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On the 10th anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s death, one of his grandsons is preparing to carry the family name into a very different arena. Biaggio Ali Walsh, a rising fighter in the Professional Fighters League, says his approach to competition and public life is shaped as much by faith and humility as it is by the weight of a global legacy.
Biaggio, who fights under the name Ali Walsh, has moved from college football to mixed martial arts in recent years. He enters PFL competition with a record that has drawn attention not because of celebrity alone but because of finishing power and an aggressive, forward-pressing striking style he says he developed by studying fighters who troubled his grandfather in the ring.
A personal link to a public legend
To Biaggio, Muhammad Ali was not only the historic boxer and civil rights figure known worldwide — he was “Poppy,” a grandfather whose presence was felt most in private moments. Watching classic bouts on the couch, performing simple magic tricks to make him laugh, and sharing family holidays are the memories he returns to most.
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Those memories deepened as the elder Ali’s health declined. Biaggio and his brother used small stunts and shared films to prompt a reaction during Parkinson’s, and those quiet interactions shaped how he thinks about influence and legacy.
“He inspired people with his words and actions,” Biaggio said in a recent interview. He added that, for him, the lessons most worth carrying forward are humility and a life grounded in belief — not fame for its own sake.
From setbacks to a new fighting career
Contrary to assumptions about easy privilege, Biaggio describes a family that rebuilt itself after financial hardship. The move to Las Vegas and his parents’ sacrifices made his education and opportunities possible, he says, and those struggles left a lasting impression.
After playing college football — first as a running back and later sidelined by injuries and disillusionment with the sport’s politics — Biaggio drifted into depression. A job at Adidas and some coaching work led him to train at Xtreme Couture, and a late switch to MMA followed. He asked himself aloud if 22 was too old to start training seriously, then decided to commit.
- Age: Born 1998
- Pro record: 4-1 (as a PFL competitor)
- Promotion: Professional Fighters League
- Next fight: Scheduled for July 18 in Austin, Texas — opponent Gamid Khizriev
- Style: Aggressive pressure striking; aims to keep fights standing
Style, influences and symbolism
Biaggio’s approach in the cage differs from his grandfather’s famed footwork and counter-punching. He purposely studied the boxers who caused Muhammad Ali difficulty — fighters known for grit and pressure — then adapted elements to MMA. He also points to modern boxers such as Canelo and Julio César Chávez as stylistic influences.
He wears tattoos of a butterfly and a bee as an homage to the old catchphrase that summed his grandfather’s approach. But he is insistent that his career should be judged on its own merits: “I want to see how far I can take myself in this sport,” he said, emphasizing entertainment value as well as results.
Faith, humility and the “wealth test”
Faith is a constant theme in Biaggio’s public remarks. He describes prayer and acceptance as tools for managing expectations tied to the Ali name. Rather than promising flashy celebrations, he says his family taught him to remain grounded — handing touchdown balls to officials in high school and avoiding ostentation.
He frames public success as a moral test: wealth and fame reveal character, he argues, and the standard set by his grandfather was simple — be generous, be accessible, and be kind to fans.
Looking ahead to PFL Austin
Biaggio is scheduled to face Gamid Khizriev in Austin, a matchup he calls a stylistic challenge because of Khizriev’s wrestling base. His plan is to keep the fight upright and showcase the striking that has earned him several finishes in the PFL.
He acknowledges the crowd’s role: after doing heavy grappling in an early professional fight and receiving boos despite a win, he resolved to be more of an entertainer in the cage — a trait he links to his grandfather’s persona.
“I want to show what it looks like when a fighter trusts God and their abilities,” he said, describing the calm confidence he hopes will register in the ring. Victory matters, he added, but setting an example of composure and faith matters more.
Muhammad Ali’s global impact is well documented. For Biaggio, that influence is now personal, practical and public: a legacy to respect, a faith to live by, and a sport in which he hopes to write his own chapter.
