Phil Baroni to welterweight 'to be a world champion'
by James Iannotti on Jun 24, 2008 9:01 AM EDT
43 comments
After dropping four out of his last five bouts at middleweight -- albeit to pretty good competition (Kazuo Misaki, Frank Shamrock, Kala Hose and Joey Villasenor) -- Phil "The New York Badass" Baroni has decided to drop down to 170 pounds for the first time ever and try his luck at welterweight.
It's a 15-pound decision that he hopes will help him become a world champion in the near future.
Here are his exact thoughts:
"Im making the move because I want to be a World Champion. I dont fight for pay day's or fame, to be on tv or chick's. I got into MMA because I wanted to be the best fighter in the world. This is what I feel at this point in my career I need to do. Im feel Im a better fighter than Ive shown in the ring esp as of late. As far as the move to Welter Weight goes I feel great. Im more athletic. Im in much better condition, my hand speed is back, an I would go as far as to say Im a lot quicker than I was at my previous best. I feel just as strong physically if not stronger do to much greater flexibility. Im not going to make any predictions or promises. Ive been very humbled as of late. Ive been handed a real wake up call. Im going to give it my all 100% and do my best. Its Do or Die for me. Im All In! I love to fight. Im a real fighter, an like I said the day I dont think I can be a World Champion is the day Ill retire. Im not done yet, I have alot of fight left inside me. I have alot to prove to myself an alot of people to prove wrong. NEVER SAY DIE !!!"
Baroni -- who has heavy hands and "one punch knockout power" -- would certainly be a dangerous opponent for anyone at 170 pounds. The former bodybuilder, however, has often been criticized for his lack of dedication in the gym before fights, which would also have to change if he plans on having any success regardless of weight class.
And "The New York Badass" will waste no time in testing the welterweight waters.
He's been signed to fight on the July 12 Cage Rage 27: "Step Up" card against an unknown opponent. Cage Rage promoter Dave O'Donnell had this to say about Baroni in a recent MMAWeekly.com interview:
"Baroni will be fighting on the July 12 show, but I can’t release the name of his opponent yet. He will be a British guy and it will make for an exciting fight, as we all know how Baroni likes to go about things. We are talking to a few people now, but until contracts are signed, I won’t be mentioning any names."
Baroni is 10-10 in his professional mixed martial arts career -- essentially a clean slate. Perhaps the timing for a change could not be better. Time will tell.
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He doesn’t fight for paydays, fame, chicks or tv? Could’ve fooled me with that ridiculous entrance he made last fight. My daughter (9 yrs) walked in during that and said,“Daddy, that guy’s dress doesn’t match his shoes.” I laughed my @ss off. His day is done, if it was ever there at all. I don’t like his persona, fighting style or anything else. He’s one of the few sports figures I can think of that I wouldn’t want to sit at a bar and have a beer with.
by chefdaddy on Jun 24, 2008 9:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
THis guy is a joke, who doesnt even deserve us sitting around and blogging about him. until he shows that he can win a fight, I got nothing positive to say about him, and a whole lot of crap to say about him, but 1 wont do that. This is the 1st week of my new semester in school, so my time is precious. Much to precious to waste on a Baroni thread!
“I’m the best EVA” lol give me a break, he has been talking that world champion crap for like 10 years now!
by john on Jun 24, 2008 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree with both of you. Hey, maybe at 170 he’ll be able to fight longer than three minutes.
by PW on Jun 24, 2008 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah 4 minutes and then gas as per frickin’ usual. Always enjoyed watching the old fights with Tanner who put a good old beating on him.
He was disgrace in Pride as well. He started the whole fraca after Shogun popped his elbow against Coleman if I remember correctly.
Let’s not even get into the fact that this guy is a drugs cheat.
by RobH86 on Jun 24, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s what he screamed out..when he KO’s Dave M..I’m not a Frank Shhamrock fan..but I loved when he gave Baroni the " night night " sign..then in the 2nd round..Baroni went " night night "
by PhilQNY on Jun 24, 2008 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even though he lost to Shamrock I was amazed at how much punishment Baroni, could absorb. A lot of other fighters would have gone down a lot sooner. I actually find it quite funny how arrogant and cocky he is. It’s pretty comical, reminds me a little of Johnny Bravo. I actually don’t mind him. Imagine Matt Hughes having his personality. Now that would be funny.
by Ade on Jun 25, 2008 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most of his fights are exciting, for about 3 minutes until he gasses and gets KO’d. If dropping to 170 means he will work on his cardio, than I guess its a move in the right direction. But after this, Baroni doesn’t have any other moves available.
by ViolentMike on Jun 24, 2008 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL Baroni should try to make his next fight last longer than his entrance. I used to like this guy, but not only does he talk and sound like he’s illiterate, he just isn’t fighting well at all!!
by kevin on Jun 24, 2008 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Daddy, that guy’s dress doesn’t match his shoes."
That’s just priceless, thanks for the laugh.
by Scott on Jun 24, 2008 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m in moderation and I didn’t even curse. lol
by chefdaddy on Jun 24, 2008 9:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i hate baroni jabbroni.
i was at the last exc and i was yelling at him to hurry up with his enterance.
his damn walkout was 10 times longer then the fight
i even throw the last half of my hotdog at him
but
i missed and hit some girl in the third row.
by ~Stinky~fingers~ on Jun 24, 2008 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is there anything more perversely humorous or Freudian than a random chick getting hit with a hot dog?
by PW on Jun 24, 2008 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
actually it was half a hot dog.
i must say
she is not the only girl i hit with my half a hot dog in my lifetime.
by ~Stinky~fingers~ on Jun 24, 2008 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah because the rest got hit with your quarter hot dog! Hey stinky, you have an inside info source, did KJ turn down the fight with Diaz?
by kevin on Jun 24, 2008 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I tend to hit chicks with the full “hot dog” if they can handle it:)
by IhitU.uHITfloor on Jun 24, 2008 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i dont see baroni as a threat to “anyone at 170”. it wont work. he’s gonnna have to cut alot of muscle.
by b.w on Jun 24, 2008 9:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
phil baroni is a phoney baloney with a horse named tony.
by ~Stinky~fingers~ on Jun 24, 2008 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
dont be silly.
tony is a boys name
and a pony is a girl.
but then agian
baroni dresses like a girl and is a boy
so i agree
by ~Stinky~fingers~ on Jun 24, 2008 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Loving the rhyming skills, almost as good as yesterdays “official like a referee with a whistle!.”
by UKmmaBOY on Jun 24, 2008 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Weight class change isn’t the issue. How about less focus on a gym body and more focus on cardio and a full MMA skillset. A gas tank to last 3 – 4 minutes while you wing punches is not going to cut it at any weight class. That said, I like watching the guy…..he’s entertaining in victory or defeat. Just find it a little funny that he talks about becoming a World Champion as if he is knocking on the door. The sport is only getting tougher as more talent enters and the young guys are more and more well rounded.
by DonFryestache on Jun 24, 2008 9:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I just remember when Frank Shamrock..gave him the " night night " sign..and then al,ost 2 secs later Baroni almost went " night night "..but by the second round Baroni was napping. I feel with Baroni when he jumped onto the MMA scene..he was one of these fighter’s who were full of themselves..he thought he was that guy..there is nothing wrong with confidence..he just crossed over to being cocky.
by PhilQNY on Jun 24, 2008 9:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Someone who is going to stand there and get punched in the face so ma-ma-ma-ma my Baroni can look good for his WW debut. Apologies to The Knack for that one. :)
by PW on Jun 24, 2008 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scott Jansen. Doesnt give any fight stats on cage rage website.
by UKmmaBOY on Jun 24, 2008 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sherdog lists him as 3-2 (all wins by TKO and both losses by submission). They don’t list any height or reach stats.
by JRK on Jun 24, 2008 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i like the guy anyone dumber then me boosts my ego a bit,and there isn’t very many of those..
however i wont critisize his fighting he could kick my @$$ in 30 seconds even though he isn’t on par with anyone in xc and im sure everyone knows how i feel about them
by randy murders on Jun 24, 2008 10:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BWAAHAHAAHAA~!, good luck with that PHIL
by grembone on Jun 24, 2008 10:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
get alife fingers u stinky scumbag you always seem 2 talk garbage ! throwing hotdogs ? real mature !
by neon on Jun 24, 2008 10:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
its so embarrassing trying to stick up for this guy but i know he can fight. i’m also convinced threw the fight against villasenior because he went down in 2 seconds when we know he can take a beating (shamrock, hose). either way, he hasn’t picked up a ground game and the game’s evolved without him. jake shields would tap him out before the fight begins.
by kama kaze on Jun 24, 2008 10:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Alright well let me say like alot of you I am not a Baroni Fan that Ric Flair WWF esque entrance at the CBS XC show was an embarrassment however with his power if he got his conditioning and his mind in the right place he could still salvage a lackluster and much like kimbo over hyped career. I think I have the perfect opponent for his style and new weight class…How about this People PHIL BARONI VS. ROSS POINTON anyone up that?
by TapSnapOrNapBJJ on Jun 24, 2008 10:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
world champion with 10-10 record? yeah right, he’s probably takin diuretics to drop down to 170.
by Ro on Jun 24, 2008 11:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think the sport of mixed martial arts needs to drop weight in the form of Phil Baroni.
by Dumas on Jun 24, 2008 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
CHAMPION????HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
OHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHHAHAHAAH
AAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH OH MY GOD ARE U KIDDING HE CANT BEAT ANYONE VEGGIE HEADED GOOF WORLD CHUMP MAYBE HAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAO ADVICE TO MR COLEMAN DROP HIM AND SIMS AND THEN MAYBE PEOPLE WILL TAKE U SERIOUSLY HAHAHAHAAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH AAAAAAA…..RANDLEMAN TOO HAMMER BLOUSE IS DONE ..MORE LIKE GERITOL HOUSE
by CYD CYANIDE on Jun 24, 2008 4:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I RECALL HIM FIGHTING DAVE M AND HOPPING ON CAGE YELLING IM THE BEST IN THE WORLD ,AND HOW BOUT HIM AT LAST PPV CRYING CUZ MARK STUCK W HIM HE HASNT WON IN 3 YEARS JEEZUZ TIME FOR A CHANGE BALOGNIE
by CYD CYANIDE on Jun 24, 2008 4:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”
T. Roosevelt
People will eat their words…You can’t teach heart…this guy was born to be a champion…..the ultimate underdog story…a talented man with a tremendous heart, a 30 win senior year division 1 wrestler with power in both hands (who’s the biggest power puncher in mma at 170lbs??…name him…theres a big difference between 170 & 185…he’s the biggest puncher in mma at 170, no doubt)…he’s already within the wt cut….if he comes in with better cardio, faster hands and continues to train wrestling with the guys he trains with (now Koscheck, Fitch, Swick, Prangley, Sheilds etc…) he is a legit force at that weightthrow away the 10-10 record (plus look at the opponents, its a who’s who of mma at 185, no one at 170 has that kind of resume)…he bounces back from adversity…hes a talented man whos been humbled…the more you get to know of Baroni as a person as well as the story of the fighter, the more you want to route for him…..if this guy rose up from the mma ashes and became champ at 170 it might be the greatest story in the sport….especially with a change in attitude….I hope he turns it around and reaches his potential…because its there…he’s bigger than St Pierre at 170…..just remember my words a year from now.
by MMAPOWER on Jun 25, 2008 6:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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