The “New York Bad Ass”, Phil Baroni has never been a quiet presence in the world of MMA, from his exploits in the cage to his elaborate entrances and his move to welterweight is no exception.
From the moment he arrived on the scene in the UFC, his presence was felt and his punching power was decidedly felt by his opponents. His fight against Dave Menne at UFC 39 in September of 2002 served notice that this was a man who could back up any of his boasts with two fists of dynamite. In 18 short seconds, he became an instant superstar and as he was perched atop the cage and proclaimed himself to be the, “best ever.” Not too many folks were going to stand up and disagree.
His record in the UFC stands at 3 wins and 5 losses, but you cannot always judge a man by his win-loss record, especially when you take into consideration that he fought both Evan Tanner and Matt Lindland twice. Baroni’s last appearance in the UFC was against Pete Sell at UFC 51 in 2005, where he lost by submission; but his career did not end there.
After leaving the UFC, Baroni went on to fight under the EFC banner one time and for PRIDE an additional 6 times before going on to Strikeforce, Icon Sport and most recently on the network TV debut of MMA for Elite XC.
Coming off of a loss to Joey Villasenor on the Elite XC card in May, the question to be asked is “what’s next for the New York Bad Ass?”
I had the opportunity to speak with the man himself and find out just what is next, and with that I bring to you, 10 Questions with Phil Baroni.
Jason Bent: Why the move to welterweight and in what ways can this benefit you at this stage of your career?
Phil Baroni: I think the move to Welterweight is going to be huge for my career. I have fought a lot of the best Middle Weights in the world. I’ve been in a lot of big fights against the best fighters. My first fight was in the UFC at middleweight. I’ve been very competitive at the weight and have had my share of big wins, to go along with heart breaking losses.
I train with a lot of the best one seventy pound fighters in the world. And have always thought about dropping to one seventy. I just feel I match up better with welterweights. I’m not short for welterweight, I am as fast as any welterweight and feel very strong when training with one seventy pound fighters. I always thought if I could just make welterweight I’d be a champion. And with a lot of discipline and hard work I can.
JB: Your welterweight debut will be with Cage Rage, do you see yourself competing under their banner in the future or is this a one shot deal?
PB: I like the guys from Cage Rage a lot. I used to always speak with them at the PRIDE events in Japan.
I appreciate them giving me the opportunity to fight at 170 in the show. I think it’s a big show and such stars as Anderson Silva developed there. They’re partners with Pro Elite who I’m under contract with so you could expect to see me fighting in England in Cage Rage again. I love England they have great fans and it’s a very cool place. One of my favorite boxers Ricky Hatton is from England and I hope to meet him.
JB: Will you be a part of Elite XC's future plans, and if so who are potential opponents you would like to face and when can we hope to see you back on prime time television?
PB: I plan on being Pro Elites future. I feel at one seventy I’ll be hard to beat and in a few fights, a title contender. I can’t wait to get back on TV to show the world I’m a lot better than I showed last time out. I’m a good tough little fighter that will lay it all out on the line and fight his ass off for the fans and the promotion and well as myself, my friends and family and my loyal fans. I’m still stressed over my return to NJ. I’m sorry I let the fans down and really want to make it up to them. That’s a big part of the reason I’m going down. To win them a world title after all these years of supporting me and to be their champion.
JB: Where would you like to be in 5 years and what goals have you set for yourself as you enter the next stage of your MMA career?
PB: I’m 29 this year so in five years I probably see myself at 34, with a world championship around my waist.
JB: Take me through a day in the life of the inimitable Phil Baroni. What is your training schedule like and what changes to your training have been made now that you will be campaigning at welterweight?
PB: I wake up at 4:45am and do my road work, three miles on Mon & Fri, and six on Wed. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, I work with the strength and conditioning coach at Randy’s gym, Jake, he is very good. I was also working with Wanderlei Silva's strength and conditioning coach before my last fight; he is very good as well.
JB: What are the chances of you competing in a UFC octagon again? Are there any matchups the interest you as far as current UFC fighters go?
PB: It all depends. I’m very happy with Doug Deluca and his team at Pro Elite right now. They treat me very well and support and believe in me. I still feel I have some unfinished business with the UFC at this point and something to prove. We will see. My eyes right now are set on the Pro Elite Title and fighting on CBS again. That’s where my head is, that’s the gold I want. I’ll let Doug and Pro Elite handle me and my career, I genuinely feel that they care about me and my future. I’m loyal to them. That’s why I am fighting in Cage Rage at 170; they are working with me, giving me opportunities to rebuild my career.
JB: How do you celebrate after a fight? What is a night on the town like with Phil Baroni?
PB: I’m focused now, no more celebrating. I’ve celebrated enough of my career and years down the toilet. I’m focused and rededicated. I have a coach for everything. Babbau from BTT is helping me with my Jits, Gil Martinez with my hands, Jake from Couture’s with my strength and conditioning, Javiar Mendez with my Kickboxing, setting up my training camp and everything else that has to do with fighting, Ali Deluca with my mind, and my fiancée Angela does everything else my nutrition, cooking, business organization, everything. So I have a whole team around me, coaches making me, building me into the champion I’m destined to become.
JB: Has anyone ever pressured you to tone down your antics outside of the cage as far as your fight entrance and pre-fight hype sound bites go? Also, do you feel that you have a standard to live up to as far as providing the media with the quotes they have come to expect and the fans as far as expecting a flashy entrance?
PB: I do what I do because it’s fun. I enjoy it and it’s fun. I entertain the fans, give them something to cheer or boo. I give them a little more for their money. But it’s me, I like it, it’s who I am. What you see is what you get with me. And I’m just being me.
JB: Has there been a fight in your career so far that has caused you to change your approach to fighting? Have you learned something from each loss and taken that with you as you continue to evolve as a fighter?
PB: They all have, even the wins teach you things. But the losses especially, you learn from. They suck but they were very valuable, taught me a lot about myself and people in general. So-called friends and family, I’ve learned a lot through my fighting career, it has opened my eyes to a lot of things. I know now what it takes, and what needs to be done to be a champion. And now at this point in my life I’m ready to do it.
JB: What can we expect to see on July 12 as you face Scott Jansen? Is there anything special about Jansen or is he simply your first victim as you embark on a welterweight career?
PB: Jansen is a tough, prototypical English fighter. He is gritty, rugged, and durable and he fights with courage. He is a good boxer, he has fast hands a good jab. I’m to try my best to blast this kid out of there, put on a spectacle and a fight the Cage Rage fans will always remember. I think they will want to see me back in Cage Rage right away.
JB: I would like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule and to wish you the best of luck on July 12. You have provided nothing short of excitement each time out and I expect nothing but more of the same as you begin the next chapter of your career. Good luck to you and it has been a privilege to interview you.
PB: Thank you, man, for the kind words. I’m really looking to jump start my career and get back on track, become a contender and win a world championship. Thank you for the support, because of fans an people like you in the support it drives me to try harder and figure out a way to entertain you and give you your money’s worth. I will not fail at 170.
I will be the world champion. Thank you again.
Cage Rage 27: Step Up will be held on July 12, 2008 at the Wembley Arena in London, England and will be headlined by Phil Baroni vs Scott Jansen. This fight is significant as Baroni will be making his welterweight debut and begins a new chapter in his career; one he intends to cap off with en eventual world championship.
One thing is for certain, the move down in weight is a big one and with one explosive victory Baroni could serve notice to the world that there is a new welterweight to fear as he definitely would rate as arguably the hardest puncher in the division. A new, improved Phil Baroni who can retain all of the aforementioned punching power would definitely be a fighter who could make a lot of noise at the new weight. Making a lot of noise is nothing new for the “New York Bad Ass” and on July 12, the fighter who has always given the fans more bang for their buck plans to put on a display of fistic fireworks that will be louder than any 4th of July celebration.
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