Former UFC and PRIDE fighter Phil Baroni was arrested in Mexico and charged with his girlfriend’s murder.
First reported by Tribuna De La Bahia, Baroni, 46, had allegedly flagged down police while in San Pancho, telling them that his girlfriend was unconscious and needed assistance. Arriving at the scene, police reportedly found a naked woman lying on a bed and covered by a sheet. The woman had injuries consistent with punches, resulting in bruising to her face and body. There were no vital signs by the time police arrived. She was announced dead at the scene.
“Uniformed officers arrived at the hotel with the informant, where they found the woman lying naked on a bed covered with a sheet that showed multiple marks of beatings, bruises on her face and parts of her body, and no vital signs,” the report noted.
In an interview with police, Baroni claimed that he was consuming alcohol and smoking marijuana when his girlfriend revealed that she had cheated on him. Demanding that she take a shower, the woman, only identified as Paola, refused. Baroni says that’s when he threw her into the shower at which point she fell and hit her head. Helping her back to her feet, Baroni took her to the bed and placed a sheet on her to keep her warm. The woman asked for a cigarette and a beer. Baroni retrieved the requested item, but when he returned, she was unconscious with no vital signs.
The State Tourist Police arrested Baroni on homicide charges. He’s being held by the Municipal Court of Valle De Banderas.
Phil Baroni competed under the UFC banner in the early 2000s, scoring wins in five out of six bouts before a four-fight losing streak led to his UFC release. Baroni made a brief return to the Octagon in 2009, losing back-to-back bouts. Between UFC stints, Baroni competed in practically every major MMA organization under the sun including PRIDE, EliteXC, Strikeforce, Titan FC, ONE, King of the Cage, and Bellator. His career came to a close in 2019 with an overall record of 16-19.
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping was among the first fighters to comment on the breaking news, hoping that it was nothing more than an internet hoax. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the case.
I’m really hoping this is a sick joke. Phil Baroni arrested for murdering his girlfriend??? https://t.co/Ah4QsuAue1
— michael (@bisping) January 3, 2023
