Biaggio Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, recently opened up about how mixed martial arts (MMA) has brought him closer to God. In an interview with Al Jazeera, the up-and-coming PFL fighter discussed his journey in MMA, the power of the sport, and the unique experience of being Ali’s grandson.
Growing up as the grandson of the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was both a blessing and a challenge for Biaggio Ali Walsh. Despite Ali’s battle with Parkinson’s disease during Walsh’s childhood, he has many cherished memories of his grandfather. From watching western movies together to Ali performing magic tricks, their bond was strong. However, Walsh never felt pressured by Ali to pursue combat sports, unlike his brother Nico, who became a professional boxer.
Although Walsh played American Football instead of boxing, his connection to Ali often led to street brawls where he had to defend his family’s name. One memorable incident occurred when he was just 14 years old and was forced to box a high-school senior at a friend’s house party. Walsh humorously shared that he ended up beating the senior in the fight.
It wasn’t until Walsh was 22 years old and struggling with anger and depression that he found solace in MMA. He quickly excelled in the sport and signed with the Professional Fighters League in September 2022. Walsh’s record currently stands at 5-1-0, and he is preparing for a lightweight fight against Joel Lopez on the undercard of the 2023 PFL World Championship.
For Walsh, MMA has been a life-changing experience. He believes that the sport has transformed him mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In his own words, he said, “I’ve gotten closer to God because of the sport.” MMA provided Walsh with a sense of purpose and helped him overcome his depression and substance abuse.
Walsh’s journey in MMA hasn’t been without challenges. In his amateur debut, he struggled with nerves and lost the fight. However, he learned from the experience and continued to improve. His PFL debut took place at Madison Square Garden, where his grandfather had fought numerous times. Despite feeling scared, Walsh emerged victorious and went on to win his next three fights by first-round knockouts.
To fully dedicate himself to MMA, Walsh had to quit his job as a nightclub security guard. He now relies on sponsorships and revenue from Only Fans, clarifying that he does not post explicit content on the platform. Walsh acknowledges that his upcoming fight against Joel Lopez will be his toughest yet, but he is excited for the challenge.
In addition to his MMA career, Walsh’s faith has played a significant role in his life. He grew up Muslim but didn’t fully understand his religion until he started fighting. Reading the Quran taught him that material success is not the most important thing in life. Instead, he focuses on building a strong relationship with God and doing good deeds.
Walsh also remembers the advice his grandfather gave him: to stay humble. Inspired by Ali’s activism and humanitarian work, Walsh wants to use his success in MMA to help others. He has a particular interest in assisting homeless people and using martial arts to support children from underprivileged and abusive backgrounds.
In conclusion, Biaggio Ali Walsh’s journey in MMA has not only brought him closer to God but has also given him a sense of purpose and the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others. With his determination and humility, Walsh aims to be an exciting fighter and use his success to help those in need.