Former UFC fighter Phil Baroni allegedly beat his girlfriend to death in Mexico on Sunday after she admitted to sleeping with another man, according to reports.
The pair were engaged in an argument inside a hotel in San Pancho when the alleged incident occurred, Tribuna De La Bahia reports.
Baroni was arrested after he reportedly threw the woman into a shower in a fit of rage, causing her to suffer a fatal head injury.
Officers later found her naked on a bed inside the hotel room, according to Mexican news outlet Tribuna De La Bahia.
The pro fighter reportedly told cops that the couple had gotten into a heated dispute inside a hotel room in San Pancho after his girlfriend, identified only as Poala, admitted she cheated on him, the reports said.
The 46-year-old New York native, who cops believe was under the influence of marijuana and alcohol, told authorities that he then ordered Poala to go bathe, and when she refused to do so he threw her into the shower, the report said.
She hit her head and slipped, then hit her head again when she fell down, he claimed, according to the report.
The former fighter said he then helped her up and into the bed, where he took off her clothes and covered her with a sheet after she told him she was cold.
Baroni claims Poala then asked him to get her cigars and beer, and when he returned she wouldn’t wake up.
He then ran to grab police who were outside the hotel and told them his girlfriend was unresponsive.
Police then found Baroni’s girlfriend, a Mexico City native, naked on the bed and showing “multiple signs of beatings” as well as “no vital signs.”
A full investigation into the incident began following Baroni’s arrest for homicide. He is being held in custody in Valle de Banderas.
Requests for comment to the US State Department were not immediately returned Wednesday.
UFC legend Michael Bisping was left in disbelief after hearing of the news.
“I’m really hoping this is a sick joke. Phil Baroni arrested for murdering his girlfriend???” Bisping tweeted.
Baroni competed in the UFC from 2001 to 2005 and made returns to the Octagon at UFC 106 and UFC 125. He ended his career inside the Octagon with a 3-5 record.
His final professional fight came in 2019 and saw him suffer a submission loss to Sai Wang and drop his career record to 16-19.
He competed for Pride, Strikeforce, Bellator and One Championship.
— with the New York Post