This picture definitely says a thousand words, but the word that comes to my mind was respect. Baroni had no choice to but to respect the man who dominated him start to finish in a rematch to settle what he viewed as a controversial stoppage in their first bout.

Baroni was coming off a loss to Tanner’s Team Quest training partner Matt Lindland and Tanner was coming off a loss to Rich Franklin at 205lbs and Tanner was looking to make an impact at 185lbs.

The first Tanner vs. Baroni fight saw Baroni instantly rock Tanner with a right hook that opened a big cut above Tanner’s left eye within the first thirty seconds of the fight. As Tanner tried to tie Baroni up, he ate several right hooks that dropped him two to three times. The ref stopped the fight to look at and fix the cut above Tanner’s left eye which was a bloody mess. Despite all the punishment Tanner took he never gave up and came back and got his takedown, then mount, where he proceeded to rain down his patented elbows. Referee Larry Landless asked Baroni if he wanted out and Baroni thought he was asking if he was alright. Baroni said yes so the ref stopped it and Baroni instantly grabbed the ref in protest.

What was considered a controversial stoppage in its time lead to the most anticipated rematch in UFC history. Baroni wasn’t able to get going in the second fight and Tanner used his takedowns, ground and pound, superior cardio and trademark clinch game to dominate the "New York Badass" the first two rounds. Baroni launched one final desperate attempt at winning the fight in the third and even dropped Tanner. Tanner survived and went on to win the round and fight (30-27), (29-28), and (30-27).

Tanner then went on to defeat Robbie Lawler and then Dave Terrell to claim the vacant UFC 185lb middleweight belt. It was the most notable run in his career.

BELIEVE