Biaggio Ali Walsh comes from an incredible combat sports lineage as the grandson of Muhammad Ali, but unfortunately he was on the losing end of his MMA debut when he was submitted in the second round. He competed for the very first time at Fusion Fight League’s ‘Rumble Under the Rims’ show on June 3rd and he was taking on a fellow debutant in Devin Rothwell. Walsh is embarking on his professional MMA career at the age of 23 after spending a his time in school and college competing as a Football Player, although he has undoubtedly spent his life surrounded by the presence of combat sports in his family.
Biaggio Ali Walsh sat down with Fight Sports to discuss the transition he made from being a football player to becoming an MMA fighter:
“Once my college football life was over, I seemed like a lost guy. I didn’t know what to think and felt that my life was taking me nowhere. However, the decision to pursue MMA has made me feel mentally and emotionally positive about my situation.”
Another grandson of Muhammad Ali, and younger brother of Biaggio Ali Walsh, has also begun his combat sports career in recent years, although not under MMA rules. Nico Walsh is just 21 and has followed more directly in his grandfather’s footsteps as he already owns a perfect 4-0 professional boxing record. He is trained by Tyson Fury’s trainer, Sugarhill Steward, and is showing good promise already after winning all four of his fights by knockout.
Unfortunately for Biaggio Ali Walsh, his first adventure into the world of MMA has not gone as well as his younger brother’s boxing career. He started out strong but wasn’t actually able to keep the fight standing for long enough to win the fight on the merits of his striking ability. He was taken down in the second round and had his back taken, only for his opponent Rothwell to sink in the rear-naked choke and force him to tap. Of course, hundreds of fighters make their MMA debut every week and some do better than others so there’s plenty of time for Biaggio Ali Walsh to right the ship and succeed in the future.
