Phil Baroni will make his return to the Octagon at UFC 106 on Nov. 21 against Amir Sadollah. The official bout agreements have yet to be signed, but both fighters have verbally agreed to the fight. This will mark the first time Baroni competes in the UFC since his UFC 51 loss to Pete Sell in February 2005. It's a big fight for both men, as each needs a convincing victory to help get their respective careers back on track.Baroni told FanHouse via e-mail on Wednesday that while he is happy to be fighting in the UFC again, he still feels like he has a lot to prove.
"I would have fought anybody. It's good to be back in the big show fighting in Las Vegas on a great card. I got in on a technicality in a way. I'll be happy after I win this fight and am offered another one by [UFC matchmaker] Joe Silva."
The technicality Baroni is referring to is that Strikeforce released him in August so that he can sign a new contract with them. The organization was hoping to book Baroni against Erik Apple on an upcoming Challengers card, but once Baroni officially cut ties with Strikeforce, he signed a deal with the UFC.
"I was released so I could sign a contract with contenders," he said. "I did not want to fight on [the] contenders show for less money, so I signed with the UFC for more."
Both Baroni and Sadollah have trained at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas in the past, but the "New York Bad Ass" didn't remember if their paths had ever crossed.
"I might have, but I don't really remember. Nothing for either one of us to go off of," he said.
The 33-year-old Las Vegas resident added that the 1-1 Sadollah, who recently lost in controversial fashion to Johny Hendricks at UFC 101 when referee Dan Miragliotta stopped the fight on a questionable note, has impressed him.
"I think he is a good fighter. Maybe a little bit green, but he is well-rounded. He showed toughness and that he has guts.
"He has heart. He has good Muay Thai and pulled off submissions in fights. I just believe I'm bringing more dog to this dog fight."
Of course, Baroni also believes he will "knock out" Sadollah, the winner of the seventh season of "The Ultimate Fighter." The former PRIDE and EliteXC fighter has won three of his last four fights.
Baroni said he isn't sure just yet whether his fight will be on the televised portion of the card.
UFC 106 is scheduled to be headlined by Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin for the UFC heavyweight title. Tito Ortiz will also make his return to the Octagon that night against Mark Coleman.
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