Phil Baroni’s collection pairs bold lettering with a detailed dragon, a cross and smaller symbols. A September 2008 Fighters Only feature documented eight designs, with photographs credited to Hywel Teague. Its reported meanings are historical accounts from that feature, not a current inventory or an update on Baroni’s life.
Born soldier kanji tattoo on his left bicep
Two dark kanji characters sit on the inside of Baroni’s left bicep, with space between them. Fighters Only gave their intended meaning as “born soldier.” That’s the magazine’s reported translation; the photo alone can’t verify it.
The close view shows solid black strokes with tapered ends. Baroni bends his arm to turn the inner bicep toward the camera.
NYBA tattoo on his right arm
“NYBA” runs down Baroni’s right upper arm in a narrow column of angular letters. The initials stand for his nickname, New York Bad Ass. Long pointed strokes give the abbreviation a sharper look than ordinary block lettering.
The photo shows the gaps and separate letter shapes more clearly than a distant fight image would.
Bushido lettering on his left forearm
“Bushido” stretches along Baroni’s left forearm, with bold, pointed strokes. Fighters Only identified the word and gave its meaning as “the way of the warrior.” It’s lettering rather than a separate picture of a warrior.
His forearm is angled toward the lens, which makes the near end look larger. A watch sits close to the tattoo at the wrist in this photo.
Change symbol tattoo on his upper back
A small character sits just below the base of Baroni’s neck, between his shoulders. Fighters Only described its meaning as “change” and reported that Baroni linked it to a reminder not to repeat an earlier period in his life. That explanation belongs to the 2008 feature; it doesn’t describe his later life.
The upper mark is much smaller than the broad “Gamebred” lettering lower on his back, and the two designs remain separate.
Cross and Philippians tattoo on his left calf
On Baroni’s left calf, “PHIL 4:13” sits above a large cross with flared ends and shaded sections. Fighters Only connected the cross and Philippians reference with Baroni’s Christian beliefs. The photo shows the reference, not the full verse written around the cross.
The design runs down much of the lower leg. Its dark outline and lighter central strip give the cross more depth than a solid black shape.
Dragon tattoo on his right calf
A dragon curves down Baroni’s right calf. Its head sits high on the leg, with an open mouth and long whisker-like lines; the body loops below in shaded sections. Fighters Only reported that a female tattooist in Japan made it but didn’t name her.
The head and coiling body follow the calf’s long, rounded surface, so the full outline isn’t visible from one flat angle.
New York and Bad Ass rib tattoo
Baroni raises his left arm to show the rib piece: a large interlocking New York-style letter form at the center, with “Bad” to the left and “Ass” to the right. Long pointed strokes extend above and below the central design. Fighters Only credited the work to Eric Pele.
The central letters are thick and angular; the surrounding script is finer. Raising the arm exposes the side of the torso, where the tattoo would be harder to see in an arms-down pose.
Gamebred lettering across his lower back
“Gamebred” spans Baroni’s lower back just above the jeans. The large outlined letters have shaded interiors and extended corners. The 2008 feature presented the word as Baroni’s description of his fighting spirit.
The interview below covers Baroni’s UFC return, not a tour or update on the tattoos. For another fighter’s collection, see Alessio Sakara’s tattoos.