While Baroni is one of the most charismatic fighters in the game, he is coming off a loss to Joe Riggs in Strikeforce, whom the UFC cut in 2007. Baroni was released from his Strikeforce contract prior to the signing. Baroni has struggled with tough competition in recent years, dropping fights to Frank Shamrock, Kazuo Misaki, Joey Villasenor and Kala Hose. He had a memorable run in the Octagon from 2001 to 2005, but lost five of his seven fights during the middleweight campaign.
The UFC also picked up Strikeforce fighter Dennis Hallman and Affliction free agent Vladimir Matyushenko. Hallman, who’s had three stints under UFC employ, had recently tried out as a contestant for season 10 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” wearing, for a reason that is unclear, a wrestling mask during the audition, according to The Wrestling Observer. Hallman told MMA Weekly his contract is for four fights. He last fought in the UFC in 2005. Matyushenko returns to the UFC for the first time since 2003, and will face Igor Pokrajac at UFC 103 in September.
Strikeforce appears to be in acquisition mode as well. Matt Lindland announced this week that he has signed a three-fight deal with the promotion. He told Sherdog.com that he plans to make his debut in October against either Robbie Lawler or Jake Shields in middleweight competition.