Former UFC Fighter Phil Baroni Arrested For Murdering Girlfriend

Former UFC Fighter Phil Baroni Arrested For Murdering Girlfriend

Former UFC fighter Phil Baroni has been arrested in Mexico for murder after the death of his girlfriend. The news was originally broke by Tribuna De La Bahia, a Mexican news outlet.

Baroni alerted police outside of his hotel room hotel that his girlfriend, Paola, (her full name has not been identified), was unconscious in an attempt to get help. When police arrived at the scene of the crime Paola was naked and unresponsive in bed with a bed sheet covering her. 

According to the original report, Baroni, 46, stated that he and Paola had been arguing after Paola admitted to cheating. Baroni then told Paola to take a shower, and when she refused, Baroni threw her in the shower. Paola hit her head against the shower wall and on the floor. Baroni then helped her to bed. 

Baroni added to the story by saying that Paola was cold so he took her clothes and covered her with the sheet. He then left the room because Paola asked for beer and cigars. 

The evidence found by the police conflicted with Baroni’s story. When police arrived they noticed that Baroni’s hands were visibly swollen as if he had just been in a fight. In addition, Paola’s body was covered with bruises. As a result, Baroni was arrested. 

Baroni was also under the influence of alcohol and marijuana at the time of the incident. 

Tribuna De La Bahia’s original report identified Baroni as the suspect. A State Department confirmed to the New York Post that Baroni is detained in Mexico and that they will assist in the case as needed.  

A full investigation into the incident will take place and Baroni will remain detained. 

Baroni fought in MMA from 2000 to 2019. Although he competed in a boxing match in 2021. In MMA, he fought in the UFC, ONE, PRIDE, and Strikeforce.

At this point, it is alleged that CTE has played a role in this incident. Former UFC champion Josh Barnett explained that Baroni had been showing obvious signs of CTE.

The news about Phil Baroni is terrible and incredibly tragic as well.

I've known Phil for 2 decades + and at the 1st JB Bloodsport show could see that his personality and behavior was erratic, displaced, and emotionally he was all over the place and it was obvious why: CTE

— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) January 4, 2023

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The case of Baroni not only illustrates the threat of domestic violence, but also the threat of CTE to fighters. As MMA is a relatively new sport, we are seeing a large number of fighters that suffer from what appears to be CTE. Not only does this affect fighters, but those around them as well.

That is not to say Baroni is not at fault because he had CTE- that is simply not how life works. Rather, that highlights the need for CTE prevention measures, or at least education for fighters, to hopefully prevent other CTE-fueled incidents.

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