The Ultimate Fighting Championship has added another bout to it’s upcoming UFC 125 New Year’s Day event. Verbal agreements have been made between veteran Phil Baroni (13-12) and TUF 11 alumni Brad Tavares (5-0).
MMAjunkie.com was the first to report the bout, noting that no written agreement is in place but both fighters have verbally agreed to meet. The bout is expected to take place at 185 pounds.
Baroni returned to the UFC after a four-and-a-half year absence from the promotion. He lost a unanimous decision to Amir Sadollah at UFC 106 last November in his return. That put “The New York Bad Ass” on a two fight losing skid having been defeated by Joe Riggs at a Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields event in June 2009. A loss for Baroni would surely spell the end of his tenure with the UFC, a hole he may not be able to climb back out of going 3-5 in his last eight bouts.
Meanwhile, “The Ultimate FIghter” season 11 semi-finalist Tavares, is undefeated in his professional career having earned a unanimous decision over Seth Baczynski at the TUF 11 Finale last June. The fighter was stopped by teammate Court McGee in the semi-finals, having been submitted late in the third round.
UFC 125 is set for Jan. 1st at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The headliner for the event is expected to feature a lightweight title bout between champion Frankie Edgar and top challenger Gray Maynard.