Baroni vows mayhem in One FC

MANILA, Philippines - Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Phil Baroni vows to rock Manila in his return as he slugs it out with Nobutatsu Suzuki in what promises to be a blockbuster duel in the ONE FC: Rise to Power on May 31 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

Baroni, boasting of a one-punch knockout that got him past strong UFC and Pride rivals, wowed the local fight fans when he demolished Brazilian Rodrigo Ribiero via a first round knockout in the ONE FC: Pride of a Nation at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum last Sept. 3.

Against Suzuki, Baroni said he’s more than ready to take on the Japanese karateka champion.

“I’m in great condition. My training regimen is a secret. All I can tell you is we spar hard three days a week and I train twice a day. My diet has been really clean, healthy food during the training camp so a lot of vegetables. I’m pretty much a vegan except for when I eat meat,” said Baroni, 36, in an exclusive interview by The STAR at the Midas Hotel and Casino in Pasay City yesterday.

“I train at AKA in San Jose. I’ve trained all over, man, Xtreme Coutoure in Vegas and ONE Kick Nicks gym in Vegas as well as Drysdales in Vegas. “I’ve been doing this stuff for a long time.”

But what thrills Baroni most is the chance to fight before Filipino fans again.

“I love the Philippines. I fell in love with this country the first time I’ve been here when I took a fight in ONE FC last year,” said Baroni.