[ryde]

*Update! Read Below"
Phil Baroni confirms it himself

I beleive this is all rumor as of now, nothing is confirmed as far as I know.

Facts are though: he was released from his contract in Strikeforce

under rumors on mma2go.param.mobi
there source is listed as mmaweekly.com

""Strikeforce issued a press release Thursday announcing the release of Phil Baroni from his contract with the San Jose, Calif., based promotion.

On Thursday afternoon, a report on Sherdog.com said Baroni was likely to return to the UFC."

So orignial report came from sherdog, all we know now is he has beenreleased from Strikeforce

[dudeabides]

And Baroni says he is back in the UFC:

http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news...C-signing.html

Following his official release from Strikeforce yesterday, Phil Baroni confirmed today that he has signed a new multi-fight contract with the UFC and will compete in the promotion's stacked welterweight division. Baroni made the announcement on MMAjunkie.com Radio.

"I just signed and sent my contract back to the UFC," said Baroni in the interview.

Strikeforce put out a press release yesterday about Baroni's release, where Founder and CEO, Scott Coker had this to say,“We wish Phil the best of luck and hope he can revive his career. If he can, maybe one day, he can return and fight for us.”

Baroni claims that he wasn't cut and simply declined to negotiate a deal that would have him fight in the organization's Challengers series events, with a potential fight against Erik Apple.

Strikeforce's posturing seems to be a feeble attempt at a strike against the UFC.

Baroni went 0-2 in just two fights with Strikeforce. In his debut he was defeated by MMA legend Frank Shamrock for the promotion's first-ever middleweight title in June 2007. Most recently he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Joe Riggs at "Lawler vs. Shields" this past June.

The loss to Riggs was Baroni's first since dropping down to welterweight. He'd won three straight in his first three bouts at the weight, including a win over Olaf Alfonso. Baroni decided to leave the middleweight division after a three-fight losing streak in June 2007 to May 2008 including a loss to Joey Villasenor at EliteXC: "Primetime" in the first U.S. network-televised MMA event.

In his first stint with the UFC from February 2001 to February 2005, he compiled a 3-5 record as a middleweight , with wins over Curtis Stout, Amar Suloev and Dave Menne. Baroni suffered two losses each in the promotion to both Evan Tanner and Matt Lindland and also dropped a loss to Pete Sell at UFC 51 in 2005 which lead to his dismissal from the UFC.

Overall in his 9-year year, Baroni has put together a 13-11 MMA record, with 9 wins coming by stoppage. He's garnered notable wins over Ikuhisa Minowa, Ryo Chonan and Yuki Kondo and has fought for an array of promotions during his career including PRIDE, Strikeforce, ICON Sport, EliteXC, Cage Rage and Palace Fighting Championships.

[ryde]

Nice find man
+1
Thanks for posting an update

[Gluteal Cleft]

Is it really that hard for them to fill the undercards that they have to take back Baroni?

Let me guess... I'll bet he's going to call out Anderson Silva.

[ryde]

Phil Baroni confirmed today that he has signed a new multi-fight contract with the UFC and will compete in the promotion's stacked welterweight division.

GSP
Fitch
Alves
Swick

[bryangbrown]

I guess they can use him as a gate keeper of sorts for the division, but it seems like if anything he's gonna lower the bar. He is pretty funny in interviews though.

[swpthleg]

Baroni.....only if he does his dance when he comes out.

[xred]

Originally Posted by ryde

Phil Baroni confirmed today that he has signed a new multi-fight contract with the UFC and will compete in the promotion's stacked welterweight division.

GSP
Fitch
Alves
Swick

All of the above will tool Baroni imo

[bryangbrown]

I really hope Amir smashes Baroni - looking forward to that fight actually.