Baroni stakes reputation vs Brazilian pro

Manila, Philippines -  Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride FC veteran Phil Baroni, a solid striker and wrestler and a noted mixed martial artist, has fought practically everyone in his weight class, never backing down against anyone except perhaps against Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.

“He’s too good for me, too fast,” said the 36-year-old Baroni in jest yesterday in an exclusive interview by The STAR at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas, Pasig City.

“But I’d like to meet him though and perhaps spar with him if I get the chance. I would definitely try get him to sign an autograph and have a photo with him,” said Baroni, who fought 10 amateur boxing bouts before turning to MMA.

Baroni flew in last Thursday, a day after brothers Rolles, Igor and Gregor of the legendary Gracie clan arrived, as one of the featured fighters in the ONE Fighting Championship 5: Pride of Nation firing off Aug. 31 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Baroni, who has trained with the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California, will face Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner Rodrigo Ribiero in a virtual match between a striker and a grappler.

“I will knock him (Ribiero) out quick and if he gets past the first round that would be bad news for him because he’ll get more punishment,” he said.

Although this is his first time to visit the country, Baroni, who has disposed of UFC and Pride rivals with his famous one-punch knockout weapon, knows some things about the country, thanks to Fil-Am fighters Brandon Vera, Mark Muñoz and Philip Nover.

“I’m friends with Brandon Vera and I’ve trained with him for some time in the past,” said Baroni. “I know Mark Muñoz and he’s a really warm guy and I like Philip Nover because he’s also from New York like me.”

Baroni also thinks Muñoz could be a champion someday.

“I’ve competed against him when we were in college although we were from different school,” said Baroni of Muñoz, who attended Hofstra University before transferring to Central Michigan University where he has a double major in biology and psychology, and earned his degree in psychology. 

“He’s definitely a better wrestler than me,” he added.

What Baroni likes best in the Philippines is the Filipino “adobo” and its women.

“I’ve tasted adobo and its delicious and I love it, your women are also beautiful,” he said.

The main bouts will feature powerful fighters in DREAM champions Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki and Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes and former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight titleholders Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia.

The Philippine STAR is a media partner of ONE FC.

MMA fans around the world can witness the action of ONE FC online via live streaming at www.onefc.livesport.tv. The undercard fights are available for viewing free of charge while the main card fights will be on purchase on pay-per-view at just $9.99.

Tickets are on sale at TicketNet at www.ticketnet.com.ph or at all TicketNet outlets located at the SM department store customer service area and at the Big Dome ticket booth.

For inquiries and reservations, call +63 911 5555. Tickets are priced at P4,770 for VIP experience seating, which includes exclusive red carpet entrance as well as access to the VIP lounge. Other tickets are pegged at P2,120, P1,060, P690, P530 and P215, respectively. All applicable service charges apply.

For updates, log on to www.ONEFC.com.