Strikeforce Fight Week Preview: Phil Baroni Vs. Joe Riggs

Let's keep the good vibes going and keep running through Saturday's Strikeforce: Shields vs. Lawler event. We've talked Arlovski/Rogers and Randleman/Whitehead, so let's look at what can be best described as a special attraction fight between two veterans.

It's time to talk Phil Baroni vs. Joe Riggs.

About Baroni (13-10)

It's interesting that the 33-year-old is one of the more well-known fighters in the game, despite barely having a .500 record. Note to young fighters: Be exciting, cut a great promo, and sell some damn tickets for your fights. It will do wonders for your career!

After just one fight on the indies, the 5'9" Baroni (seen above) got his crack at the UFC, decisioning Curtis Stout at UFC 30 in February 2001. He would fight seven more times in the Octagon, compiling a 3-5 record with losses to Evan Tanner (twice), Matt Lindland (twice), and Pete Sell.

He would later move to Japan's PRIDE where he went 4-2 before coming back stateside to compete for Strikeforce, debuting with a second round submission loss to Frank Shamrock in June 2007, the first of three straight losses.

Things have turned around lately for Baroni, who brings a three fight win streak into Saturday, two of which have been won by KO/TKO. This will be his first Strikeforce fight since the Shamrock loss.

About Riggs (29-10-0-1)

The 26-year-old Diesel may be young in age but is well-experienced in fight years as Saturday will mark his 41st professional fight. Riggs has fought all over the country and for a variety of promotions including UFC, WEC and Strikeforce.

After racking up a 21-5 record that included a long run in Arizona's Rage In The Cage, Riggs got his first taste of the UFC canvas with a submission loss to Ivan Salaverry at UFC 52.

The 5'11" Riggs would fight six more times in the UFC, defeating Chris Lytle, Nick Diaz and Jason Von Flue. But his losses to Matt Hughes (a Welterweight title shot that evaporated because Riggs didn't make weight), Mike Swick and Diego Sanchez were too much and he left the Zuffa family.

He soon found a home with Strikeforce where he has competed in four of his last six bouts. Riggs last fought in November 2008 with a second round TKO win over Luke Stewart at Strikeforce: Destruction.

Breakdown

With 67 career fights between them, the word 'veteran' seems a bit weak here. Baroni is a notable hard hitter as eight of his 13 wins have come via KO, but he hasn't fought since last September, a long layoff for a guy entering his mid-30s.

That hasn't stopped him from talking a big game if you've been paying attention to any of the media surrounding him this week.

Riggs should have a bit of a chip on his shoulder as he was originally slated to fight Jake Shields, but Shields wanted a bigger fight and well, he got it. There are some concerns with Riggs' consistency as recent years have taken on a win one, lose one trend.

Baroni will have to be wary of Riggs' fists (15 KOs) and his submission skills (13 tapouts), both of which he is susceptible to. A title run seems highly improbable, but if a guy on the main card decided to skip past me, I'd be a bit pissed too.

RRC Prediction

Riggs via third round TKO

Josh Nason - josh [at] ropesringandcage [dot com] - has published MMA, wrestling and boxing blog Ropes, Ring and Cage.com since 2007. He has been a contributor to Fight Magazine since January 2009 and Bleacher Report since 2008.