The Ariel Helwani Show

Latest Episodes:

Instant reaction to Katie Taylor’s win and retirement at Croke Park | The Craic Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

In a special post-fight reaction show, Petesy Carroll reacts to Katie Taylor's retirement fight win over Flora Pili at Croke Park.

UFC 332 main event mystery, Nassourdine Imavov next for Sean Strickland? | The Craic Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

Our usual trio of Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall, and Ben Fowlkes are back for this week’s edition of The Craic.

UFC 332 is just a month away and still without a main event. The lads debate what could headline the Salt Lake City card (07:52).

With the lightweight division also in need of some clarity, the boys turn their attention to Justin Gaethje, who has yet to return to the cage. What could be next for the UFC lightweight champion? (22:12).

Then, they discuss the rumours that Sean Strickland could defend his belt against Nassourdine Imavov this December (30:29).

This weekend sees the UFC returning to Paris with Saladine Parnasse taking on Dan Hooker (43:43), while Katie Taylor prepares for her retirement party at the esteemed Croke Park (57:49). The lads get into it all.

To finish up, the trio answer your Super Chats (01:15:55).

UFC Paris preview, most disrespected UFC fighter, P4P debuts, voicemails, more | The Boys in the Back Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

The Boys in the Back kick off the show by covering the latest in the Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury saga (03:18) and other news and notes (15:34).

Then, they preview UFC Paris (35:32), including whether it's too soon for Salahdine Parnasse to face Dan Hooker and their pick for the most disrespected UFC fighter, before talking about the other combat sports action going down this weekend (1:26:47) and making picks (1:37:26).

Finally, they deliver their P4P debuts (1:40:40), listen to your voicemails (1:56:01) and answer your Super Chats (2:39:45).

Inside Boxing | Andy Ruiz vs. Damian Knyba preview, Moses Itauma fallout, Katie Taylor’s send-off Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show discussing all the fallout from Moses Itauma’s loss last weekend, from his official statement, to what was said in his corner, to if he can fully recover (04:03).

The heavyweight top 10 is ever changing, so Dan and Chris rank the division's best (24:36).

Andy Ruiz returns to the ring for the first time since 2024, facing Damian Knyba, a hard-hitting Polish fighter who gave Agit Kabayel all he could handle earlier this year. Can Ruiz find the magic one more time and reclaim his greatness (36:34)?
We end the show touching on Katie Taylor’s final fight from historic Croke Park in Ireland on Saturday afternoon (53:49).

Eddie Hearn, Song Yadong, Marlon 'Chito' Vera, Bilal Hasan, Anthony Wint, On The Nose, news & notes Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show with last weekend’s big winner, Song Yadong, who recaps his massive knockout of Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Shanghai. Song talks about why he felt it would be an easy fight, not being bothered by Umar’s comments before the fight, the experience of fighting in front of his countrymen in China, his reaction to Usman Nurmagomedov coming into the cage, Khabib Nurmagomedov wiping blood off his face, and more (05:24).

Eddie Hearn returns to discuss Katie Taylor’s sendoff at Croke Park, the drama surrounding Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury and whether he sees a resolution happening, the involvement of Dana White and Zuffa Boxing, his relationship with Turki Alalshikh and Sela, the latest on Matchroom Talent Agency and potential interest in working with Paulo Costa, Tom Aspinall’s return, and more (30:54).

Petesy Carroll checks in with a live report from Katie Taylor’s open workout at The Helix in Dublin, Ireland (1:06:46).

Ariel and The Boys in the Back answer your On The Nose questions regarding kids getting into combat sports, BKFC’s Fenway Park event, the return of The Uncrowned Beat, rumors about the UFC 332 main event, the potential for Umar or Usman Nurmagomedov to carry on Khabib’s legacy, Contender Series’ ability to create stars, and more (1:19:51).

Bilal Hasan makes his show debut, talking about his memorable Contender Series debut, representing Indonesia, his viral popularity, having his dad in his corner, his fandom of Michael Jackson, his callout of Andre Lima, and more (2:02:20).

Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera talks about dealing with and overcoming self-doubt during his recent skid, making major changes to his camp and life, his upcoming fight against Charles Jourdain and grappling against Jose Aldo, and more (2:34:44).

Anthony Wint is our final guest of the day, discussing his rapid rise from Contender Series to UFC, having no prior combat sports experience, not loving the art of fighting, his NFL career, comparisons to Josh Hokit, battling homelessness and gambling addiction, and more (3:09:06).

Ariel covers some news and notes (3:46:31), answers more On The Nose questions (3:53:43) and closes with Super Chats (4:08:20).

The Uncrowned Wrestling Show | Fantastic All In show, New Level debuts, Sunday Night’s Main Event predictions Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Solomonster raves about AEW All In London and has a lot to say about Will Ospreay’s title win and entrance at Wembley, plus Eric Bischoff comparing it to a Nasty Boys match (1:14).

He also has thoughts on the return of Britt Baker after nearly two years, the debut of The New Level, what really attracted them to AEW, the one team missing from the tag team standoff, and Mercedes Mone breaking her nose while winning the world title (7:27).

Kota Ibushi updates us on his broken leg and it’s not good, plus Jim Ross is back with a health update and why he wasn’t present in London for the PPV (32:32).

NXT Heatwave thoughts, including the match you should go out of your way to watch, Grayson Waller wins the NXT championship, and why it felt like he was one step away from being released before this latest run (39:16).

News on the return of Wrestlepalooza and what it could mean for the John Cena Classic, Penta and Rey Fenix battle to decide who gets to challenge Roman Reigns in Mexico City, one possible creative path for Jacob Fatu, plus a preview and predictions for Sunday Night's Main Event in Atlanta (43:50).

Injury updates on Kevin Owens after a scare this past weekend and Matt Cardona speaks from the heart after tearing his tricep (56:21).

Mercedes Martinez announces her sudden retirement in the middle of her final tour and more embarrassing Ric Flair tweets, as he threatens to sue over stolen robes (1:04:39).

Ending with your questions, talking a possible Ilja Dragunov debut in AEW, a Mighty Mouse and Ben Askren-type trade between WWE and AEW, and some of the top wrestler monikers (1:10:35).

Kofi & Austin Creed break their silence, Bella Mir, Alex Apodaca, Mayhem Miller, Ronald Humphrey, news & notes Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Ariel Helwani quickly previews today’s lineup before being joined by The New Level to talk about their recent AEW debut. Kofi and Austin Creed reveal behind-the-scenes details about AEW negotiations, their first time interacting with the rest of the roster, reports of WWE asking them to take a pay cut and the decision to part ways, their continued relationship with Big E, the positive vibes around AEW right now, and more (04:45).

Alex Apodaca makes her show debut, discussing the shocking upset of Bella Mir, being a massive underdog in the fight, how she got her start in MMA, her accounting job, getting awarded the UFC contract by Dana White, her reaction to Mir’s mother’s comments on social media, and more (1:05:29).

Ronald Humphrey joins on the heels of his impressive win on Contender Series, talking about the experience on the show, as well as the fighting career and death of his father, Abongo, his thoughts on the rest of the UFC welterweight division, including champion Islam Makhachev, his goal of being an all-time great, and more (1:34:36).

Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller is back to discuss his episode of Vice’s Dark Side of the Cage and reflect on his career, overcoming legal troubles, his recent growth and evolution, and his time on Bully Beatdown. He also touches on his coaching career, his girlfriend, how to support fighters after retirement, and more (2:12:00).

Bella Mir looks back at her first career loss, detailing the preparation, the fight itself, and the aftermath. She goes into her weight cut, whether there was additional pressure, how she felt during the fight, her mother’s comments after the fight, expectations for her career, whether she has a UFC deal, and more (2:44:03).

Ariel announces the return of The Uncrowned Beat, covers recent news items (3:22:03), and then answers your Super Chats (3:31:26).

Wild weekend recap, Andy Ruiz in studio, Katie Taylor, Joe Lauzon, news & notes Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show by recapping a wild weekend of combat sports, starting with Song Yadong’s stunning knockout of Umar Nurmagomedov, as well as brother Usman Nurmagomedov’s viral moment (01:30).

Katie Taylor joins ahead of her highly-anticipated retirement fight at Croke Park to talk about headlining the historic venue, her plans post-retirement, the various tributes being paid to her career, and more (32:22).

Ariel and crew react to Moses Itauma’s stunning loss at the hands of Filip Hrgovic, including foreshadowing comments by Itauma in now-unearthed interviews and Oleksandr Usyk’s thoughts on the fight, before discussing the embarrassing Duel Arena event (53:41).

UFC veteran Joe Lauzon discusses his BKFC debut, including what it was like to fight at Fenway Park, preparing for his first boxing bout, the damage sustained from bare-knuckle punches, his UFC contract status, and more (1:41:03).

Heavyweight boxer Andy Ruiz joins Ariel in-studio to talk about his comeback, his desire to be champion again, signing with Matchroom Boxing, his thoughts on Zuffa Boxing, his reaction to Moses Itauma’s loss, his son wanting to pursue boxing as well, releasing a diss track, and more (2:03:40).

Ariel covers other news and notes, including Zabit Magomedsharipov’s successful return to competition, Muhammad Mokaev grabbing grappling gold, Justin Gaethje getting into motivational speaking, Dana White being asked about the secret location he’s teasing, and more (2:51:47).

The show closes with your Super Chats (3:39:54).

Inside Boxing | Filip Hrgovic stuns exhausted Moses Itauma, Chantelle Cameron beats Mikaela Mayer, Lester Martinez shines Aug 30, 2026

Show notes

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show recapping one of the craziest endings to a heavyweight fight in ages, as Filip Hrgovic pulled off the massive upset of Moses Itauma, who simply ran out of gas (03:32).

How will Itauma bounce back from this loss? Chris digs deep into the psyche of Itauma and if his team prepared properly for this fight (29:43).

Over in Los Angeles, ProBoxTV rolled out one of their biggest fight cards to date with Lester Martinez defeating Luka Plantic in the main event. The co-main event saw Najee Lopez defeat Juan Carillo after a very bizarre replay review (47:24).

Finally, over in Birmingham, UK, Chantelle Cameron defeated Mikaela Mayer in a very close, back-and-forth fight. In the co-main event, Caroline Dubois defeated Amelia Moore then got into it again with Alycia Baumgardner outside the ring (53:38).

Dillon Danis pulls out again, Usman Nurmagomedov talks money, more | The Craic Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Petesy Carroll and Ben Fowlkes are back for a duo edition of The Craic.

Dillon Danis has pulled out of his MMA fight with Mike Perry. The boys react to the news (02:11).

Following her loss on Dana White’s Contender Series, Bella Mir has taken plenty of flack online. Petesy and Ben discuss the response to her defeat (23:21).

Then, the lads weigh in on Usman Nurmagomedov’s claim that he turned down a $2 million offer from PFL (49:19).

Looking ahead to the weekend, Petesy and Ben preview Moses Itauma’s return to the ring (59:05) and UFC Shanghai (01:03:41).

To finish up, the duo answer your Super Chats (01:13:35).

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