The Ariel Helwani Show

Latest Episodes:

UFC 316 weigh-in reaction, Kayla Harrison makes 135, Jon Jones' tweet storm, more | The Craic Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

The Craic is back! Petesy Carroll is joined by Craic regulars Chuck Mindenhall and Ben Fowlkes.

The boys open the show by breaking down the UFC 316 weigh-in results and analyzing which fighters looked sharp on the scales (5:14).

One fighter who had no trouble making weight was Kayla Harrison, who challenges Juliana Peña for the bantamweight title. The guys explore each fighter’s path to victory and debate whether the betting line is disrespecting the reigning champion, Peña (10:14).

Despite two title fights on the card, the buzz around UFC 316 isn’t quite where it should be. The trio discuss the underwhelming ticket sales and whether the UFC is currently in a slump with fans (20:47).

Shifting gears to the main event, the guys dive into the biggest storylines ahead of Sean O’Malley’s second title challenge against Merab Dvalishvili (23:42).

Is Patchy Mix the best fighter to make the jump from Bellator to the UFC? Petesy and the lads break down the challenge ahead for the newcomer, as he takes on Mario Bautista in a bid to enter the top of the bantamweight sweepstakes (35:15).

Jon Jones is back in the headlines! The crew react to his latest tweet storm, and weigh in on the increasingly unlikely unification bout with Tom Aspinall (49:03).

To close out the show, Petesy and the guys pay tribute to the late MMA media legend Jordan Breen (56:10).

UFC 316 mega preview, Jordan Leavitt joins the show, Fight Feasts, voicemails, more | The Boys in the Back Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

The Boys in the Back start the show with quick mention of Vasiliy Lomachenko's retirement, before diving into their UFC 316 mega preview, including the main event (3:16), co-main event (29:31), and other action on the card (53:48).

Then, they're joined by Jordan Leavitt for a thoughtful and fascinating conversation about his life and career (1:04:08).

After debuting a brand new Fight Feasts (1:46:13), focused on Venezuelan food, the Boys give their P4P lists of jerseys (1:59:33), listen to your voicemails (2:16:56) and answer Super Chats (2:45:48).

Robbie Lawler in studio, Maycee Barber speaks, Keyshawn Davis, UFC 316 preview, On The Nose Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani and the Boys in the Back answer your On the Nose questions to start the show (7:34), then GC hops on the Aviron bike, but has Sean Brady accepted the challenge?

Keyshawn Davis calls in to preview his WBO lightweight title defense against Edwin De Los Santos and talk about meeting Michael Vick and Allen Iverson in his hometown, speculation around Gervonta "Tank" Davis, Teofimo Lopez’s recent comments, his relationship with boxing, and more (1:03:21).

Maycee Barber clears the air on the medical emergency that forced her to pull out of her UFC main-event fight against Erin Blanchfield and discusses what she remembers from the night (1:31:14).

Robbie Lawler, soon-to-be two-time UFC Hall of Famer, joins in studio to discuss coaching, his upcoming second induction, his connection with Rory MacDonald, BKFC rumors, BJ Penn’s recent troubles, life after fighting, and relives moments from his historic career (1:54:06).

The Boys check back in with Ariel and finish with more On the Nose questions and Super Chats (2:53:40).

Join us on the bike: avironactive.com/uncrowned

Ariel x Ade, episode 29: Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez, what's going on? Plus, interviews with Richardson Hitchins and Justis Huni Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani and Ade Oladipo start the show by discussing Caleb Plant’s upset loss to Armando Resendiz and where the result leaves the Jermall Charlo fight (4:57).

Next, they're joined by Justis Huni to preview his short-notice title fight against Fabio Wardley and talk about how adversity prepared him for this moment, boxing in enemy territory, and his quick rise to the top at heavyweight (12:52).

Then, Richardson Hitchins joins ahead of the George Kambosos fight to discuss becoming the face of boxing in New York City, potential next opponents, and more (33:27).

Ariel and Ade react to the back and forth between Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez and what it means for other stars in the division (50:12), before pivoting to Jaime Munguía’s recent failed drug test (57:27).

The duo finishes the day with a look at this weekend’s slate of fights, including the return of superstar Keyshawn Davis (1:04:46), and delivers the Parting Shot (1:08:31).

Derrick Lewis, Mark Kriegel (in studio) on Mike Tyson book, former NFL star Shawne Merriman, more Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani and the Boys in the Back kick off the show with another angle on the conversation about the UFC being "washed" (06:26).

Shawne Merriman, former NFL star, joins the show to talk about his MMA promotion, Lights Out Xtreme Fighting. He outlines his start in combat sports, competing with the UFC’s control of the industry, hosting athlete vs. athlete superfights, talks with WWE, and more (31:06).

Mark Kriegel — legendary analyst, journalist, and author — joins Ariel in-studio to discuss his new book, "Baddest Man: The Making of Mike Tyson." He breaks down his start in sportswriting, his rocky relationship with Tyson, the evolution of his career, what he has learned from boxing, and dives into many more stories from his life (1:01:35).

Derrick Lewis calls in as the last guest of the program leading up to his UFC main event in Nashville and talks about his decline at heavyweight, his reasons for choosing MMA instead of boxing, his fight cancellation in November, what he wants next, and more (1:58:50).

Ariel and the guys wrap up by answering your Super Chats (2:44:05).

Chael Sonnen, Erin Blanchfield, 'Cora Jade' In Studio, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, weekend news & notes Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani and the Boys in the Back kick off the show with news, notes, and a recap of this past weekend’s UFC main event drama (03:31).

Friend of the program and current "The Ultimate Fighter" coach Chael Sonnen joins the program to discuss his coaching style, working with Colby Covington, recent disagreements over social media with Ariel, interviewing Tom Aspinall and the Jon Jones dilemma, mending things with Valentina Shevchenko, working with Real American Freestyle Wrestling, and more (18:10).

Jairzinho Rosenstruik calls in following his removal from the UFC after losing to Sergei Pavlovich and talks about signing with Dirty Boxing Promotions, his future in MMA, the passing of his coach Michael Babb, and more (1:11:32).

Erin Blanchfield comes on after her last-minute main-event cancellation at UFC Vegas 107 to discuss Maycee Barber’s severe medical issues, fighting a big name next, learning from her loss to Manon Fiorot, and more (1:28:58).

Elayna Black, formerly known as "Cora Jade," joins in-studio to discuss her shocking departure from the WWE, coming back from major injuries and hardships, dealing with intense negativity, dropping out of high school to pursue professional wrestling, her next move in the sport, and much more (1:57:14).

Petesy joins Ariel and the crew to pay respect to Canadian MMA journalist Jordan Breen after his tragic passing. They wrap up by reacting to more news topics and answering your Super Chats (3:05:14).

TUF is cooked, Maycee Barber misses weight, Tom Aspinall trolls Jon Jones, troubling BJ Penn news | The Craic May 30, 2025

Show notes

On this week’s edition of The Craic, Petesy Carroll is joined by Ben Fowlkes and Drake Riggs.

Kicking off the show, they dive into breaking news: Maycee Barber has missed weight for her fight against Erin Blanchfield, along with several other fighters on this weekend’s Apex card (4:02).

Another UFC product that returned this week is The Ultimate Fighter. The guys discuss why the show feels underwhelming, even with fan favorites Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier coaching opposing teams (14:15).

The trio then address the troubling news surrounding former UFC champion BJ Penn, who was arrested this week. His mother has reportedly been granted a restraining order, citing a pattern of concerning behavior (30:37).

There’s also more on the potential Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones fight, but it’s not good news. Jones’s recent comments make the matchup seem even further out of reach, and the guys break down what this could mean for the long-anticipated superfight (39:28).

To wrap things up, the fellas discuss Vitor Belfort’s recent Hall of Fame induction and examine the evolving narratives around drug testing in combat sports (52:35).

Will Movsar Evlovev ever get a title shot? Plus, UFC's stacked June, UFC Vegas 107 preview, more | The Boys in the Back May 29, 2025

Show notes

The Boys in the Back kick off with a look at the latest in the Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall saga, including some light-hearted social media posts (03:05).

Then, they discuss Movsar Evloev's tough road to a UFC title shot and some historic comparisons for other fighters who have had to wait for their opportunity (07:30).

Next, they look ahead to the UFC's loaded June schedule (31:05), before breaking down UFC Vegas 107 (39:47).

Finally, the Boys make picks (57:46), give their P4P MMA haircuts (1:01:41), listen to your voicemails (1:20:43), and answer Super Chats (1:54:33).

LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL: +1-415-787-2482

Dan Hooker, Joe Pyfer, Tim Welch, Sean Grande in studio, On The Nose, more May 28, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani and the Boys in the Back kick off the show by answering your On the Nose questions (14:22).

Tim Welch, longtime coach and business partner of superstar Sean O’Malley, joins before their rematch against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316. He talks about opening his gym, visits from Israel Adesanya and Demetrius Johnson, Sean’s change in lifestyle, antics during the first bout, reminisces on his career, and much more (58:31).

The crew comes back to answer more questions (1:39:51).

Joe Pyfer previews his fight against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 316 and discusses the illness that forced him out of UFC Mexico, his beef with Jeremy Stephens, Sean Brady's next fight, coming back from back surgery, learning from his Jack Hermansson loss, and sets the conditions for GC’s Aviron bike race against Sean (2:13:35).

Dan Hooker calls in after his most recent surgery to provide insight into his return timeline and break down his newest viral venture: one-minute scraps, a winner-takes-all $50,000 backyard brawl tournament (2:48:06).

Sean Grande, the voice of the Boston Celtics and former Bellator announcer, joins in-studio to talk about how he got involved in combat sports, his legendary call of Peter Queally’s walkout against Patricky Pitbull, the importance of storytelling in MMA, Bellator’s end, Olympic boxing, the future of sports broadcasting, plus many more stories from his celebrated career (3:11:57).

Ariel and the Boys end the packed day by addressing your Super Chats (4:17:27).

Ariel x Ade, episode 28: Moses Itauma is spectacular, Fabio Wardley joins the show, ranking the most exciting fighters May 27, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani and Ade Oladipo begin the show with a tribute to boxer Georgia O'Connor, who tragically died at just 25 years old (06:16).

Next, they transition to the shocking retirement of Delicious Orie (11:16), before being joined by Fabio Wardley ahead of his homecoming fight against Justis Huni (17:34).

Then, they react to another spectacular performance by Moses Itauma (37:42) and debut the Popcorn List, where Ariel and Ade each rank their top 10 most exciting boxers (43:08).

They close the show with a check-in on the status of Tyson Fury (1:00:58), preview this weekend's action, (1:04:59) and deliver the Parting Shot (1:13:07).

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