SAN JOSE, Calif. (Aug. 13, 2009) – Phil "The New York Badass" Baroni has been released by world championship mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion STRIKEFORCE.

The 33-year-old Baroni, a native of Long Island, N.Y, has lost four of his last seven bouts. In his last appearance, a welterweight (170 pounds) matchup with Joe "Diesel’’ Riggs at St. Louis, Missouri’s Scottrade Center, Baroni sustained a one-sided defeat by way of unanimous judges’ decision.

"We wish Phil the best of luck and hope he can revive his career,’’ STRIKEFORCE Founder and CEO Scott Coker said Thursday. "If he can, maybe one day, he can return and fight for us."

Baroni’s most noteworthy fight in STRIKEFORCE was also the first STRIKEFORCE middleweight (185 pounds) MMA championship bout in history on June 22, 2007. Refusing to tap out, Baroni was choked unconscious by four-time world champion Frank Shamrock in the second round (4:00) of action.