In the fight world, the only way is forward. Beating the best of the best or being exposed is part of the ever-developing game, and for Chris Morris this theory was about to be tested. Ranked number six in UK and Ireland at the lightweight division, the Preston born fighter got the opportunity of a lifetime by earning a spot on the PFL vs Bellator fight card, one of the biggest collaborative fight cards in MMA history, the event took place in Saudi Arabia.
Holding a professional record of eleven wins and two losses, Morris is a young yet feared opponent within his weight division, so when the possibility to fight one of the most prestigious bloodlines in the history of sport came calling, Morris did not back down. His opponent was no other than, Baggio Ali Walsh, the grandson of the late great Muhammad Ali. Baggio opted for a career path in MMA instead of following in the boxing footsteps of the ‘Greatest.’
“I got the news from my fight management team around early January, I knew I’d be the underdog but seeing how it was such a big platform and big opportunity I took the fight, taking an opportunity like that is a no brainer,” Morris said.
Baggio Ali Walsh has amassed a large audience following his career and has over 100,000 followers across social media, compared to Chris Norris with 2,000 followers.
Formerly UK Fighting Championship Lightweight champion, Morris put hard graft and dedication into being considered to fight at this breakthrough event. Training day and night, obsessing and breathing MMA all for one chance at making a name for himself.
A lot was on the line for both fighters, Morris had an opportunity to solidify himself in MMA on a global scale and Baggio Ali had the chance to highlight his skillset against a competitive opponent.
“We signed the contract and agreed to the fight, I even had to cancel a paid family holiday to make the fight happen, and then the training camp began.
“We were all waiting on the official announcement, about 10 days later they finally announced it”, Morris said.
Signed. Sealed but far from Delivered, after multiple issues back and forth with management teams, without reasoning the fight was cancelled by Baggio Ali and his fighting team.
The dream was snatched away from Morris.
“Two days after the announcement went live, Baggio and his team started making up silly problems and eventually pulled out of the fight, he was simply refusing to fight me,” Morris said.
Baggio Ali opted for a lesser-known opponent, a 19-year-old inexperienced fighter with only five fights under his belt. To rub salt into the wounds of Morris, Baggio took the new fight on the same fight card that the initial fight was meant to happen on.
Not only did he pull out of the fight with Chris Morris unexpectedly, he also rescheduled an easier fight.
In Combat Sports, it is quite common to fight ‘Journeymen.’ These fighters are stepping stones for emerging talent or future superstars. Baggio Ali has far more reach and recognition than Chris Morris, however, fighting the sixth best MMA fighter in the country would shoot fear into any man that stands across the octagon from you.
With that being said, Morris is far from a ‘Journeyman.’ With an extensive amateur portfolio and a combined thirteen professional fights, this is only the beginning for the Englishman, there is no doubt in his head that this fight will eventually happen.
Whether it be in sunny Saudi Arabia or pitiful Preston, Chris Morris has made his feelings clear on what he plans to do going forward.
“We are gonna make this fight happen, whether it be in 3,4 or 5 fights time”.
Who will win?
Baggio Ali
Chris Morris
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