Phil Baroni Fights for Icon World Middleweight Belt

"The New York Badass" Phil Baroni is the favorite to win the Icon belt.

On Saturday, March 15, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Phil Baroni (10-8-0) will fight for the Icon world middleweight belt.

According to mixed martial arts odds in the Bodog Sportsbook, Baroni is the -325 favorite to win.

The title fight will mark the first match for Baroni since his TKO submission loss to Frank Shamrock (23-8-1) in June 2007. In that fight, Baroni was badly beaten in the opening round, then choked into unconsciousness in the second. "The New York Badass" also tore a muscle in his inner thigh.

Afterwards, the California Athletic Commission announced that Baroni had tested positive for steroids and suspended him for one year, although they later reduced that suspension to six months.

Baroni's opponent in Icon, Hawaiian fighter Kala Hose (5-1-0) was scheduled to face "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (15-4-0), but Baroni stepped in after Lawler was stripped of the title for failing to defend his belt.

Hose is currently the +250 underdog.

Make your Icon bet in the Bodog Sportsbook.

All lines subject to change.