Baroni not surprised by UFC return

MMA veteran Phil Baroni insists he is not surprised to have signed a new deal with the UFC.

Baroni made his debut for the UFC at UFC 30 in February 2001, but later moved to a rival MMA promoted.

He told MMA FanHouse: “Strikeforce cut me to re-sign me for less money after my [Joe] Riggs fight — they offered Erik Apple. I got an offer from the UFC that was much better and I took it.

“I’m Phil Baroni, and I’m a real fighter. Dana [White] wants real fighters in the UFC.

“I agreed to the terms and money without hesitation. [Baroni's agent] Ken Pavia e-mailed me the deal; I signed it, and had my wife fax it while I went for a quick six-mile run.”

He added: “My first MMA fight was in the UFC. I knew I’d be fighting there again someday. All the roads to my goals I set for myself lead to the UFC.”

Tags: Strikeforce, UFC