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By: Jason Bent, MMATorch Columnist Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields comes to us on June 6, 2009 from the Scotttrade Center in St. Louis, MO and can be seen live on Showtime. This is an outstanding MMA card that is quite frankly the best non-UFC card in some time in my humble opinion. This card has star power, notable names, quality match ups and a main event which is more than worthy of being so.
When you think of everything Elite XC did wrong it is refreshing to see many of their fighters get the chance to ply their trade for a promotion which actually knows what they are doing in Strikeforce.
Fighters fight.
One of those fighters who embodies that statement is the "New York Bad Ass" Phil Baroni. Baroni who has been successfully campaigning at welterweight for some time now will get a test of sorts when he steps in to do battle against the ever dangerous and durable, Joe "Diesel" Riggs.
These two men do not care for each other, and this of course was exacerbated by Riggs' anger over not fighting Jake Shields. Riggs was to face Shields, but this was of course before Jake had the opportunity to take on Robbie Lawler at a catchweight of 182 lbs. The fight with Lawler is simply a bigger fight for Shields and one which shall bring him a much bigger payday than would have been the case had he fought Riggs. Joe Riggs took this personally and has let his frustrations become known as he has intimated that facing Baroni is a huge step down and is possibly even beneath him.
The only way he can prove this is to be victorious in his bout on June 6 and in Phil Baroni he will be facing a hungry welterweight slugger with true knockout power and possibly a big chip on his shoulder. Baroni is the type of fighter who looks to knock everyone out, but now there just might be a little something extra on each of those punches as he gets the chance to show Joe Riggs just what he can do.
One man will definitely be beneath the other after this fight, but it is likely that this will mean one is in a supine position and have nothing to do with rankings of any sort. This Riggs vs. Baroni fight is a fan's fight for sure, and certainly stands out as one of the more compelling bouts on the card.
I recently had the chance to sit down with the inimitable "New York Bad Ass" and discuss everything from the recent Shamrock-Diaz fight, his prospects after fighting, his upcoming bout with Riggs and even some tips on how to have a healthy marriage.
With that said, I bring to you the man who needs no introduction but often makes dramatic ones in his trademark robes and sunglasses, "The New York Bad Ass" Phil Baroni in the best interview ever.
Jason Bent: How is training camp going and how ready are you to get back inside the cage after what will have been almost a year since your last bout?
Phil Baroni: It hasn't been a year yet. My last fight was September 26, so not quite a year. Training camp is going great and I'm ready now. I'm back to my old self. I'm how I was when I fought in PRIDE and my early UFC days from 2002 and before. I'm lean and real f***ing mean.
Bent: You have experienced tremendous success since dropping down to welterweight; do you wish you had made the choice to fight at this weight a long time ago?
Baroni: Yeah, I should have made the move a long time ago but it's better late than never. I'm going to be a champion at 170 lbs.
Bent: Will you be fighting at welterweight for the rest of your career unless a huge payday or opportunity makes the move back up in weight worthwhile?
Baroni: Yeah, exactly. I'm in my weight and I plan on staying here unless a fight with (Frank) Shamrock or Cung Le is available. Those are big fights I'll have to take at any weight.
Bent: How do you feel about your opponent, Joe Riggs, viewing you as a step down in competition after Jake Shields opted to face Robbie Lawler instead and does this provide some extra motivation for you?
Baroni: F*** you, Riggs and what he thinks. He is a known dumb f*** isn't he? I'm in great shape and I'm going to f*** him up. End of story. Who cares what he thinks about me.
I have had people count me out my whole career. I have a lot to prove and a lot of fight left inside me. I feel I am coming into my own now. It was a long, hard road but I have a great supporting cast behind me and I'm ready to fight up to my potential and be a champion now. I have shown glimpses of my ability in the past but I wasn't consistent in the cage. Now, I'm focused, clear headed and ready to be the champion I was born to be.
Bent: What is your prediction for this fight and do his words make you want to hurt him any more than before?
Baroni: I predict a win. He is a tough, experienced young opponent with a lot of potential. I plan on punishing him, busting him up and breaking him down physically or mentally; whichever comes first. I plan on winning every second of this fight and pushing the pace.
Bent: What do you know about Joe Riggs and is there anything you are working on in particular for your bout against him?
Baroni: I know EVERYTHING about him. I've studied a lot of film and followed his career for a long time. There is nothing I don't know. I'll be ready for everything he's got.
Bent: Following this bout, what are some fights that you want next and just what are the odds of seeing a rematch between you and Frank Shamrock?
Baroni: I want all the big fights like Shamrock, Cung Le and Diaz. I want to fight the best guys in my weight class one at a time and climb the rankings. First I need to take care of Riggs and that's my focus now.
Bent: Were you in any way shocked that Nick Diaz handled Frank Shamrock the way that he did?
Baroni: Yes and no. Diaz is a great fighter who keeps getting better each and every time he steps in the cage. He is great. He lives, sleeps and breathes fighting. Sham has been off injured and was rusty. Diaz did what he was supposed to do in my opinion.
Bent: What is your opinion of a fighter like Nick Diaz?
Baroni: Diaz is a great fighter who I respect and admire. I like his all business attitude. He is super tough in the ring and in real life. I'm a fan. I was a long time ago too, before it was popular to be a Nick Diaz fan.
Bent: Obviously Elite XC is no longer due to so many things gone wrong but now you are here in Strikeforce, a company that seems to be doing everything right. How much easier is it on you as a fighter to know that the promotion will actually be around?
Baroni: Really, I don't give a f***. Fighting will always be around and I'll always have work. Coker is a great promoter and it's always better to fight for somebody like Scott Coker. I respect him as a businessman and a person. He has always treated me really well and I'm happy to be fighting for him again. I think he has a great roster and will put on a lot of big fights in the future.
I'm not going to kiss his ass like everyone else is. I still have to put on exciting fights and win. I'll do my job and let him do his. I think we will work well together.
But really, Phil Baroni winning fights is a promoters dream. I plan on winning fights, so let's see what Coker does with me.
Bent: What are your thoughts on the Jake Shields vs. Robbie Lawler main event? Any predictions?
Baroni: I'm friends with both guys. Let's put it this way, if the fight stays on the feet it's Lawler and if it hits the ground it's Shields. It's that easy.
Bent: How is married life and do you have any tips for our readers on how to make it a successful one?
Baroni: Give it to them good, long and hard.
Bent: What are your aspirations following your fighting career?
Baroni: Who knows, but I don't want to think about that yet. I feel great, like I'm 24 but even better. I just want to focus on my career and winning fights right now.
The way it is nowadays, if I win like I plan to, I won't have to worry about what I'll have to do after. I plan on winning a title and defending it a lot of times. Then I'll be buying a bunch of Tommy Bahama wear, moving to Hawaii and just relaxing…..
Bent: Any last words you might have for Joe Riggs, your fans or your detractors before we see you in action on June 6?
Baroni: I'm not that good Joe. I'm out of shape, old and slow. I'm just doing this for a payday. I might not even make weight so relax and chill out. No worries, brotha.
See you June 6.
Take it easy on the old "NYBA" will ya.
Well, there you have it. Baroni is lean, mean and ready for what should be an exciting bout for as long as it lasts on June 6 when he takes on Joe Riggs. Baroni vs. Riggs is of course on the undercard of Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields and can be seen live on Showtime.
Riggs is a tough customer but Baroni seems to finally have found his comfort zone at 170 lbs. and has lost none of his trademark power. We are in for one hell of a fight on June 6 between two men who really don’t care too much for the other. Joe "Diesel" Riggs should be hungry to prove he deserved to be facing Shields and he shall be facing an opponent who will be looking to feed him a steady barrage of fists and fury in Baroni.
Baroni vs. Riggs is just one of many exciting fights on a great card, and I would like to thank Phil for once again taking some time out of his schedule to chat with me. Phil is a good guy and when it comes to giving a damn about his fans he is in fact one of the best ever.
Be sure to tune into Showtime at 10pm EST on June 6 and keep it right here at MMATorch for all of the news and reviews of this epic Strikeforce event.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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