Phil Baroni Pioneering UFC fighter reportedly arrested for alleged murder of girlfriend in Mexico

Former UFC star and bareknuckle fighter Phil Baroni has reportedly been arrested in Mexico for allegedly murdering his girlfriend.

Baroni was reportedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time and got into an argument inside a hotel with his girlfriend in San Pancho when the incident occurred, according to Mexican news outlet Tribuna De La Bahia.

Baroni, who was reportedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time, engaged in an argument inside a hotel with his girlfriend in San Pancho when the incident occurred

The publication claimed police found a deceased woman inside the couple’s hotel room on Sunday after Baroni, 45, approached officers outside and told them that his girlfriend was unresponsive.

The report said Baroni allegedly ‘beat his girlfriend, a Mexico City native, to death in San Pancho, Nayarit, México. He alleges he threw her inside the shower with force after she told him she had cheated where she hit her head and passed away minutes later’.

Officers claim they found a naked woman on a bed covered by a bedsheet and her body showed ‘multiple marks of beatings’ and no vital signs. 

The report noted: ‘Baroni beat his girlfriend, a Mexico City native, to death in San Pancho, Nayarit, México. He alleges he threw her inside the shower with force after she told him she had cheated where she hit her head and passed away minutes later’ (Baroni is pictured in a recent social media pic he shared)

Baroni has been arrested for homicide and a full investigation into the incident is being undertaken.

Photos have also appeared on social media of what appears to be Baroni speaking with police after the incident.

Baroni, known as ‘The New York Badass’, fought in the UFC between 2001 and 2005 before signing with Japan’s PRIDE Fighting Championship.

Baroni, known as ‘The New York Badass’, fought in the UFC between 2001 and 2005 before signing with Japan’s PRIDE Fighting Championship

He then jumped around between several more MMA organisations before a second stint in the UFC, during which he had two fights.

Baroni’s final MMA bout was in September 2019 and saw him lose to Chinese fighter  Sai Wang via a first-round submission.

Baroni’s recent social media posts indicated that he had moved to Mexico.