Rise to Power | 31 May 13 | |||||
Pride of a Nation | 31 Aug 12 | |||||
Champion vs Champion | 03 Sep 11 | |||||
Philip George Baroni (April 16, 1976) is a retired American mixed martial artist, professional wrestler and former kickboxer. A professional MMA competitor since 2000, Baroni has competed for the UFC, PRIDE, Strikeforce, Cage Rage, DREAM, EliteXC, Bellator MMA, BKFC, and ONE FC.
Baroni was born Phillip George Baroni in Massapequa Park in Long Island, New York to American parents. His father was a prominent New York attorney and his mother was a homemaker. Phillip attended Massapequa High School where he was on the wrestling team. Baroni grew up having multiple street fights, a precursor to his career. The Baronis were next door neighbors of Jerry Seinfeld's parents. Baroni attended Nassau Community College and became a two time All-American wrestler there, placing fifth and second in the nation. However, during the later part of his senior year he was expelled. Baroni then attended Hofstra University before transferring to Central Michigan University on a scholarship, where he was a double major in biology and psychology. He was also an amateur bodybuilder from the age of 17 to 20, competing in six shows, in which he placed either first or second. He studied kickboxing under Keith Trimble, and had seven matches, winning all by knockout. He also competed in 10 amateur boxing matches, also winning all 10 by knockout.
In 2014, Baroni began training to become a professional wrestler at D'Lo Brown Pro Wrestling Academy.
On March 18, 2016 Baroni was announced to wrestle at Pro Wrestling Syndicate Super Card 2016 against former ECW superstar New Jack on June 11 at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey.
On April 4, 2019 Baroni took part in the second annual GCW Bloodsport professional wrestling event. He faced off and defeated Dominic Garrini, however his victory was later overturned to a loss by disqualification after he attacked the referee.
In the fall of 2018, Baroni returned to bare knuckle boxing. He faced Chris Leben at the World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation debut card on November 9, 2018. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
Baroni was next expected to face fellow UFC veteran Thiago Alves at BKFC 13 on September 19, 2020. However, Baroni was removed from the card due to the organization not being able to reach him, and was replaced by Julian Lane.
Baroni appeared in several independent films, credited as "Man in Club" and "Weightlifter 2." He was credited in 2018 as มนุษย์ยิม in a Thai film.
Baroni was formerly represented by sports agent Ken Pavia, but after his move to American Kickboxing Academy, Baroni was managed by Bob Cook and DeWayne Zinkin of Zinkin Entertainment and Sports Management. Baroni is now managed by pro MMA fighter and professional wrestler Matt "The Granimal" Granahan's the American Combat Association since his move to professional wrestling along with other UFC stars turned pro wrestlers, such as Kamal Shalorus and UFC Hall of Famers Stephan Bonnar and Dan Severn. Before becoming a professional fighter, Baroni worked various jobs including construction, delivering pizzas, bouncing, and as a car salesman.
2001-2011 |
2005-2006 |
2007-2009 |
2011-2013 |
2014 |
| ONE Championship Mens | Loss Decision | ONE | 2011 | 1 |