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The Sun
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm Muhammad Ali's grandson but kept it a secret when I walked into the gym… I took beatings like everyone else
BIAGGIO ALI WALSH is related to the most famous fighter of all time but he hid it - because he wanted to take beatings just like everyone else. The 26-year-old is the grandson to boxing icon Muhammad Ali and now finds himself making his own way in MMA. 4 4 Biaggio once had aspirations of going to the NFL but swapped American football for MMA - where he is now 2-0. The lightweight trains at Extreme Couture - the Las Vegas gym headed up by Eric Nicksick - trainer to Francis Ngannou. When Biaggio first walked into the gym he kept his identity a secret - and it took ex-UFC champion Sean Strickland FOUR YEARS to catch on. Biaggio told SunSport: "I never walked into Extreme Couture and I would tell people, 'Oh, I'm Muhammad Ali's grandson.' "That's actually the last thing I want is for people to know as soon as they get to a gym. "So yeah, I think just word of mouth, people started to find out who I was. Apparently Sean Strickland didn't know till like a couple of weeks ago. "He came up to me and he's like, 'Bro, you're Muhammad Ali's grandson?' I was like, 'Yes Sean, you didn't know this? I thought like Eric or someone would have told you or something. "He's like, 'No. I didn't know, that's so cool. Like, how was he? Was he cool?' I was like, 'Yeah, he was cool, he was funny. Does the boxing make sense now?'" Biaggio - who shares his Islamic faith with his grandad - had seven amateur fights - winning six - before turning professional in 2024. But that came after years of learning the ropes in the gym and taking his licks in the gym - just like everyone else. EXCL Muhammad Ali would still tease George Foreman about Rumble in Jungle win 40 years on as legends became best friends Biaggio said: "In a combat sport, who you're related to means nothing, Where you come from means nothing. "You could come from a silver spoon in your mouth, your dad could be a billionaire, but when you get in that cage and it's locked, even for sparring, that's not gonna help you. "It's you that's gonna be fighting for you. When I first got to Extreme, you know, a lot of ass whoopings, a lot of ass whoopings. You pay your dues, dude. That's how it is in the sport." Biaggio - signed to the Professional Fighters League - returns to the cage on June 27 in Chicago against 2-0 Ronnie Gibbs after nearly one year out. And he said: "I think in this sport, a break like that is good because you can sharpen so many tools and get your mind right and it gives you plenty of time to just get better in everything, physically and mentally. "And that's where I feel like I am. I feel like I've gotten so much better as a fighter and I've gotten so much better in my mental too, so super excited for this fight. I'd like to get a couple more fights at the end of this year." 4 4
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Francis Ngannou's Trainer Sends a Clear Message to Dana White About a Return to the UFC
Francis Ngannou's Trainer Sends a Clear Message to Dana White About a Return to the UFC originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Francis Ngannou has faced a difficult stretch in recent months—both professionally and personally. From grieving the loss of his son to navigating uncertainty in his combat sports career, the former UFC heavyweight champion has been forced to reevaluate his path. Yet, in the midst of these hardships, there are growing signs that a major return could be on the horizon. Recent comments from those closest to Ngannou suggest that his story in the UFC might not be over. Advertisement In a revealing interview on the Home of Fight YouTube channel, longtime coach Eric Nicksick opened up about Ngannou's mindset—and his willingness to revisit the UFC. 'I think enough time has passed. I would love to see somehow, some way that they can mend these fences and get back in competing in the UFC,' Nicksick shared. 'I think this is more about business than it is about ego. At least it is from Francis' side.' francis ngannouGetty Images Nicksick emphasized that Ngannou still values the freedom to be compensated like an independent contractor, stating, 'He wants the opportunity to be paid... for whoever needs your services for.' When discussing Dana White, he added, 'I think Dana is a smart enough businessman that it's not about his ego... the past is the past... why not explore those options?' With Jon Jones' return looking increasingly unlikely and the UFC heavyweight division in flux, a comeback for Ngannou could be a game-changing move. Advertisement It's believed that Ngannou still has one more fight left on his PFL contract, but if circumstances align, his return to the UFC could bring back the intrigue and power the heavyweight division is currently missing. Related: Sean O'Malley Issues Bold Claim Ahead of UFC 316 Showdown Related: Conor McGregor Reacts to Sean O'Malley's Camp Ahead of UFC 316 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ngannou responds to Jones' call for a 'super-fight'
Francis Ngannou has an overall MMA record of 18-3 with 13 knockouts [Getty Images] Francis Ngannou has said he wants to fight UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, two years after leaving the MMA promotion for the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Ngannou, 38, has mostly boxed since exiting the UFC, but has competed once in the PFL since signing with them in 2023. Advertisement After Ngannou's coach mooted a return to the UFC, Jones called for a "super-fight", to which the Cameroonian has now responded to. "You take care of the UFC, I'll take care of the PFL, and we'll finally find out who's the king of the heavyweight," Ngannou said on social media. Ngannou is under contract with the PFL while Jones, 37, has recently suggested he is retired and won't fight interim UFC champion Tom Aspinall. Ngannou's departure from the UFC was an ugly one, with Dana White saying in the aftermath he would never welcome Ngannou back. "It's over, that's over. He'll never be in the UFC again," White said in 2023. Advertisement Ngannou's coach Eric Nicksick sparked feverish speculation this month Ngannou wants to return to the UFC when he suggested that the best competition for his fighter was in the promotion. Jones, who has been involved in a social media back and forth with Aspinall for weeks, quickly responded to Nicksick's comments. "I'm hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested, now we're talking," Jones said. "That's a real super-fight. A clash of champions, not just hype. He held the UFC belt, I've defended mine for over a decade. Two kings from different roads. "Not just one legend facing a mouth that's hot right now, but two real legacies colliding." Advertisement The UFC have traditionally refused to do co-promotional events with rival MMA outfits. But PFL chief Donn Davis also responded to Ngannou's call-out, suggesting a "winner-takes-all" agreement which would see the triumphant heavyweight and his promotional company take all "event profits". Jones is a two-weight UFC champion. Ngannou was the reigning heavyweight champion when he left the UFC. Ngannou has 18 wins and three losses on his MMA record, while Jones - considered by many as the best MMA fighter of all time - has 28 wins, one loss and one no-contest. More MMA from the BBC
