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Reduced Suspension Speeds Baroni's Return To Octagon By Loretta Hunt UFC middleweight brawler Phil Baroni has gotten a reprieve of sorts, following the yearlong administrative suspension that was imposed on him after his performance at November 21st's UFC 45. In a tense bout with Team Quest's Evan Tanner, an enraged Baroni grabbed and swung two times at referee Larry Landless following a questionable stoppage late in round one after Tanner had fully mounted his opponent on the ground.
Mohegan Tribe representatives, who had been ringside to observe the infraction, conferred backstage in the moments following the attack of the official and handed down the penalty shortly after without a formal hearing. As is often standard with rulings of this kind, the Mohegan Tribe's decision to suspend Baroni was reciprocated by various sports athletic commissions and regulatory bodies, including the influential Nevada State Athletic Commission, which oversees at least three UFC events a year. From the start, some questioned the severity of the ruling in light of Baroni's inability to make a living as a fighter. Baroni supporters asked, "Did the punishment fit the crime?" Yesterday, they got their answer. In a letter received from the Department of Athletic Regulation for the Mohegan Tribe, Baroni's legal counsel Tony Sgro read the following passage: "After careful review of your petition and the supporting documentation, the Department had decided to reduce your administrative suspension from unarmed combat issued on December 3, 2003 from one year to three months. Therefore, your administrative suspension from unarmed combat shall expire March 3, 2004." The reduced sentence will allow Baroni to resume his professional career as a mixed martial artist in the United States and beyond in no less than ten days, giving "the New York Bad Ass" the opportunity to return to the Octagon as early as UFC 48. Although a seemingly speedy turnaround for Baroni, the Mohegan's Tribe reconsideration has been almost three months in the making, according to lawyer Sgro. "From the conclusion of the fight," he says, "where everyone had a different perspective of what had occurred, there's always a question of what exactly prompted Phil to do what he did and what should be the appropriate penalty. Basically, what we've been trying to do in conjunction with the Mohegan Tribe is to determine that from way back in November when it first occurred." Mr. Sgro cited what he labeled as a "series of unique circumstances," in the case that enabled Baroni and his representation to begin both a verbal and written dialogue with the Department of Athletic Regulation. High on that list was referee Larry Landless's public admission that he had erred in his decision to stop the fight following a verbal miscommunication with Baroni. Baroni's extended absence from competition prior to UFC 45 due to a training injury was also recognized with regards to the financial severity of the ruling. Says Sgro, "What's been going on for the last several months between the Mohegan Tribe and Mr. Baroni is the exchange of information and the effort to compromise to try and dissuade future athletes from engaging in the same pattern of activity, but at the same time, recognizing that this is the marketable skill that Phil Baroni possesses in that he's a professional athlete." There had also been discussion of setting a date for a formal hearing in which Baroni could produce witnesses on his behalf. Mr. Sgro says that Landless, as well as representatives from the UFC, including president Dana White and counsel Kirk Kendrick, had agreed to appear at the proposed hearing. But, upon presentation of the written testimony that was to be heard, Sgro says that the regulatory department decided that the hearing would not be necessary. Although Baroni was in transit late last night, he called in briefly to FCF to express his gratitude towards the Mohegan Sun reps and to especially thank Larry Landless for his support throughout the entire process. Baroni also confirmed that a rematch with Evan Tanner has already been broached by the UFC for his tentative return at the yet-to-be announced UFC 48 event slated in June or July. |
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