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**The Legend** · 04-17-2008, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmamania

The same day Elite XC issued a press release that the main card was set for “Saturday Night Fights” on CBS we already have a change in the line up.

Murilo “Ninja” Rua has been scratched for the show at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on May 31 and has been replaced with Joey Villasenor (25-6) who will tangle with Phil Baroni (10-9) in a 185-pound scrap.

No reason was given for the switch.

“Dream Smasher” is on a two-fight win streak since losing to “Ninja” via technical knockout in a bout to determine the first EliteXC middleweight champion back in 2007.

The Greg Jackson-trained fighter most recently knocked out Ryan Jensen in round one during the Strikeforce: “Shamrock vs. Cung Le” show last month.

Baroni, on the other hand, is on a two-fight losing skid. He was stopped by Kala Hose last month in a slugfest, missing out on the Icon Sport middleweight title. The erratic yet charismatic fighter has lost four of his last six fights.

This match up might actually favor Baroni a bit more than a fight with Ninja. “The New York Bad Ass” prefers to brawl and Villasenor is not one to back down. He could have had some real trouble with Ninja’s tight Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills.

Source: http://mmamania.com/2008/04/16/joey-...oni-on-may-31/

I'll probably go with Villasenor on this one.

Lotus · 04-17-2008, 12:20 AM

well this certainly sucks... ah well though you get what ya get i hope baroni gets his face caved in personally

**_RIVAL_** · 04-17-2008, 12:29 AM

I can't say that I'm dissapointed in this matchup. I've seen smokin joe in a few fights but never seen him tested in a match with an aggressive striker. Baroni of whom I'm not impressed with on a technical level does know how to let his leather go. So if villasenior is able to outstrike Baroni I beleive it will pay off in dividends for his fan base and future matchups. This one is looking like a good scrap

bbjd7 · 04-17-2008, 12:37 AM

WHY Ninja WHY? I mean he could win this fight. It would be great exposure and he would get some many more fans I mean people dig a guy who calls himself Ninja and who kicks Baroni's ass.

Ninja all you needed to do was take Baroni down and you would've had a first round submission.

**_RIVAL_** · 04-17-2008, 12:41 AM

Ninja would've smoked him.

Lotus · 04-17-2008, 12:58 AM

he owuld of done more than smoked him he would of eaten his ashes and pissed out baronis soul

pauly_j · 04-17-2008, 07:32 AM

Both would have been knocked out in the first minute of the first round by Baroni. Even if they blocked the punches. The shock waves would travel down their arms and haemorrhage their brains.

enceledus · 04-17-2008, 08:47 AM

lame... maybe they want baroni to win for some reason.

**Damone** · 04-17-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.P.

Ninja would've smoked him.

I don't know about that, Ninja sort of sucks nowadays, and is a dumb fighter. Sure, Baroni sucks, too, but Baroni can take a better shot and hits very hard. Ninja needs to start using his solid ground game, because his stand-up is bad.

I actually like this replacement. Villasenor is solid.