Issue 041

September 2008

When Phil Baroni enters the cage, it’s difficult not to take notice.

With his trademark silk robe and cocky swagger, Baroni is as much about image as he is his fighting. The ‘New York Bad Ass’ has a collection of tattoos that distil his ethos in a visual form – basically, if you’re wondering what Phil Baroni is all about, check out his ink.

1  Left bicep

The kanji on Phil’s left arm translates as ‘born solider’, something he considers to be himself. As he famously once said, he fights because “I can’t sing and I can’t dance, and it sure beats working for a living”.  

2  Right arm

‘NYBA’, says it all really.   

3  Left forearm

Across Phil’s left forearm is the word Bushido in a graffiti-style script. Bushido is the Japanese term for ‘way of the warrior’.  

4  Back

On Phil’s upper back is the kanji symbol for ‘change’. “I got it done in jail,” he explained. He considers it a reminder never to go back.

5  Left calf

The cross and bible chapter are nods to Phil’s Christian beliefs. Philippians 4:13 reads, “I can do all things in him that strengthen me”.  

6 Right calf

This dragon was done in Japan by a female tattooist who has also worked on fighters such as Ryo Chonan, (who Phil knocked out in Pride Bushido).  

7 Ribs

The intricate design on his ribs was tattooed by ‘Big’ Eric Pele, a pro fighter and close friend of Phil who lives in Las Vegas.   

8  Lower back

‘Gamebred’ is a term often applied to animals bred specifically for the purpose of fighting and, while Baroni is by no means an advocate of dog fighting, he wears the word in reference to his own fighting spirit.