Biaggio Ali Walsh, grandson of the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, known as “The Greatest of All Time”, is carving his own path in a different combat sport: mixed martial arts. He is set to compete in PFL again this Friday. Unlike his grandfather`s famous, outspoken style, Ali Walsh is approaching his MMA career with a measured, step-by-step approach.
He shared that his motivation for entering the sport was simply to see his potential. He appreciated the diverse disciplines involved in MMA, embracing the concept that in a fight, you utilize whatever martial art is most effective for you.
His initial foray into fighting was challenging, starting with a tough loss. Recounting his first fight in Montana for Fusion Fight League, he described facing a large opponent. Despite knocking the man down twice, his opponent kept getting up – an experience Ali Walsh likened to the Terminator. He admitted to exhausting himself, which led to his opponent taking him down and securing a chokehold victory.
This difficult debut taught him a crucial lesson about managing his breathing during a fight. However, the defeat didn`t deter him; rather, it intensified his desire to compete, viewing it as a valuable learning experience.
Muhammad Ali passed away in 2016, before Biaggio began his own fighting career. Ali Walsh expressed regret that he can`t ask his grandfather more questions now, remembering him as both a great man and grandfather.
He shared advice Muhammad Ali gave his brother: eat healthily and do roadwork. When asked what makes a fighter, the legend replied, “Moving and dancing.” Despite this legacy, Biaggio isn`t aiming to imitate his grandfather`s style or achievements in MMA.
Ali Walsh highlighted the significant stylistic difference between himself and his grandfather. While Muhammad Ali was known for his graceful movement and “poetry in motion” boxing style, Biaggio describes his own approach as coming forward and looking “to just bang”. He sees his power, especially with four-ounce MMA gloves, as a key asset, stating it doesn`t take much to potentially knock someone out if he connects cleanly.
Ultimately, he is focused on showcasing his own fighting style and hoping everything works out.
A video accompanying the original article showed Ali Walsh securing his fifth consecutive stoppage win, defeating Ed Davis by second-round TKO.
Another video featured Jake Paul`s reaction to Ali Walsh`s knockout win over Isaiah Figueroa, which marked his second PFL victory.
