Phil Baroni

American professional wrestler, kickboxer and mixed martial arts fighter

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, BKFC, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Prior to the murder, Baroni was a close friend and training partner of War Machine, charged with a life sentence for multiple counts of rape, kidnapping, and domestic battery. Baroni defended War Machine during his trial in August 2014. Before becoming a professional fighter, Baroni worked various jobs including construction, delivering pizzas, bouncing, and as a car salesman.