Las Vegas: Biaggio Ali Walsh, grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, is forging a unique path in combat sports through mixed martial arts. While competing under the Professional Fighters League (PFL), Ali Walsh is not trying to mimic his grandfather’s iconic boxing legacy but is embracing his gritty style.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the young fighter shared that his love for the sport comes from the dynamic nature of MMA. “I got into this sport just wanting to see how far I could go with it,” he said. “So many martial arts play a part in a fight, and I loved the idea that a fight’s a fight — you use whatever works best for you.”
Ali Walsh’s journey hasn’t been easy. His first amateur bout in Montana with Fusion Fight League ended in defeat. “I dropped the guy twice, but he kept getting up,” he recalled. “I heard the Terminator theme in my head. He took me down and choked me out. I learned a big lesson — maybe you should breathe when you fight.”
Despite the loss, the experience motivated him more. He’s since bounced back with five straight stoppage wins, including a second-round TKO against Ed Davis.
Although Muhammad Ali passed away in 2016, before Biaggio considered fighting, the influence remains. “I wish I could go back and ask him more,” he said. “But he once told my brother: eat healthy, do your roadwork, and remember — ‘moving and dancing makes a fighter.’”
However, Biaggio isn’t trying to copy his grandfather’s style. “He moved like poetry in motion. I fight completely different — I come forward and bang,” he said. “It doesn’t take much with four-ounce gloves. I think that’s one of my superpowers — if I touch the right spot, you might go to sleep.”
As he continues to climb the MMA ranks, Biaggio Ali Walsh is focused on proving himself on his terms, building a fighting legacy that is inspired by, but not tied to, his iconic bloodline.
