Muhammad Ali’s Grandson Baggio Ali Walsh Confesses About His ‘Drug Abuse’ and Depression Before Joining MMA

Biaggio Ali Walsh is a PFL fighter with ties to none other than the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali. That’s right, Ali’s grandson is now an MMA fighter but it wasn’t always so. Before becoming a warrior in the cage, he was a footballer of great fortune. But with great fortune, comes the possibility of an equally great fall from grace.

This is exactly what happened with Ali Walsh as he struck out and spiraled into a battle with drug abuse and depression. But one decision would change things for him forever. A 180-degree turnaround away from all the abuse and straight into the cage. Here’s what he had to say about it all.

Biaggio Ali Walsh overcame it all

The MMA fighter sat down for an interview with Mirror Fighting. Here he detailed his battle with abuse and depression and how turning to MMA saved his life. If it wasn’t for the sport, he wouldn’t be who he is today. Perhaps it was the most impactful decision of his lifetime.

“I think it saved me because I didn’t like the lifestyle that I was going down when I was done playing football. Being in Las Vegas there’s a lot of drinking and partying and a lot of stupid stuff. I just did not like the lifestyle I was heading towards, I became depressed, and I’d cry myself to sleep some nights,” he said.

“. . . “I just told myself, ‘You know what? I’m only 22-years-old, I’m just going to go for it and see how far I can go into the sport of MMA.’” Perhaps turning his life around was difficult to begin with but now, he has only good things to look forward to. Would you agree that the fighter took his chance and fought out like a deserving champion?

Well, he has proven his mettle only recently. Walsh fought Joel Lopez at the 2023 PFL World Championship and came out victorious. This makes him stand at a record 6 wins and one loss in his amateur career. The fighter has been a dominating force and his battle with all things terrible might just be why he’s bouncing back so hard.

It could have been a flourishing football career

Perhaps life just had other plans in store for Ali Walsh. He recalled how his career in football could have led him to great places. But his downfall into drug abuse just led him to be severely depressed instead. Was it something that pushed him into MMA instead?

Also Read: “I’m Ali No Matter What”: Muhammad Ali’s Grandson Makes Jaw-Dropping Statement on Legacy of His Name

“I felt like I had no purpose, I became this potential big football star and now I’m in a room full of losers… I became severely depressed.” A long battle and four straight wins in his MMA career later, perhaps Ali Walsh isn’t feeling as low. A new sense of purpose seems to drive the young fighter and perhaps there’s another legend in the making with the name Ali.

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