Tony
14-08-2009, 09:26
Strikeforce announces release of Phil Baroni with talk of possible UFC return (http://mmamania.com/2009/08/13/strikeforce-announces-release-of-phil-baroni-with-talk-of-possible-ufc-return/)
By: MMAmania (http://mmamania.com/author/admin/)
http://mmamania.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/philbaroni.jpg
Strikeforce today announced that it was parting ways with Phil Baroni, coming on the heels of a Sherdog.com (http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/update-baroni-likely-headed-back-to-ufc-19091) report that “The New York Badass” was likely headed back to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Here’s a snip from Strikeforce Founder and CEO, Scott Coker:
“We wish Phil the best of luck and hope he can revive his career. If he can, maybe one day, he can return and fight for us.”
Baroni has competed twice for Strikeforce in his 24-fight career that dates back to 2000.
He was submitted by long-time rival, Frank Shamrock, in an event co-promoted with Elite XC in 2007 and was most recently on the wrong end of a lopsided unanimous decision to Joe Riggs at “Lawler vs. Shields” this past June.
The performance against “Diesel” marked his first defeat in four fights since rebounding from a three fight losing skid, as well as his first loss at 170 pounds.
The former heavy-handed middleweight seemed revitalized welterweight, closing out 2008 with three straight wins over Scott Jansen (KO), Ron Verdadero (TKO), and Olaf Alfonso (decision) after dropping down to compete as a welterweight in the 170 pound division.
The 33-year-old Pride FC, Elite XC and Strikeforce veteran, reportedly, has now verbally agreed to return to where his career essentially began with the UFC. No contract details were revealed at press time; however, it seems plausible based on his good relationship with company president, Dana White, and his colorful ability to promote fights.
Baroni competed eight times inside the Octagon between 2001 and 2005, compiling a lackluster record (3-5) during that span. He fought Evan Tanner and Matt Lindland twice (four total fights) and lost all of those middleweight matches. Baroni is perhaps best known for being upset by up-and-comer Pete Sell thanks to a guillotine choke that put the Long Island, N.Y., native to sleep.
He’ll need to certainly step up his game if he is indeed UFC bound because the promotion boasts the most talent-rich 170-pound division on the planet.
By: MMAmania (http://mmamania.com/author/admin/)
http://mmamania.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/philbaroni.jpg
Strikeforce today announced that it was parting ways with Phil Baroni, coming on the heels of a Sherdog.com (http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/update-baroni-likely-headed-back-to-ufc-19091) report that “The New York Badass” was likely headed back to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Here’s a snip from Strikeforce Founder and CEO, Scott Coker:
“We wish Phil the best of luck and hope he can revive his career. If he can, maybe one day, he can return and fight for us.”
Baroni has competed twice for Strikeforce in his 24-fight career that dates back to 2000.
He was submitted by long-time rival, Frank Shamrock, in an event co-promoted with Elite XC in 2007 and was most recently on the wrong end of a lopsided unanimous decision to Joe Riggs at “Lawler vs. Shields” this past June.
The performance against “Diesel” marked his first defeat in four fights since rebounding from a three fight losing skid, as well as his first loss at 170 pounds.
The former heavy-handed middleweight seemed revitalized welterweight, closing out 2008 with three straight wins over Scott Jansen (KO), Ron Verdadero (TKO), and Olaf Alfonso (decision) after dropping down to compete as a welterweight in the 170 pound division.
The 33-year-old Pride FC, Elite XC and Strikeforce veteran, reportedly, has now verbally agreed to return to where his career essentially began with the UFC. No contract details were revealed at press time; however, it seems plausible based on his good relationship with company president, Dana White, and his colorful ability to promote fights.
Baroni competed eight times inside the Octagon between 2001 and 2005, compiling a lackluster record (3-5) during that span. He fought Evan Tanner and Matt Lindland twice (four total fights) and lost all of those middleweight matches. Baroni is perhaps best known for being upset by up-and-comer Pete Sell thanks to a guillotine choke that put the Long Island, N.Y., native to sleep.
He’ll need to certainly step up his game if he is indeed UFC bound because the promotion boasts the most talent-rich 170-pound division on the planet.