The Ariel Helwani Show

Latest Episodes:

Darren Till, Diego Lopes, Steve Garcia, GothamChess in studio, weekend recap, news & notes, more Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show with more excitement for the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals run, before recapping the weekend. The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll join him to discuss Ilia Topuria saying Justin Gaethje made their fight personal, Arman Tsarukyan claiming he wagered $1 million on Gaethje, Sean Strickland’s White House drama, Dana White suggesting Alex Pereira could become MMA’s GOAT, and more (01:36).

Diego Lopes is back on the show, previewing his meeting with Steve Garcia at the White House, then talking about frustrations with things being taken out of context in the media, lessons learned from his two fights against Alex Volkanovski, his prediction for Volkanovski’s presumed title defense against Movsar Evloev, and more (37:01).

Darren Till returns to recap his big BKFC debut, shoot down accusations of PED use due to his transformed physique, express interest in fighting Mike Perry and Yoel Romero, tease a potential return to MMA, weigh in on Eddie Hearn’s handling of Tom Aspinall’s career, and more (1:03:17).

Steve Garcia joins the show to discuss the Lopes fight, competing on the White House lawn, feeling disrespected by not having more notoriety despite his success, teammate Holly Holm’s controversial loss to Stephanie Han, his love of golf, and more (1:32:05).

Levy Rozman, aka chess International Master “GothamChess,” joins Ariel in-studio to talk about his life and career, the recent popularity of chess, building a successful YouTube channel, his combat sports fandom and training, and more. Then Levy takes Ariel to chess school (2:01:31)!

Ariel closes the show with news and notes, including Dana White and Eddie Hearn’s latest war of words (3:05:03), before answering your Super Chats (3:35:03).

Will UFC White House card boost Paramount subs? Katie Taylor's Croke Park dream, more | The Craic Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall, and Ben Fowlkes return for another edition of The Craic.

Chuck kicks off the show by sharing his plans to attend the UFC White House card in person (4:43).

Paramount also weighed in on its partnership with the UFC, outlining what they hope to achieve through the deal (16:30).

After years of speculation, Croke Park is officially set to host Katie Taylor’s next fight. Petesy sheds light on the mood in Ireland ahead of the historic event (43:30).

Fellow Irishman Conor McGregor’s reported sparring partners have also come to light. Are these the right names to help prepare him for his return (54:58)?

Michael Bisping had some harsh words for Tom Aspinall regarding his recovery from eye injury. The lads examine Bisping’s apparent change in stance (59:50).

To close up shop, the boys look ahead to PFL action (01:10:05), before answering your Super Chats (01:32:21).

Inside Boxing | Devin Haney vs. Keyshawn Davis ordered by WBO, Lamont Roach vs. William Zepeda set, voicemails Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show discussing the recent WBO ordering of Devin Haney vs. Keyshawn Davis at welterweight, including if the fight will happen, who will win, and the entire welterweight picture at this very moment (03:18).

Lamont Roach is returning to the ring and the lightweight division as his fight with William Zepeda was made official for Aug. 1 in Las Vegas for the vacant WBC title (14:38).

Chris Billam-Smith vs. Ryan Rozicki is this weekend’s fight to keep an eye on and we have your picks for this one (26:59).

We end the show with your voicemails, ranging from favorite pizza spot on Long Island, to Tank Davis’ status, to what we do not like about the changes being made to the Muhammad Ali Revival Act (33:03).

Sean Strickland banned from UFC White House card? Tom Aspinall not invited? | The Boys in the Back Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

After reading your five-star podcast reviews (04:02) and tackling some news and notes (08:03), The Boys in the Back react to Sean Strickland claiming he was banned from attending the UFC White House card (11:53), leading to a back-and-forth with headliner Justin Gaethje. Tom Aspinall also came out and said he wasn't invited to attend the event.

The Boys then preview UFC Vegas 118 (39:20) and give their picks (1:07:21), before delivering their P4P worst mic moments (1:12:45).

The show closes with your voicemails (1:45:19) and Super Chats (2:14:54).

Cory Sandhagen, Dakota Ditcheva, Holly Holm, David Feldman, On The Nose, White House card ban, news & notes Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show by reveling in scenes from the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals appearance, before answering your On The Nose questions, with topics including Action Bronson’s brilliance, whether Tom Aspinall vs. Francis Ngannou is a realistic fight, the strength of the UFC White House card, and more (00:57).

Dakota Ditcheva is back on the show to talk about her fight against Denise Kielholtz, why there’s no PFL belt on the line, returning from injury, wanting to retire by the time she’s 32 years old, her criticism of Ronda Rousey’s comments about Khamzat Chimaev, and more (58:28).

Holly Holm returns on the heels of her loss to Stephanie Han to discuss the scoring of the fight, frustrations with the referee for their first fight in Puerto Rico, whether she believes she’ll end up facing Katie Taylor, potential fights against Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey, and more (1:35:56).

BKFC President David Feldman joins to talk about Darren Till’s impressive promotional debut, Mike Perry’s contract status, a timeline for the $25 million “World’s Baddest Man” tournament, whether Conor McGregor will compete for the promotion when his UFC deal ends, and more (2:08:51).

Cory Sandhagen is back to break down his rematch against Mario Bautista, give his predictions for Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi and Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway, explain his social media voice, his friendship with the late Chuck Norris, and more (2:35:55).

After answering more On The Nose questions (3:09:08), Ariel tackles Super Chats (3:22:46).

The Uncrowned Wrestling Show | This year's best match just happened, Clash In Italy thoughts, another Ric Flair meltdown Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Solomonster opens with his thoughts on the greatest all-around spectacle of the year in pro wrestling and the fumble WWE is making if they don’t capitalize on things with Chad Gable (0:28:24).

Then, he dives into Clash in Italy, including Brock Lesnar beating Oba Femi and why it wasn’t necessary. Plus Jacob Fatu drops two straight to Roman Reigns, and why a conversation needs to be had about WWE's infatuation with the Bloodline (12:17).

Thoughts on the the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, potential winners, and why one hand doesn’t know what the other hand is doing when it comes to King of the Ring announcements (34:10).

Reaction to a former WWE intercontinental champion being arrested in an embarrassing McDonald’s Drive Thru incident (49:34).

AEW announces a new PPV event for Montreal, why it feels like Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay will main event at Wembley Stadium, and how AEW plans to fill the TBS championship vacancy (53:09).

TNA contract news on Leon Slater and why they allegedly did not allow him to break the record for longest-reigning X Division champion (58:56).

Ric Flair has another social media meltdown, this time dragging his son publicly and threatening to sue him (1:01:23) and an ex-WWE writer reveals a pitch for a terrible nWo reboot in 2020 that nearly became a reality (1:05:42).

Mick Foley, Scott Coker in studio, O’Shaquie Foster, Omari Jones, Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje trade shots, news & notes, more Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Ariel Helwani starts the show by covering some news and notes (TIME).

Mick Foley joins the show, discussing his decision to cut ties with WWE due to associations with President Trump, his decision to sign with AEW, his relationship with Tony Khan and role for the promotion, how the AEW product compares to WWE’s offering, being a mentor for up-and-coming talent, whether he has any career regrets, his love of boxing, and more (17:01).

Scott Coker is in-studio to talk about his return to the MMA industry, the end of Bellator and why he didn’t end up with PFL, how long this league was in the works, plans for tournaments and broadcast partners, the state of the sport and potential UFC competitors, Dana White’s promotional tactics, funding for the new promotion, and more (1:04:38).

Olympic bronze medalist and big-time boxing prospect Omari Jones makes his show debut, talking about his pro success, finding himself in the middle of Xander Zayas and ‘Boots’ Ennis drama, getting his start in karate before moving to boxing, being around the likes of LeBron James and Steph Curry during his time at the Olympics, Jake Paul training at the Olympic training center, and more (2:04:17).

WBC super featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster is our final guest of the day, recapping his win over Ray Ford, then discussing his heated exchange with Shakur Stevenson after the fight, the viral moment where Foster threw Ford through the ropes, whether he believes the fight with Stevenson will be made, stories from their training sessions, overcoming difficult circumstances early in his life, and more (2:36:15).

Ariel brings in the Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll to cover some news and notes, including escalating trash talk between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, Georges St-Pierre revealing his demands at the time for an Anderson Silva fight, Alex Pereira appearing in the new A24 film, and more (2:58:41).

The show closes with your Super Chats (3:22:02).

Inside Boxing | WBC creates messy David Benavidez-Noel Mikaelian-Jai Opetaia situation, Foster defeats Ford, Serrano ties knockout record Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show discussing the recent WBC ruling that Noel Mikaelian must fight David Benavidez or be stripped of his title. Mikaelian was close to finalizing a deal with lineal champion Jai Opetaia. It’s a messy situation that has a lot of ramifications for the future of the sport (02:19).

Dmitry Bivol returned to the ring this weekend and pitched a shutout over Michael Eifert, showing he still has it. Will he fight David Benavidez next or will he get a third fight with Artur Beterbiev (15:46)?

O’Shaquie Foster defeated Ray Ford in a very nip-and-tuck fight that saw him pull away late. Shakur Stevenson then entered the ring which led to a debate on who Foster should fight next. Fellow champion Emanuel Navarette is the clear choice if Foster wants to unify the titles (24:26).

Over in El Paso, Texas, Stephanie Han defeated Holly Holm in a fight many thought Holm won. Will Caroline Dubois be next for Han? Can Holm still get the Katie Taylor fight despite coming off a loss (38:39)?

Amanda Serrano got a stoppage win and tied Christy Martin’s knockout record. She has mentioned retiring at the end of the year (45:15).

Arman Tsarukyan, Ben Askren makes major announcement, Action Bronson, massive weekend recap, more Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show by recapping a massive combat sports weekend, including Stephanie Han’s win over Holly Holm, UFC Macau and Road to UFC, Darren Till’s BKFC debut, Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington’s RAF rivalry, and more (07:14).

Music and entertainment icon Action Bronson returns to drop knowledge about a multitude of things, including his New York Knicks being in the NBA Finals, his new album Planet Frog, his thoughts on some upcoming UFC fights, and more (1:03:03).

Ben Askren joins to announce that he’ll be wrestling Belal Muhammad for RAF, talking about overcoming his near-fatal health crisis, his preparation for the match, recognizing similarities between his situation and that of NASCAR’s Kyle Busch, who recently died from pneumonia, how he thinks Gable Steveson will do in the UFC, his prediction for Tsarukyan vs. Covington, and more (1:33:51).

Ariel and the crew cover some more news and notes, including action from the boxing world, AAA’s mask vs. mask match, Katie Taylor teasing her final fight, UFC releasing soccer merch ahead of the World Cup, and more (2:09:48).

Arman Tsarukyan is back following another RAF win to detail his future plans in the wrestling world, provide thoughts on Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, react to Colby Covington’s callout, give insights into Khamzat Chimaev's difficult UFC 328 weight cut, react to Ryan Garcia talking about their bet, and more (3:18:53).

Ariel wraps up the show with a few more news items, including Dana White’s recent comments about mental health and Anderson Silva, and Eddie Hearn calling for Tom Aspinall’s release (4:03:51), before answering your Super Chats (4:53:35).

Joe Rogan criticizes UFC White House event, Dana White's media blitz, more | The Craic May 29, 2026

Show notes

The Craic is back! This time, it’s the duo of Petesy Carroll and Ben Fowlkes chopping it up.

To kick things off, the lads react to construction beginning for the UFC's White House card (03:38), along with Joe Rogan’s criticisms of the event (25:20).

The promotion behind the White House event has been relentless. Does Dana White deserve more credit for his recent media tour (38:10)?

The UFC President also opened up about the circumstances around Anderson Silva’s exit from the organization, which the boys discuss (44:02).

UFC Macau is this weekend, so Petesy and Ben talk the early start time and what the card has to offer (52:00).

Holly Holm’s boxing return (58:38) and Darren Till’s BKFC debut (01:02:06) also feature on this weekend’s slate.

To close the show, the duo answer your Super Chats (01:17:40).

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