Rear Naked Ramblings – Latest Strikeforce News
Amidst all of the hype for Gina Carano vs. Cris Cyborg, there has been other news that has flown under the radar a little bit.
Phil Baroni Released By Strikeforce
I received a press release from Strikeforce yesterday that stated that one Phil Baroni was released by Strikeforce. Here’s what it said:
Phil “The New York Badass” Baroni has been released by world championship mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion STRIKEFORCE.
The 33-year-old Baroni, a native of Long Island, N.Y, has lost four of his last seven bouts. In his last appearance, a welterweight (170 pounds) matchup with Joe “Diesel” Riggs at St. Louis, Missouri’s Scottrade Center, Baroni sustained a one-sided defeat by way of unanimous judges’ decision.
“We wish Phil the best of luck and hope he can revive his career,” STRIKEFORCE Founder and CEO Scott Coker said Thursday. “If he can, maybe one day, he can return and fight for us.”
Baroni’s most noteworthy fight in STRIKEFORCE was also the first STRIKEFORCE middleweight (185 pounds) MMA championship bout in history on June 22, 2007. Refusing to tap out, Baroni was choked unconscious by four-time world champion Frank Shamrock in the second round (4:00) of action.
The release had a hint of negativity to it, and very much soon there after, this happened.
Phil Baroni Signed By UFC
I’m not sure what they could do with him in competitive fights, but I’d love to see Phil Baroni versus guys who can talk like Chris Leben and Michael Bisping.
Dave Meltzer at F4WOnline.com/Wrestling Observer thought it was an interesting move because guys have been cut recently who would be favored in a fight with him.
Nick Diaz Supposedly Signs A Boxing Deal
BloodyElbow.com had the story about Nick signing to box. To me, it’d be a huge mistake for Diaz because the strengths in his boxing skill in my opinion are that he has a good reach and he doesn’t get tired. But he also doesn’t really move his head all that well and when he fought a guy with true boxing skill in KJ Noons, he was schooled on his feet.
Scott Coker recently said he was under the understanding that Diaz couldn’t do anything until after his Strikeforce deal is done.
Tomorrow, we’ll be back live from ringside with play by play of the Strikeforce show main evented by Gina Carano vs. Cris Cyborg.
