MMA veteran Phil Baroni was arrested Monday in Mexico for the murder of his girlfriend.
Baroni, best known for his runs with the UFC and PRIDE from 2000-2006, directed authorities to help his girlfriend after he beat her unconscious following an argument. According to reports, Baroni lashed out at his girlfriend after finding out she was cheating on him. Police ultimately discovered Baroni’s girlfriend hideously battered and lifeless body.
“The New York Bad Ass” went into custody shortly thereafter and awaits further proceedings for the murder charge.
Tribuna De La Bahia, who broke the report, described the incident in detail:
“Baroni beat his girlfriend, a Mexico City native, to death in San Pancho, Nayarit, México. He alleges he threw her inside the shower with force after she told him she had cheated where she hit her head and passed away minutes later.”
Phil Baroni is best remembered as a journeyman after 19 year career
In addition to the cheating allegations, the report says that the 46-year-old was under the combined influence of drugs and alcohol. While there is no official cause of death as of this writing, Baroni faces murder charges and is in the custody of the State Police.
Baroni was no stranger to controversy over the course of his long career. In 2014, He saw his run with Bellator cut short when he came out to support War Machine (formerly known as Johnathan Koppenhaver) following his assault and rape of ex-girlfriend Christy Mack.
In 2007, Baroni was arrested for threatening a public servant in Florida.
Over the course of Baroni’s career, he amassed a 16-19 record. He was best remembered as a rugged journeyman. His last fight took place in 2019, a loss to Sai Wang at a Rebel FC event in Shanghai.
