Biaggio Ali Walsh may have a world-famous name but plans to make his own legacy in the world of combat sports.
The 24-year-old mixed martial arts prospect is the grandson of legendary boxer and activist Muhammad Ali, one of the most recognizable professional athletes in the history of sports. Ali Walsh is immensely proud of his grandfather’s legacy, never shying away from discussing what it was like to grow up with such an important figure of the 20th century, but building his own legacy is just as important as remembering the one left by his namesake.
“I embrace it,” Walsh said during an appearance on MMA Junkie Radio. “I love talking about my grandfather. I love my grandfather. We’ve had so many memories together, and talking about him just inspires me more, so I embrace it every time it comes up. But at the same time, I’m Biaggio Ali Walsh, and that’s why I’m here. I’m trying to make my own name, my own legacy. At the end of the day, that’s what every fighter is trying to do, so I’m not that different from any other fighter. I just have a famous grandfather.”
Ali Walsh recently signed with the Professional Fighters League. 1-1 in his MMA career, Ali Walsh will debut at the 2022 PFL Championship on November 25th when the promotion heads to New York for its first pay-per-view event. The card will be headlined by tw0-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison who meets Larissa Pacheco in the women’s featherweight finals.
“My short-term goal right now is just to win fights and get as much amateur experience as possible. My long-term goals is obviously I want to win the belt, I want to win $1 million and just know that I was able to do that myself. Long-term, I want to be a great mentor for martial arts.”
I had the sensational opportunity to chat with Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Biaggio Ali Walsh, ahead of his PFL debut next month🤯
We discussed:
♦️Reasons for signing with PFL
♦️What it’s like being the grandson of one of the greatest boxers of all time#PFL | @CombatSportsUK pic.twitter.com/0OPAMQKgTt
— Ben Thomas (@Benfthomas_10) October 28, 2022
Biaggio Ali Walsh More Inspired by His Grandfather’s Actions Outside of the Squared Circle
While Muhammad Ali is often considered ‘The Greatest’ to ever step foot inside the squared circle, his actions outside the boxing ring were just as notable, though not always supported by the masses. In 1967, Ali famously refused to be drafted into the military during the Vietnam war, a decision that garnered a significant amount of backlash. When public opinion began to change as the war claimed more and more lives, Muhammad Ali was revered as a well-respected civil rights activist for people of color across the country.
“I think the non-athlete is what stands out to me more,” Walsh said. “Obviously he was a terrific boxer, he had great trash talk, as well. He was the one who basically started that, but outside of the ring, he was the coolest, nicest person you ever meet. He never said no to an autograph, he never said no to a handshake. He would meet somebody and make their whole day. I think it was the non-athlete that stuck with me more.”
Needless to say, Biaggi Ali Walsh has some incredibly big shoes to fill, but he is more than ready for the opportunity to do so inside the PFL Smart Cage.
“I want to thank Professional Fighters League for their support and confidence in me,” Walsh said while speaking to ESPN, the broadcast home of PFL. “I have a legacy to live up to, a legacy that my grandfather began, that my brother and I continue. I chose to continue that legacy here in the Professional Fighters League. My one and only goal is to one day become a PFL World Champion.”
