Biaggio Ali Walsh Suffers Stunning Submission Loss to Ronnie Gibbs in Major PFL 7 Upset

What was supposed to be another showcase victory for rising prospect Biaggio Ali Walsh turned into a shocking upset, as Ronnie Gibbs submitted the grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali at PFL 7 in Chicago. Entering the fight as the heaviest betting favorite on the card, Ali Walsh was expected to cruise past Gibbs — but instead, he left the cage with the first loss of his professional MMA career.

Fighting in front of his hometown crowd, Ronnie Gibbs, a 31-year-old competing in just his second professional bout, defied all odds and expectations. The local underdog was listed as high as a +1000 underdog across betting platforms while Ali Walsh opened as a dominant -1100 favorite, with some oddsmakers listing him at -1600. But the odds didn’t reflect the grit and resilience Gibbs would showcase in the cage.

The fight began in dominant fashion for Ali Walsh, who came out aggressively and landed a thunderous right hand, sending Gibbs to the canvas within the first minute of the opening round. It looked like business as usual for the PFL standout, who had amassed an eight-fight win streak under the promotion and built momentum as a fan-favorite. As he continued to pour on offense and landed damaging strikes, many felt it was just a matter of time before Gibbs would fold under pressure.

However, the local fighter had other plans.

Showing tremendous heart and composure, Gibbs not only survived the early onslaught but gradually found his rhythm. He weathered the storm and made it to the second round, where he began to implement his game plan. Once the fight hit the ground, Gibbs reversed the tide and proved to have the upper hand in grappling exchanges. With calculated pressure and control, he transitioned into position and locked in an arm-triangle choke, forcing Ali Walsh to tap at 2:45 of the second round.

The submission not only stunned the audience at the Wintrust Arena, but also sent shockwaves through the MMA community. With the win, Gibbs improves to 2-0 in his professional career — both finishes — after making his debut in March with a second-round TKO win at Chicago Cagefighting Championship.

For Biaggio Ali Walsh, the loss is a humbling setback and a reminder of the ever-present danger in the sport. It snaps his PFL win streak and marks the first blemish on what had been a promising pro career. Still young and evolving, Ali Walsh will now have to regroup, adjust, and come back stronger in his next appearance.

Gibbs, on the other hand, just catapulted himself into the spotlight. From a local fighter with little fanfare to the man who submitted Ali’s heir apparent, his stock is soaring — and fans will surely be watching to see what he does next.