baroni back to form in two months.

Baroni declared his intention to return to the Middleweight Division.

Baroni had intended to face John Salter at UFC 118 on August 28, 2010, but he was forced to cancel due to a back injury.

At UFC 125, Baroni defeated TUF 11 alumnus Brad Tavares. Baroni was spotted with a strong kick early in the round, with Tavares eventually winning with a TKO victory. Baroni said he was expecting to be barred from UFC but would not resign, during a post-fight interview with Ariel Helwani. Baroni was then released but then we were reunited.

He was in the UFC with a record of 3 victories and 7 losses.

Baroni signed a new multi-fight deal with Titan Fighting Championships after his UFC debut less than two weeks later. He competed against Nick Nolte in the Titan Fighting Championships 17 on Saturday. He was voted unanimously in the fight.

Baroni recovered from shoulder surgery against local favorite Chris Holland on June 2, 2012 at Ring of Fire 43: Bad Blood. In the first round, Baroni dominated Holland, knocking Holland down several times and landing heavy punches that opened a gash above Holland's left eyebrow. Baroni was clearly ill going into the second round and was rattled by a string of hooks from Holland. Baroni ended up losing via TKO due to punches in the second round.

Baroni will face Yoshiyuki Yoshida at ONE Combat Championship: Champion vs. Champion at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on September 18, the first day it was announced on July 18. Baroni lost the battle by unanimous vote. Baroni underwent surgery on a shoulder injury that had troubled him since college.

Baroni had been due to face Roger Huerta at ONE FC: Destiny of Warriors on June 23, but he was suspended from the match after his TKO loss to Chris Holland on June 2.

Baroni defeated Rodrigo Ribeiro at ONE FC: Pride of a Nation on August 31, 2012. Baroni stunned Ribeiro with the first punch he threw; Baroni chased a wobbly Ribeiro landing heavy punches; Baroni pinned Ribeiro down with a punch combination and concluded the brawl just 60 seconds into round one; Baroni screamed round one with soccer kicks and punches; Baroni stunned Ribeiro with a punch combination and ended the match due to soccer kicks and punche Baroni defeated Ribeiro for the first time in history, with a 60-second victory. Baroni's first knockout win in more than four years.

Baroni featured ONE FC in a combat-sharing initiative at Dream 18 against Hayato Sakurai on December 31, 2012. He was disqualified by a majority decision in the fight.

Baroni was last seen on ONE FC 9: Rise to Power against Nobutatsu Suzuki. By being knocked out, he lost the fight.

Baroni had signed a Bellator MMA contract on March 13, 2014, and was scheduled to make his debut against Jesus Martinez on May 2, 2014. Baroni was ruled out of the match due to injury, however, and Ryan Contaldi was recalled.

On July 25, 2014, Baroni defeated Karo Parisyan in his first fight at Bellator 122. In the first round, he lost via TKO and was later dismissed from the promotion.

Baroni has occasionally served as an MMA commentator for Tachi Palace Fights and India's Super Fight League, as a MMA Big Show fight team, since April 2009.

Film career

Baroni appeared in several independent films, including "Man in Club" and "Weightlifter 2." In a Thai film, he was credited as " in a slew of movies in 2018.

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