"I Will Eat Ninja Sushi For Dinner"

by Ariel Helwani, MMARated.com

I was going to write some nice little intro on how Phil Baroni is gearing up for his fight against Murilo "Ninja" Rua on CBS but I think it would be wise to just get into our interview. Let me just quickly say that I have never conducted an interview quite like this one...and that's a good thing. And away we go:

Ariel Helwani: How did it feel to get back in the ring after a long layoff?
Phil Baroni: I felt like shit after about four minutes. I was out of shape (and) I didn't train for seven months. (It's) nobody's fault but my own.  Oh well, I made a mistake. Fuck it, I'll take it out on Ninja.  Poor Ninja.

Ariel Helwani: Were you happy with your performance against Hose?
Phil Baroni: What the fuck do you think? Was I happy with my performance against Hose? What are you retarded?

Ariel Helwani: There has been talk of a rematch in the works...does that interest you?
Phil Baroni: Fuck yeah it does. I'll fight anybody anytime, especially that guy. No hard feelings, Kala (Hose) is a nice kid. But I owe him an ass-kicking. And that Icon belt ain't too shabby. Fuck, I love Hawaii...sign me up.

Ariel Helwani: You're next fight is against Murilo Ninja Rua on CBS. Did you ever think, when you started out in this sport, that you would get a chance to fight on a network like CBS?
Phil Baroni: No, nobody did. Not the fighters anyway. Back then you weren't fighting to become rich or famous. You did it because you loved it. You wanted to compete (and) prove yourself.

Ariel Helwani: Who's the better fighter Hose or Rua?
Phil Baroni: Come on man, who do you think? Rua. Ask Rampage or Henderson who's better. Those guys won questionable split decisions against Rua.  Rua has fought the best in the biggest shows and held his own. Hose is a tough kid but he still has a lot to prove. He needs to rematch me and show his fans and the world he is for real. Its my job not to let that happen. There are too fucking many tough middleweights already (ha ha). We don't need anymore.

Ariel Helwani: Who would you like to fight after the Rua fight?
Phil Baroni: Man, I already told you, I'll fight anybody. Anderson Silva because he is considered the man and that's what I want to be.

Ariel Helwani: What did you think of Frank Shamrock's performance against Cung Le?
Phil Baroni: I think he won the first round. I think he hurt Cung in the third (round). Watching the fight I kept thinking to myself: "how the fuck did I lose to that guy." I'm so much better than him.

Ariel Helwani: Any interest in fighting Shamrock again?
Phil Baroni: Fuck yeah man. That fight is my dream rematch. That's the fight I want to get back more than any.

Ariel Helwani: Have you ever spoken to Frank Shamrock since your fight against him in June 2007?
Phil Baroni: Yeah, I talk to him all the time. It's a secret what we say to each other . None of your fucking business. Let's just say I want another shot at him and he is a business man.

Ariel Helwani: What is your contract situation like with Elite XC?
Phil Baroni: It's a pretty good one. I'm real happy with Elite XC, the staff and how I've been treated.

Ariel Helwani: Are you happy with the way they have treated you thus far?
Phil Baroni: What did I just say. They are treating me great. I'm real happy with the company. Everyone there has been fan-fucking-tastic.

Ariel Helwani: Any desire to fight again in the UFC?
Phil Baroni: Yes and no. Of course, I feel like I have something to prove in the UFC but fuck it I'll prove it on CBS.

Ariel Helwani: Are you willing to explain the entire steroid story from last year? Do you feel like you were mistreated by the California State Athletic Commission?
Phil Baroni: It was bullshit man. That was not my first rodeo. I'm not fucking stupid. Nobody's going to try and cheat and take steroids. If you take steroids you're going to get caught. I think the lab fucked up. When the sample they collected was retested it came back clean just like every other test I ever took. I got fucked...fucked hard. Its almost a year ago and your inquiring mind is still asking me about it. Fuck, steroids don't win fights anyway. All the guys who get caught are the losers anyway. They make your muscles big but big muscles are not what wins fights. Skill, heart, and conditioning are what make a champion not a shot or a pill.

Ariel Helwani: What happened between you and World Victory Road? Did you ever sign a contract with them?
Phil Baroni: I was hurt (and) I wouldn't be able to compete against such a high level grappler as (Sanae) Kikuta. I couldn't really punch. So, I pulled out. A few weeks later, I got the offer from Pro Elite (and) it was better money. I thought my opponent was a good match up for me (and) I needed the money so I took that fight instead. I love Japan, I'd still love to fight in World Victory Road or DREAM. I love fighting in Japan, I love the fans, I miss them. So if you talk to anyone over there let them know I'm still interested. My contract allows me to fight in Japan.

Ariel Helwani: How many more years/fights do you have left in you?
Phil Baroni: Fuck, I have a lot. Chuck Liddell didn't win his first world title until he was 36. Maybe too many for you motherfuckers. I ain't going anywhere for a long time.

Ariel Helwani: You've trained with Kimbo Slice before, what are your thoughts on him?
Phil Baroni: He is a big, black, tough motherfucker. Could it be anymore obvious?

Ariel Helwani: What's your favorite fight of your career?
Phil Baroni: Has to be my first PRIDE fight against Minowa. It meant so much to me an my career at the time. It was do or die. The fight was a fucking war, maybe the best fight knowbody saw. It was stand up, ground just a good fucking MMA fight. There was just so much story behind it. We can save that for another interview.

Ariel Helwani: Sheesh, you've certainly said a mouthful. Any final words?
Phil Baroni: Go fuck yourselves. No I'm just kidding. I just want to thank everyone for their support. I've grown a lot over the years as a fighter and a person (and) my best years are yet to come. I'm still in this to be a world champion. I have a lot of fight left in me. Check me out on CBS May 31st when I will eat Ninja sushi for dinner. And all you motherfuckers form the east coast, especially New York, I better hear your asses loud that night. I'm finally coming home to support your friendly neighborhood bad ass and send this Little Ninja's ass back to Brazil in a body bag. Let's welcome his ass New York style baby. I'd also like to thank my sponsors Affliction, Sprawl, Tap Out. My gumba's at Chrome Soda and Thermolife. Check out thermolife.com and hit me up on MySpace at myspace.com/nyba. Peace out and word to your motha.