Prior to their Titan Fighting Championship debut yesterday, both men were coming off of losses–in Phil’s case, consecutive losses–three-in-a-row. However, both men were able to gut out clear-cut decision victories over their respective opponents, however it wasn’t without extenuated efforts put forward by both combatants.

Lashley, a veteran of the Strikeforce cage (who may very well be still signed with the organization) returned to action for the first time since a disappointing loss to the unheralded Chad Griggs last August in Houston, Texas.

Bobby squared off with John Ott under the TFC banner, which aired live on HdNet, and while Bobby was the heavy favorite heading into the heavyweight tilt, someone forgot to tell Ott that the odds were not on his side. John, who in the past has competed as low as 185-pounds, remained vigilante and patient in his bout with Lashley, despite the collegiate Division I wrestling All-American repeatedly dumping him with takedown after takedown for two-rounds. In the final stanza, Ott seemed to be on his way to a come-from-behind win when he made Lashley increasingly uncomfortable on the feet, stinging him with punches in bunches. As fatigued as he was, Lashley managed to earn a final takedown and continue to work the ground-and-pound style that he utilized throughout the bout to eventually earn the decision win.

Baroni, though primarily an aggressive, in-your-face striker in his own right, worked some of his own grappling skills in his bout with the grizzly Nick Nolte–which was something that I’m sure neither man had accounted for, but it went there. At just 3-2 at the time, Nolte was the considerable underdog against the UFC, PRIDE, and Strikeforce veteran–however he played anything but the sort. Nolte took command of the bout early, clinching Baroni and damaging him with short hooks and knees, however it was “The New York Badass” that initiated the the grappling exchanges. Whenever he felt he was in danger on the feet, Phil worked the action to the mat, using some nice trips and singles, peppered in with some ground and pound that inevitably earned him the decision win.

So, MMA peeps, where would you like to see either combatant go from here? Could either man be competitive in the top levels of this sport? Sound off in the comment section below.

Pete Sell is known for delivering and taking big blows.  His knockout of Phil Baroni and war with Scott Smith are UFC classics. After going 1-4 in his last five UFC fights and being released in the spring of 2009, the man called “Drago” is plotting his return.  His go-for-broke style was fan pleasing yet not the best strategy for his long term career.  After his loss to Matt Brown at UFC 96, Sell took a much needed breather and a very hard look at his career.

“What are you going to do to me that hasn’t been done to me already.  I have been knocked out on national television.  I know what it is all about.  I feel like I am in a good head right now.”

The wars may have taken their toll on Sell but also opened his eyes to what he needed to do.

“I took the time to reflect on things and reinvent myself.”

What this reinvention will look like is still to be determined.  Sell knows his MMA DNA is as a brawler, but not many know he is a black belt in Jiu Jitsu, which may play a larger role in his future style as he works to surmount his desire to slug.

“Let me tell you something, this wasn’t an easy thing for me to overcome, but over practice and time I have gotten a lot better with that. I know when you go at somebody you can’t just get it back right there (if hurt), you got to be ‘I am going to get you’ it may not be right now but I will get you … you got to keep emotions out of it.”

Sell’s manager is on the job, seeking out his first comeback fight with a national organization and they expect some news very soon.  “Drago” is back in the gym twice a day, at Ray Longo’s for striking and Serra Jiu Jitsu for his ground game.  Both gyms are in good spirits with the rise of Sell’s training partner, Chris Weidman, as he prepares for his first UFC fight against Alessio Sakara.

“The guy (Weidman), his Jiu Jitsu got phenomenal, his wrestling is retarded … his boxing is awesome, if I was going to pick his weakness – I don’t really know.  The kid has a bright future ahead of him.”

Sell’s long layoff has been partially due to a serious groin tear he suffered last summer.  Now fully healthy, “Drago” feels the big blows he took in the UFC have not slowed him down and his chin is as strong as ever looking forward to his second act as a mixed martial artist.

“When I am in there sparring, I am getting hit, hit hard, and coming back, I feel so good.  I am good to go man. I am playing a smarter game now, playing it safer and not gonna take a couple to give a couple.”

Look for the new and improved Pete “Drago” Sell in a big time MMA cage very soon.

—

What are your favorite Pete Sell memories from his UFC career.  His fights were never dull!

5. Phil Baroni – The Trickshot Spammer

This is the guy who tries to always do the 360 noscope, or the across-the-map throwing knife/tomahawk, or any number of seemingly-impossible feats of gaming awesomeness.  Nine out of ten times it embarrassingly backfires in a most heinous way, but whenever that tenth time rolls around, the Trickshot Spammer will practically blow your ears out because of how hard they’re screaming into the mic and calling themselves legendary. The same could be said for Phil Baroni, who usually ends up on the wrong side of a bad KO, but once that tenth time rolls around, he shouts “I’m the best eva!” about fifty thousand times.

4. Anderson Silva-– zzirGrizz

If you don’t know who this man is, put his name into a YouTube searchbar along with the words “The Matrix”. To make a long story short, Grizz is the type of player that doesn’t talk, he simply does. And he’s the best he is at what he does. And what he does is come up with amazing ways to kill you, ways so incredibly difficult that you’re almost honored to be on the receiving end of such an ultra-embarrassing kill. The same could be said for Anderson Silva, who’s always coming up with new ways to viciously and dramatically separate his opponents from consciousness. And while both have stumbled along the way, both are generally regarded as being at the very top of their chosen profession.

3. Junior dos Santos – Sandy Ravage

Again, YouTube him if you haven’t heard of him. Sandy is the type of player with the insane score you wish you could have but don’t think is possible, until you see that he’s been able to reach that score. He’s the guy who gets at least fifteen kills for every death, he’s the kind of guy that can enter a losing game and single-handedly proceed to bring his team back from the brink and make it look easy while doing so. Plain and simple, Sandy Ravage is an engine of destruction. And so is Junior dos Santos. I truly, truly shudder to think what would happen if these two were to meet.

2. Shinya Aoki – The Tryhard Crybaby

There are tryhards (those that take the game too seriously), and there are crybabies (those that whine non-stop), and then there is the rare and incredibly infuriating mix of the two. This is the gamer that lives and dies by his highscore, and if you somehow manage to beat him, consider him your enemy for life. That pretty much sums up Shinya Aoki’s abrupt turn into a bad-boy: when the Japanese crowd turned on him, he flicked them off and went out of his way to lash back at them for daring to cheer another fighter. And much like Aoki, it’s hilarious when all of the Tryhard Crybaby’s taunts and boasts ends up backfiring on him, because he’s usually subject to such intense ridicule that he immediately leaves the game and runs crying to his mother.

And finally, we have…

1. Chael Sonnen – GUN1T123

Now and forever, the crowning achievement of both the gamer and the fighter will be mired in controversy. Chael Sonnen’s dominant near-victory over Anderson Silva will be always tarnished by the fact that he was on steroids when it happened, and fans continue to ridicule him for it. Shaggy, a.k.a. GUN1T, will forever be remembered as the YouTube commentator that became famous for getting the “world’s fastest nuke”, which basically means that he got a very high amount of kills in a very short amount of time, only for it later to be revealed that he had faked the whole thing. Both the fighter and the gamer have shown real skill before their scandals, but both have come to be defined by their momentary, albeit incredibly high-profile, lapses in judgment.

And so there you have it, fans and friends: ten MMA fighters and what they’d be like if they played COD. Now that it’s all over, what’s your opinion?

The former middleweight contender has been shopping around from home-to-home over the years, having fought in PRIDE, EliteXC, King of the Cage, Icon Sport, and Strikeforce before he made a two-fight residence with the worlds largest mixed martial arts organization: the UFC.

During his most recent stint, Baroni went 0-2 in competition, with losses to season seven winner of “The Ultimate Fighter” in Amir Sadollah as a welterweight, then most recently Phil moved back up to the 185-pound division in order to face another TUF alumni in Brad Tavares.

In the bout with the young Hawaiian, Baroni, who trained with the American Kickboxing Academy alongside the likes of Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck, and Josh Thomson was able to knock down the young gun early with a strong right hand, however was unable to capitalize on the opportunity presented to him.

Tavares later rallied back with a high-kick and a quick barrage of punches left Baroni unable to continue and with that, Phil was declared the loser via knockout.

Following the loss, the 34-year-old received his UFC pink slips, and has now evened up his professional record with a very pedestrian 13-13 record, despite having competed against some of the best fighters the sport has had to offer over the years. MMAJunkie.com were able to confirm the news of the release with sources close to Phil.

Phil has now lost three in-a-row, beginning his losing streak with a decision loss to veteran Joe Riggs under the Strikeforce banner in June of 2009.

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of the most recent release? Baroni contends that he is nowhere near done with his mixed martial arts career–so where should he go from here? Sound off in the comment section below.

According to MMA Junkie, the UFC 125 medical suspensions are as follows.

Frankie Edgar: Suspended until July 1 due to nasal fracture, though a doctor can clear him early. Minimum suspension until February 16 with no contact until February 1.

Gray Maynard: Suspended until February 16 with no contact until January 23 due to facial lacerations.

Chris Leben: Suspended until February 6 with no contact until February 1 for precautionary reasons.

Brandon Vera: Suspended until July 1 due to nasal fracture, though a doctor can clear him early. Minimum suspension until February 16 with no contact until February 1.

Marcus Davis: Suspended until July 1 due to nasal fracture, though a doctor can clear him early, Minimum suspension until March 3 with no contact until February 16.

Josh Grispi: Suspended until July 1 due to a jaw injury, though a doctor can clear him early. Minimum suspension until February 16 with no contact until February 1.

Phil Baroni: Suspended until July 1 due to nasal fracture, though a doctor can clear him early. Minimum suspension until March 3 with no contact until February 16.

Diego Nunes: Suspended until January 23 with no contact until January 16 due to left-eye contusion.

Greg Soto: Suspended until July 1 due to a left-shoulder injury, though a doctor can clear him early.

It should come as no surprise that all four brothers of the broken nose had their noses wrecked, since all four received some brutal punishment throughout the night. Phil Baroni showed some early promise in his bout with Brad Tavares, but once again Baroni proved that his chin is suspect when hit cleanly, as Tavares ended up TKO’ing Baroni in Round 1. Marcus Davis looked to be doing good in his Lightweight debut against Jeremy Stephens… until Stephens landed a bomb that knocked Davis out cold. Brandon Vera’s injury needs no introduction, and it’s something that has to be seen to be believed. It truly is one of the most gruesome breaks I’ve ever seen in MMA. And Frank Edgar’s broken nose was most likely the result of the utterly insane amount of damage that he absorbed in Round 1, and to be honest, I’m still utterly baffled at how Edgar was able to survive Maynard’s onslaught.

All in all, I hope everyone heals up, because a lot of fighters put on some very entertaining performances at UFC 125 and I look forward to seeing all of them back into the Octagon sooner rather than later. And what about you, fans and friends? What do you make of the UFC 125 medical suspensions?

5. Because despite all his problems, Phil Baroni still entertains. I personally dislike the man and even I can admit that he still knows how to put on entertaining fights. Love him or hate him, “The New York Badass” loves to strike and does his best to entertain. Phil Baroni is still good for a cheap thrill far more often than not, so his undercard fight at UFC 125 against Brad Tavares will more than likely warrant a watching.

4. The UFC debut of Antonio McKee. McKee is a showman through and through, and most recently compared himself to Muhammed Ali. It’s going to be very interesting to see if McKee can live up to his many (and believe me, I do mean many) verbal boasts. And McKee knows it’s a “do or die” situation whether he wants to admit it or not: he’s forty years old and a thirty-fight veteran, so there’s no time like the present.

3. The UFC re-debut of Mike Thomas Brown. Mike Brown has been in a prolonged struggle to right the ship ever since Jose Aldo famously finished him and took his WEC Featherweight Championship. At UFC 125, Brown looks to put together a two-fight win-streak over the 15-1 Diego Nunes. Like Brown, Nunes is a versatile fighter that’s comfortable in and can finish opponents in all areas of the game. Whoever wins this fight will take an important step forward and more than likely make the main card in their next fight.

2. To see Dustin Poirer either do the impossible against Josh Grispi… or get utterly annihilated by him. Either way, we’re in for a great fight. Dustin Poirer has the odds stacked against him considerably; many consider Josh Grispi the last, great test for Jose Aldo at Featherweight. If he wins, Poirer will explode onto the scene and immediately emerge as one of the UFC’s premiere Featherweights. Standing in his way is a man that’s almost as much of an engine of destruction as the champion he was originally scheduled to face. It’s going to end violently, most likely in the first round, and it should be an amazing fight no matter how long it lasts.

And my #1 reason to track down and watch the UFC 125 prelims/undercard is…

1. The Lightweight debut of Marcus Davis. You know what you’ll be getting when you see Marcus Davis step into the Octagon: a hard-hitting brawl that’s pure entertainment even if it’s lacking a lot in the finesse department. Against an opponent like Jeremy Stephens, Davis has all the tools necessary to make this an excellent war of attrition. Davis has stated that the drop down to Lightweight has given him a renewed sense of purpose and that he’s healthy both mentally and physically. At least on paper, this should be one of the best fights of the night.

So there you have it, fans and friends. What’s your take on UFC 125’s undercard?

Frankie Edgar (c) vs. Gray Maynard for the UFC Lightweight Championship, Chris Leben vs. Brian Stann, Thiago Silva vs. Brandon Vera, Nate Diaz vs. Dong Hyun Kim, Takanori Gomi vs. Clay Guida, Marcus Davis vs. Jeremy Stephens, Josh Grispi vs. Dustin Poirier, Phil Baroni vs. Brad Tavares, Mike Thomas Brown vs. Diego Nunes, Daniel Roberts vs. Greg Soto, and Antonio McKee vs. Jacob Volkmann.

My early thoughts on this card are very simple and easily summarized: wow. This is an awesome-looking card. I say this without hyperbole: I think all of the main card fights could have headlined their own “Fight Night Live” special. Chris Leben vs. Brian Stann should be a great back-and-forth war. Thiago Silva vs. Brandon Vera is going to end very, very violently. Nate Diaz vs. Dong Hyun Kim should be an important stepping stone and proving point for both men, especially if either one is able to finish and finish convincingly. And then you have Takanori Gomi vs. Clay Guida: it won’t be technical by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s going to be one entertaining scrap and a fantastic way to kick off the PPV portion of the show.

We’ve even got some pretty good names on the undercard. Marcus Davis always steps into the Octagon ready to brawl. Josh Grispi would have been the next man to face Jose Aldo if Aldo hadn’t pulled out with an injury. Mike Brown is a former WEC champion. You’ve even got veterans like Antonio McKee, Phil Baroni, and Jeremy Stephens. Some may say that the preliminary card has a lot of fighters that are down on their luck in their most-recent fights, but I personally think that shouldn’t and ultimately doesn’t overshadow the fact that they almost always put on entertaining fights.

And in the main event, you’ve got two great Lightweights competing for the championship of a division that’s been blown wide open ever since Frankie “The Answer” Edgar managed to beat BJ Penn not once, but twice. In an era where “The Prodigy” is back at Welterweight and Frank Edgar is the #1 Lightweight in the world, it’s literally anyone’s ballgame. This should be a fantastic fight between two great wrestlers, and I personally can’t wait to see it happen. I know that some fans are quick to criticize how both men haven’t finished their opponents in what feels like forever, but I’m willing to give both these men a pass since they’re entertaining throughout their long wars that end up going to the judges. Don’t believe the doom-sayers, fans and friends: Frank Edgar vs. Gray Maynard is going to be an awesome fight.

So that’s what I think, fans and friends. What about you? Now that everything is “officially official”, what’s your opinion on UFC 125: “Resolution”?

Next New Year’s, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the UFC will return to Nevada with a lightweight title fight pitting current champion Frankie Edgar, who is riding on a 5-fight win streak (which included two back-to-back victories over former champion BJ Penn) will look to exact revenge when he defends his title against the only man to defeat him, undefeated UFC lightweight title challenger Gray Maynard.

Also in action, former Interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin is coming back to action after succumbing to his first defeat as a professional at UFC 116 when he tangles with the former IFL heavyweight champion and season 10 winner of “The Ultimate Fighter”, Roy Nelson.

Nate Diaz has recently been announced as a new addition to the card. Making his third consecutive trip to the welterweight division, Diaz will look to go three-in-a-row following some recent success with victories over Rory Markham and Marcus Davis (respectively) finishing both competitors before it went the distance.

Meeting Diaz will be Korean Judoka, Dong Hyun Kim. An undefeated prospect in the 170-pound division, Diaz will arguably be his toughest test to date, and should Dong come away from the bout in impressive fashion, it could spell title implications.

While no official word has come as far the order of the match ups, though I would assert that the card should look something like this. Here is the event in it’s entirety, though additional match ups are soon to be announced.

Main Card:
-Lightweight Championship bout: Frankie Edgar (champion) vs. Gray Maynard
-Heavyweight bout: Shane Carwin vs. Roy Nelson
-Lightweight bout: Clay Guida vs. Takanori Gomi
-Middleweight bout: Chris Leben vs. Brian Stann
-Welterweight bout: Nate Diaz vs. Dong Hyun Kim

Preliminary:
-Light Heavyweight bout: Brandon Vera vs. Thiago Silva
-Middleweight bout: Phil Baroni vs. Brad Tavares
-Lightweight bout: Antonio McKee vs. Jacob Volkmann

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of match ups so far? Any additional bouts you would like to see make the main card? Which bouts do you think, should they be featured, for the Spike Prelims special?
Sound off in the comment section below.

Beginning his career in the 185-pound division where he had picked up some of the largest wins of his career, which includes an 18-second drubbing of former middleweight champ Dave Menne, in what has to be remembered as one of the greatest knockouts of all time.

Emaciating himself to the 170-pound division for his last several fights, “The New York Bad Ass” returns to where it all began in, when he makes his way back to the middleweight division in hopes to deliver another career highlight reel.

In his way, will be fellow banger in the young Hawaiian, Brad Tavares, as MMAJunkie.com has reported. Competing on the eleventh season of “The Ultimate Fighter”, the 22-year-old finished as a semi-finalist, eventually losing on the show to finalist and TUF winner, Court McGee.

Professionally still undefeated, Tavares was able to return on the shows finale and earned a unanimous decision victory over fellow castmate Seth Baczynski.

Baroni, meanwhile, is riding a two-fight losing streak. After being released by Strikeforce in June of 2009, following a decision loss to Joe Riggs, Baroni was signed to the UFC and competed against season seven winner of TUF, Amir Sadollah at UFC 106 in November of that year, in his last outing. Phil had his moments, however, the then 1-1 Amir was able to outwork the veteran en route to a decision victory.

Phil will likely be fighting for his place with the promotion, where he finds himself with a compiled 3-6 record inside the cage.

UFC 125 takes place on January 1., in Las Vegas, Nev., in what is expected to be the date where Frankie Edgar will look to defend his title for a second time against former for, Gray Maynard, in a rematch stemming back from 2008.

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of this match up? Will Tavares be the victor, or will Baroni probe that an old dog can still learn new tricks? Sound off in the comment section below.

Topping the bill is the return of former UFC light heavyweight champion “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz (15-6-1) as he is set to face former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin (16-4) in a rematch of the 2006 fight that was Griffin’s first loss in the UFC.

Although a winner of the inaugural Ultimate Fighter reality show, to many observers Griffin’s loss to the veteran Ortiz was the fight that catapulted the Xtreme Couture fighter into the deeper ranks of professional MMA. Now currently coming off a two fight losing streak, Griffin has a lot to win and a lot to lose when he faces Ortiz for the second time.

For Ortiz, UFC 106 will be a triumphant return to the promotion following over a year of bad blood with the organization. His last appearance in the Octagon was a losing effort at the hands of current UFC light heavyweight champion “Dragon” Lyoto Machida (13-0) at UFC 84 in May, 2008.

UFC 106 will also feature two heavy-handed welterweights as Josh Koscheck (13-4) is set to clash against “Rumble” Anthony Johnson (8-2) in the co-main-event. Johnson is recently coming off a devastating win over “Zenko” Yoshiyuki Yoshida (10-3) in 41 seconds of a catchweight bout at UFC 104.

The fight card is rounded out by a series of bouts that set a theme of old versus new when veteran of the UFC and PRIDE Fighting Championship “New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni (13-11) returns to the Octagon for the first time since UFC 51 in 2005 to face off against The Ultimate Fighter 7 champ Amir Sadollah (1-1).

Fighters.com seventh-ranked light heavyweight “Banha” Luis Arthur Cane (8-1) and fellow Brazilian ”Minotoro” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (12-3) continue the theme of veteran versus up-and-comer. Nogueira makes his UFC debut following a near decade-long career worldwide.

Remaining main card bouts for UFC 106 include UFC veteran and Judo superstar “The Heat” Karo Parisyan (18-5) as he meets Dustin Hazelett (11-4). “Irish Hand Grenade” Marcus Davis (14-4) is set to fight American Top Team’s “KIlla B” Ben Saunders (5-0-2 ). And the Ultimate Fighter 3 winner, “Da Spyder” Kendall Grove (9-6) will take on wrestler and WEC alumnus Jake Rosholt (6-1).

UFC 106 is rounded out by Paulo Thiago (7-1) versus Jacob Volkmann (9-0), Brock Larson (27-3) versus Brian Foster (9-12), Caol Uno (25-11-4) versus Fabricio Camoes (6-0), and George Sotiropoulos (10-2) versus Jason Dent (29-9).

UFC champ and Fighters.com’s second-ranked heavyweight Brock Lesnar (4-1) will defend his title versus sixth-ranked Shane Carwin (10-0) in the UFC 106 main event.

Also on the card, light heavyweights “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz (15-6-1) and “Hammer” Mark Coleman (16-9) will fight in a battle of UFC legends.

Inside Fights reports the matchup will be at UFC 106 in Las Vegas 21 November.

Baroni was released by Strikeforce 14 August before signing to return to the Octagon for the first time since going to sleep in a guillotine by “Drago” Pete Sell (8-5) at UFC 51 in Las Vegas in February 2005. Baroni called his UFC contract “an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

In an unusual press release, Strikeforce stated in explanation: “The 33-year-old Baroni has lost four of his last seven bouts. In his last appearance, a welterweight matchup with “Diesel” Joe Riggs (30-11) [in St. Louis 6 June], Baroni sustained a one-sided defeat by way of unanimous judges’ decision.”

“I did not get a phone call or even a letter [from Strikeforce]. My agent, Ken Pavia, told me [I was cut],” Baroni told Fighters.com Thursday. “I dont know why a show would send out a press release they cut somebody. Bush league and really shitty in my opinion.”

Sadollah will return after a 29-second TKO loss to John Hendricks (6-0) at UFC 101 in Philadelphia 8 August, a controversial referee stoppage that really wasn’t.

Welterweight Matt Hughes (41-7) signed a four-fight deal that sources inside Hughes’s camp tell Fighters.com Hughes expects to lead him into retirement.

Hughes won a unanimous decision over “Terror” Matt Serra (9-6) three months ago and White announced in a pre-UFC 102 presser that Hughes won’t return for at least another three months. Hughes was on hiatus for nearly an entire year before his UD over Serra.

That’s the schedule Fighters.com’s sources say Hughes expects winding down his career: no more than two fights per year.

But, Hughes refuses to be cast as stepping-stone for 170-pound potential, nor does he expect to compete at the top of the division any longer. Hughes wants competitive fights versus established names.

However, after Serra called for a rematch at MMA Weekly last month, Hughes confidant Brian Patton told Fighters.com, “[Hughes] already beat [Serra]. What does fighting him again gain Hughes? I would not think that fighting [Serra] is in [Hughes's] plans.”

The established name most interesting to Hughes is recently UFC-signed “Superman” Dennis Hallman (41-12-1). Hallman has two stoppages over Hughes in 37 seconds of fighting, a 17-second guillotine chokeout at Extreme Challenge 21 in Wisconsin in 1998 and a 20-second armbar submission at UFC 29 in Tokyo in 2000.

Old scores among warriors aren’t settled with time, they’re settled in the cage. And, the matchup meets Hughes’s requirements and has street cred’ among the MMA core.

Hallman’s agent, Ken Pavia, told Fighters.com Tuesday, “It has been discussed. Seems inevitable that the matchup will happen again.”

Another acceptable matchup for Hughes is another Pavia’managed recent UFC returnee: “New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni (13-11), but Fighters.com speculates Serra is more likely to draw Baroni in a cross-Long Island affair while Hughes takes a shot a settling his score with Hallman.

However, the wild card is Hughes’s drawing power. Hughes could be asked by White to step-in to strengthen a card at any time and, as he did versus “Pitbull” Thiago Alves (16-4) at UFC 85 in London in June 2008, loyal Hughes will oblige whether or not it’s in his own interests or according to his plans.

None of these matchups have been confirmed by the UFC.

In an unusual and stinging press release, the San Jose-based promotion justified it’s decision: “The 33-year-old Baroni has lost four of his last seven bouts. In his last appearance, a welterweight matchup with “Diesel” Joe Riggs (30-11) [in St. Louis 6 June], Baroni sustained a one-sided defeat by way of unanimous judges’ decision.”

Before Baroni’s release was officially announced, Sherdog reported Baroni had verbally agreed to a contract returning him to the UFC for the first time since tapping out in a guillotine to “Drago” Pete Sell (8-5) at UFC 51 in Las Vegas in February 2005.

Fighters.com hasn’t confirmed Sherdog’s report. However, that would explain the unusual statement from Strikeforce on a matter promotions are usually more discreet and respectful about.

If Sherdog’s report is true, it seems to Fighters.com that Baroni has become a pawn in the new war between behemoth UFC and quick-rising Strikeforce.

Strikeforce’s contracts are open, allowing Baroni to negotiate with the UFC while under contract with Strikeforce. The UFC is vacuuming up established fighters, including Baroni and yesterday’s additions of welterweight “Superman” Dennis Hallman (41-12-1) and light heavyweight “Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (22-4), in an effort to leave Strikeforce with few recognizable names to add to their fight cards. So, Strikeforce precluded losing Baroni to the UFC by releasing him, leaving the impression that it’s the UFC taking Strikeforce’s leftovers.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker added a personal statement in Thursday’s press release: “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.”

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said, “We’re going to try to put [Ludwig] and Baroni together.  Since they’re so close in weight now, we should definitely put that fight together at 170 [pounds]. They should fight either in Denver or Seattle.”

Ludwig TKO’d “The Squeeze” Sam Morgan (19-12) in the first round at Strikeforce’s last event 3 October.

Baroni was scheduled to fight on the same card, but he suffered a cut requiring stitches during his unanimous decision win over Olaf Alfonso (7-9) the previous week and was pulled.

Baroni won a unanimous decision over Olaf Alfonso (7-9) at the Palace Fighting Championship last Friday, but got cut with Alfonso’s “only big punch of the fight” in the first round.

Pavia said, “It was significant enough that it required six stitches right in his eyelid.  Between the first and second round he realized he was cut and was like, ‘Aww man, now I can’t fight next week.’

“He had the PFC fight inked when Strikeforce came to us but they felt that Phil would come out unscathed so we took the fight even though it was going to be a tough cut for two consecutives weeks. There will always be intangibles and anything could happen.”

The cut will likely take 3-4 weeks to heal.

Baroni got cut early, but tagged Alfonso with punches and floored him with takedowns the majority of the fight.

Bryan Travers (11-1) picked up the Palace Fighting Championship welterweight title with a close UD over Jeremiah Metcalf (9-6) by scores of 48-47 on all three judges’ score cards.

Shawn Klarcyk (9-2) defended his PFC Bantamweight Championship from Brandon Miller (3-3) by armbar at 2:19 of round two.

PFC Lightweight Champion Brian Cobb (13-4) also fought off David Gardner‘s (14-10) advances on his gold in a UD by scores of 50-45 from all three judges.

Featherweight Joe Soto (3-0) pounded out Brandon Jinnies (3-10) on the mat in 59 seconds.

The Pit’s Antonio Banuelos (15-5) knocked out Bryan Goldsby (4-4) at 59 seconds of the second round.

“Big” Lavar Johnson (9-2) ended heavyweight Vince Lucero‘s (19-15) night with a right hook at 1:16 of round one.

Flyweight David Suarez (2-1) knocked out David Mitchell (1-1) by slam at 1:15 of round one.

“Professor X” Xavier Foupa-Pokam (18-9) tapped Richard Montoya (6-5) in an armbar at 1:13 of round one.

“Tachi Kid” Poppies Martinez (15-5) won a rematch by unanimous decision over lightweight Sergio Cortez (4-4).

Dustin Akbari (3-0) TKO’d Bill Theofanopoulos (2-1) at 1:35 of round one.

Chad Mendes (1-0) tapped Geovanni Encarnacion (0-2) in a rear naked choke at 2:06 of round one.

Luis Gonzalez (2-1) TKO’d Elbert Randle (0-1) at 2:24 of round one.

Joey Cabezas (1-0) TKO’d Billy Terry (3-9) in just 54 seconds.

Omar Sandoval (1-0) won a UD over Mike Craddock (2-3).

Chris Bothelo (1-0) won a majority decision over Anthony Bivens (0-1).

The event will take place 26 September in Lemoore, CA, located in the San Joaquin Valley between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

After moving down to welterweight, Baroni won his two recent fights, a first-round knockout of Scott Jansen (3-3) in July, and a 51-second TKO of Ron Verdadero (3-6) less than a month later.

Alfonso won his last two fights after dropping six in a row, most recently knocking out Chris Solomon (1-5) in 28 seconds in May.

“I had a lot of doubts going in here,” Baroni said after losing three straight and spending his entire career at 185-pounds, “but I erased them with that right hand.”

The usually brash “Bad Ass” lost a bit of bravado with the 15 pounds of inflated muscle, graciously admitting, “I feel really lucky to have this opportunity.”

In an unfortunate scene of MMA hooliganism, a friend of Jansen’s attacked Baroni in the cage after the knockout; but, order was quickly restored.

A reinvigorated Baroni asked after the fight, “Who’s next?”

CageRage is owned by ProElite, which also owns EliteXC and Icon and has a working relationship with Strikeforce, leaving open a lot of options for Baroni in his new weight class.

Heavyweight Neil Grove (6-1) knocked out “Buzz” Robert Berry (12-8) at 1:29 of round two, ending any leftover controversy from a Grove corner stoppage “W” over Berry last December.

Mustapha al Turk (6-3) earned the CageRage British Heavyweight Championship in two minutes of G’n'P on James McSweeney’s (1-2) head.

“Kong” Tom Watson (6-3) won a unanimous decision over John Phillips (6-2).

Heavyweight “Crazy Bear” Stav Economou (7-0) stayed undefeated with a unanimous decision over Piotr Kusmierz (1-1).

CageRage British Featherweight Champion “The Flame” Robbie Olivier (15-8–1) defended his belt from “Ash Cream Man” Ashleigh Grimshaw (5-4-1) with a second round rear naked choke.

Featherweight “One Punch” Brad Pickett (14-4) used a guillotine to choke out Italian Cristian Binda (4-5).

Irish Jason Young (4-1) pounded Francis Heagney (4-3) to earn the vacant CageRage British Lightweight Championship by unanimous decision.

In the main event, “Colossus” James Thompson (14-9) exposed “Kimbo Slice” Kevin Ferguson (3-0) in a third-round stoppage loss.

Former Ultimate Fighters Lawler and Smith fought to a controversial no contest halted when Smith absorbed a finger in his right eye from a defending Lawler.

Smith protested the end of a fight that was building into the primetime MMA era’s sequel to Griffin v Bonnar, while Lawler hung his head in disappointment.

“Hands of Stone” opened round one of his title challenge establishing his high kick.  Lawler was cagey in defense, pawing a jab and feigning a takedown.

It wasn’t long before the fireworks shot off and didn’t end.  Lawler countered a Superman punch from Smith with a straight right.  Smith belted back with a right high kick, backing up the champion.  Lawler threw haymakers in defense, then clinched up to throw hooks to Smith’s head.  The warriors traded body kicks to end round one.

Lawler established his jab in round two, setting up an uppercut.  Smith defended with Thai clinch in which he landed knees and elbows as Lawler struggled to free himself.  The fighters crashed into the cage and dirty boxed, Lawler landing uppercuts while Smith countered with elbows.

The fireworks came to an anti-climactic end in round three as doctors inexplicably called an end to the fight after Smith took a Lawler finger to the eye.

Slice Has “A Lot To Learn”

“I’ve got a lot to learn, a long way to go,” Kimbo Slice admitted after enduring a spirited assault from “Colossus”.

Thompson kept his pre-fight promise early, putting Slice on the mat with a single-leg takedown.  Thompson postured up and pounded Slice; but, Slice easily stood out of Thompson’s mount.

Thompson pressed Slice to the cage and worked a standing guillotine; but, Slice battled out with an elbow to Thompson’s head.  Slice ate another punch and the pair went back to the mat.

Slice worked an interesting neck crank from side control; but, Thompson defended and the two scrambled back to their feet before Thompson dropped Slice again into side control and hammered elbows.

Thompson committed to an Americana; and, Slice rolled Thompson into half-mount, attempting his own Americana while Thompson worked a Kimura.

Slice was able to get back to striking at the beginning of round two; but, Thompson took Slice down at will.

The final minute-and-a-half of the round, Thompson pinned Slice’s right arm beneath his knee from half-mount and pounded fists and elbows to Slice’s skull.

“I didn’t know he was going to be that strong on the ground,” said Slice.

Slice threw from the round three bell, landing a right overhand that caused blood to trickle from Thompson’s left, cauliflowered ear.  Slice followed with a series of straight lefts and right uppercuts before the referee stepped between the fighters at :38.

Thompson pushed the referee in protest of the stoppage.

Slice said, “I knew I busted his ear.  The ref did a good job, because I was going to aim for it again.”

Baroni Smoked by Villasenor

“Smokin’” Joey Villasenor (26-6) TKO’d “New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni (10-10) at 1:11 of round one.

Baroni scored the early advantage catching a “Smokin’” high kick and dumping Villasenor to mat.  Baroni followed with rights, but backed off and allowed Villasenor to stand.

Villasenor jawed Baroni with a short left.

“It was all about fighting at range.  Me and me coach been workin’ on that,” Villasenor said.

Baroni backpedaled and Villasenor closed to a standing guillotine.

Villasenor admitted, “I knew the choke wasn’t going to be secure enough to make him tap, but I knew he was going to be wheezing after that.”

Villasenor released the choke and hammered a 4-1-2 combo that dropped “NYBA”and ended the fight.

Grim Ending for Murphy

“The Grim” Brett Rogers (7-0) knocked out Jon Murphy (4-3) at 1:01 of round one.

“This mean a lot to me.  I’m movin’ up and up and up,” Rogers said.

Murphy scored a right punch early, leading to a clinch at the fence.  Rogers pummeled off the fence and slipped a right hook to Murphy’s jaw during an exchange.  Murphy collapsed and the referee ended the fight by TKO.

Murphy danced in the cage in celebration.

Villasenor has won twice since losing to Rua by TKO in June 2007.  He won a split decision over Riki Fukuda (9-3) and knocked out Ryan Jensen (11-4) last month.

Baroni returns after losing an Icon middleweight title bout to Kala Kalohe Hose (6-1) in March.

No explanation for the change has been given.

The main event, reported last week by Fighters.com, will match “Kimbo Slice” Kevin Ferguson (2-0) versus “The Colossus” James Thompson (14-8) in a heavyweight scrap sure to end before the final bell.

“The Grim” Brett Rogers (6-0) earned a spot on the broadcast card when he knocked out “The Colossus” in February, though it evidently wasn’t enough to challenge “Slice” in the main event.  He’ll fight Jon Murphy (4-2), who comes off of a KO over Dave Huckaba (4-2) last August.

Also previously reported, Fighters.com’s number six middleweight “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (15-4) will defend his EliteXC championship versus “Hands of Stone” Scott Smith (13-4).

Finally, “New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni (10-9) will try to bounce back from his recent TKO loss to Icon Middleweight Champion Kala Kolohe Hose (6-1) versus “Ninja” Murilo Rua (15-8-1), who last crossed the Atlantic to pickup a stoppage in CageRage after Lawler knocked him out in his EliteXC debut.

“In terms of recognition and perception, I believe May 31 is the biggest and single most important MMA fight card ever,” said Gary Shaw, EliteXC Live Events President.  “It will forever change the landscape of the sport and how it is perceived.”

Given the pedestrian fight card and spectacle of a main event, let’s all hope not.

The card will air live in America at 9:00 PM EST/PT.

Why do fighters fight?

Versus “The New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni (10-9) for the Icon Sport Middleweight World Championship, Hawaii’s Kala Kolohe Hose (6-1) found his answer.

Hose found out what he’s made of, inside and out.

At the opening bell, “Bad Ass” catapulted out of his corner with bad intentions.  He easily dumped Hose to the mat with a double leg takedown and dumped leather in Hose’s face.

The island boy bucked and dodged as Baroni punched, scrambled, and stomped at Hose’s head.

“I honestly thought I was in trouble at that point,” Hose said.

The doubters must’ve been right.  The local boy was outclassed by the international journeyman.

But, three minutes into round one, Baroni began to whither, heaving for air.  Hose was gassed too after the initial adrenaline dump of his first title fight.

Despite the hype, it was Baroni’s first title fight too.  After a three minute ground’n'pound barrage, Baroni was done.

The final two minutes of round one wound down with the fighters on the mat gasping for air.

The New Yorker never met his rep as a big puncher, never even really tried.

In the second round, Baroni took Hose back to the mat where Hose attempted a Kimura without proper leverage.  Baroni toughed out the arm twist, but, before round two closed, Hose began pin-pointing punches.

By round three, Baroni’s hands dangled at his waist and, when distance allowed, he bent over with his hands on his knees for breathers.

Hose had recovered from the initial energy dump and found his game standing and on the ground.

When Baroni could no longer weather Hose’s punches, kicks, and knees, he’d shoot sluggishly and Hose would stuff him and tenderize his kidneys with hooking body punches.

Confidence that wasn’t present in Hose as he entered Icon Sport’s ring, now swelled the Waianae kid’s chest.  He was sure he belonged in the ring with Baroni.  He was going to win.

Baroni was deducted a point in the fourth round for continually throwing himself beneath the ropes to avoid Hose’s onslaughts.

At the beginning of round five, the Hawaiian tossed a big right hand in Baroni’s face.  Baroni crumbled and Hose unloaded over top of him.

At :26 of round five, the grueling slog was called by TKO for Kala Kolohe Hose, Icon Sport’s new middleweight world titlist.

“It feels good. I’d like to thank everybody out there,” a bashful, but ecstatic Hose announced after the fight.

An Icon Sports announcer called Hose’s TKO of Baroni, “One of the biggest upsets in MMA history.”

Not quite.  Don’t overrate 10-9 Baroni.  However, with the “W” comes a new confidence for Hose, enough now to meet former champ “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (15-4) with some mo’.

On the undercard, the Icon Sport’s Hawaii 145-pound strap also found a new waist.  “The Chosen One” and now former champ Bronsen Pieper (2-1) blocked a lunging right hook from Sadhu Bott (3-0) with his face.  Pieper crumbled forward and Bott took his back.  The islanders scrambled until Bott sucked an arm into an armbar.  Pieper held on longer than necessary, but tapped in agony at 4:33 of round one.

It took BJ Penn’s training partner “Da Boss” Ross Ebanez (18-6) just nine seconds to knockout 175-pound Brennan Kamaka (3-12) with a left hook that nearly sent Kamaka through the ropes.

Legend’s Gym fighter “Half Man Half Amazing” Jeremy Williams (5-0) matched Ebanez with his own left hook that knocked out “The Warrior” Auggie Padekan at 2:18 of round one.

“I’m looking for an Icon world title,” Williams announced, then noted, “I can either fight in Iowa or in Hawaii.”

At 135-pounds, Russell Doane (2-1) upset Icon vet Tyson Nam (4-2).  Doane began with a slick single leg takedown, but Nam smartly regained his feet as Doane stood to slam him.  Nam landed a stinging left hand, but Doane finagled the fight back to the mat and pounded Nam out at 3:53 of round one.

“Pretty Boy” Wayne Perrin, III (1-2) was probably feeling out 170-pound Koa Ramos (4-0) when he threw a lazy right high kick.  Ramos took the opportunity to plant Perrin III into the mat and pound “Pretty Boy” until he gave up his back for a first round guillotine choke submission.

“P.J. is animal, brah,” 160-pound Eddie Rincon described PJ Dean (1-2) after losing a unanimous decision to the Hawaiian.

Rincon pulled guard to open round one and got slobber-knocked into the mat the rest of the three round fight.

“I ain’t no steppin’ stone for nobody,” said Dean.

145-pound Matt Comeau (2-1) flattened Elias Delos Reyes (1-1) out and pound him to a second round TKO.

“The Tan Superman” David Padilla (7-13) and lightweight Alan Lima (2-0) spent three romantic rounds on the mat before the BJJ player, Lima, was awarded a unanimous decision.

135-pound Duane Haney (3-0) tapped touted striker Zack Rapal (0-1) in a guillotine choke as Rapal tried to stand out of guard.

145-pound Brandon Pieper (0-4) tapped out to “Hoku” Ricky Wallace (1-2) of Icon Gym at :37 seconds of round one in a standing guillotine.

Jay Bolos (1-3) walked his guard up the back of “Soljah Boy” Nui Wheeler (0-3) right into an armbar for the tap in round two.

In the first fight, Kona Ke lit-up Micah Ige with a right hook as Ige sought to clinch.  Ige fell forward and Ke threw him to the mat, fell on him, and wrapped up a rear naked choke for the tap.

Icon Sport is a Hawaii-based promotion under the ProElite umbrella.

Lawler, known as “Ruthless”, knocked out Frank Trigg for the title in March 2007, but has failed to defended due to various training injuries.

“I’m as disappointed as anybody with the injuries that have prevented me from fighting,” complained Lawler by SMS message.

Icon’s top contender has been Kala Kolohe Hose of Waianae since June 2007, most recently matched-up with Lawler in December.  Lawler pulled out of that title fight with a torn bicep.

“We had to bring in a fighter worthy of this belt,” Thompson claimed at Saturday’s press conference.

Hose grinned ear-to-ear as his opponent for a March 15 title showdown was announced.

“One of the most feared strikers in MMA,” Thompson teased.  “You know him as ‘The New York Bad Ass’, Phil Baroni will be [Hose's] opponent.”

Baroni last fought in June, suffering a rear naked choke TKO loss to Frank Shamrock in Strikeforce.

Thompson put the best possible spin on the fight, calling Baroni, “Someone that brings the honor and respect to the sport,” despite Baroni emerging from a six-month suspension after testing positive for steroids after his Shamrock loss.

“Too bad Lawler was afraid to fight [Hose], but I’m not,” Baroni taunted, then claimed, “I’ve fought the best fighters in the world, all over the world.”

Baroni is 10-8, 3-3 since winning his first two PRIDE fights in 2005 versus Ikuhisa Minowa and Ryo Chonan.

Hose is 5-1, knocking out five consecutive cans.

At Saturday’s press conference, Baroni called Hose, “A young Phil Baroni, chin down, hands up, and let’em fly.”

Lawler is 16-4 with wins versus Murilo Rua, Trigg, Joey Villasenor, and Falaniko Vitale.  Lawler said, “I also look forward to…winning the title back and wearing the Icon belt around my waist where it belongs.”

“You know any Jersey boy like me likes a ‘New  York Bad Ass’ and Phil’s definitely as bad as they come,’’ said EliteXC Live Events President, Gary Shaw, who made the announcement Saturday.  “Phil is a  promoter’s dream.  He’s a character but also as courageous a fighter as I’ve been  around.

“But what I truly  love about him is he always comes not only to fight but to win and put on a  show.  He’s a crowd-pleaser extraordinaire.   This is a great addition to the EliteXC family and we are thrilled to sign him.  Fans can expect to see Phil back in the cage and fighting his heart out very  soon.”

Baroni’s next fight is March 15 on the EliteXC Hawaii-based Icon Sport promotion.  Terms of the agreement were not  disclosed.

“This is a great deal and opportunity.  I appreciate EliteXC sticking with me and believing in me enough to sign me,’’ said Baroni, whose last fight came against Frank Shamrock on June 22, 2007.

A native of Long Island, N.Y., Baroni  didn’t win an incredibly exciting slugfest that lived  up to its hype and anticipation, but he showed as much grit and determination as anyone could expect.

“I’m looking  forward to returning to the cage and kicking (butt),’’ said Baroni, whose  EliteXC contract will allow him to continue to perform for Strikeforce.  “Everybody knows I got hurt early and couldn’t do everything I wanted to do against Shamrock.  But I’m 100 percent now, ready for anybody.  I pity the guy I  fight next, or the one after that.  Trust me, everybody is going to pay from here on out.”