Phil Baroni Returns To The UFC

by Robert Sargent

Mere hours after Strikeforce officially announced that "The New York Bad Ass" Phil Baroni had been released from his contract, it has been reported that Baroni (13-11-0) will be making his return to the UFC sometime in the coming months.

This decision by the UFC, especially in light of the recent releases of Tamdan McCrory and Thales Leites, is a puzzling one, at best, as Baroni is 3-5 inside the Octagon.

Baroni's return has brought about speculation that the UFC is attempting to keep as many notable fighters as possible outside of the grasp of Strikeforce. However, Baroni is 5-5 in his last 10 fights and has long been regarded as one of the most inconsistent fighters in mixed martial arts.

Having said that, Baroni is a showman and he knows how to promote and sell fights. Few can talk as big of a game as Baroni, but his ability to back up his words has often come into question.

It is not known if Baroni will continue to compete as a welterweight or whether he will return to the middleweight division, where he spent most of his career. Win, lose or draw, Baroni will always put on a show.


In a much more logical signing, the UFC has brought back another veteran of the promotion, two-time Matt Hughes conqueror Dennis "Superman" Hallman (41-12-2, 1 NC). Hallman is most famous for defeating Hughes twice, in a combined total of 37 seconds, but he has recently dedicated himself to making a return to competition at the highest level.

Hallman may be brought in to compete in a third fight with Hughes, which is unlikely to go Hughes's way, but his contract is for four fights and there are many talented welterweights with whom Hallman would match up well. He is expected to make his return to the company before the end of 2009.


As MMA's equivalent to the Cold War begins between the UFC and Strikeforce, it is interesting to see how each company has positioned themselves for the months ahead. Only time will tell as to whether or not the UFC's decisions to cut McCrory and Leites in favour of Baroni and Hallman were good or bad.