Former Bellator fighter Phil “The New York Bad Ass” Baroni has been arrested by Mexican authorities for allegedly murdering his girlfriend on Sunday.
Phil Baroni via MiddleEasy YouTube
The crime, which occurred in Nayarit, Mexico, over the weekend was reported by local news outlet Tribune de la Bahia, who received confirmation from the prosecutors’ office that Baroni was in fact arrested by police after a woman linked to the former fighter was found dead in San Fernando.
The report states that on January 1, 2023, Baroni notified authorities that his girlfriend was found unconscious in a hotel room they had been staying at that weekend while visiting the Jardin San Pancho Hotel. The victim was seen to have bruises throughout her body, and Baroni told the officers present that she hit her head after being physically “thrown” into the shower as the result of an argument that the two had.
Phil Baroni via Fight Hub TV YouTube
Baroni also admitted to authorities that he assisted her to their bed to lay down after the altercation, after which he left for an undisclosed amount of time and upon returning, found her to be unresponsive and in the same position she had been in when he left.
As of today, an initial hearing regarding the case is expected to be this upcoming Monday.
Phil Baroni via Anatomy of a Fighter YouTube
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46-year-old Baroni is best known for his nearly two decade long career as an MMA fighter, which ended in 2019. His record boasts of having fought for the biggest MMA promoters which include UFC, Pride FC, Strikeforce, ONE Championship, and Bellator.
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