The Ariel Helwani Show

Latest Episodes:

Dricus du Plessis, Jared Cannonier, George Lockhart, MMA 4 Nations Face-Off? Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani and the gang kick off the show by laying out MMA's own version of the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament (06:46).

Dricus du Plessis discusses his latest UFC middleweight title defense over Sean Strickland, Belal Muhammad's recent comments, his game plan to stop Khamzat Chimaev and more (31:23).

Jared Cannonier discusses his "y'all must've forgot" win over Gregory Rodrigues, how he's somehow still competing at an elite level at age 40, what's next in his UFC career and more (01:06:51).

George Lockhart, Joseph Parker's nutritionist, previews Saturday's gigantic boxing card and Parker's upcoming challenge against IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, plus more (01:31:01).

The Boys in the Back rejoin Ariel to discuss outstanding news and notes, including an update from Eric Nicksick on his relationship with Sean Strickland (02:06:41).

Dominick Cruz, Bruce Buffer, Keyshawn Davis in studio, Song Yadong, Youssef Zalal, weekend recap Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani and the gang react to the busy weekend in combat sports (23:53).

Youssef Zalal discusses his big UFC Vegas 102 win over Calvin Kattar, why he believes Kattar and his team were cheating, his road back to the UFC after his failed first stint, Topuria vs. Volkanovski 2 and more (41:13).

Bruce Buffer discusses his UFC Hall of Fame reveal, the remarkable road that led him down this path, how much longer he has left before retirement, his brother Michael Buffer and more (01:03:13).

Keyshawn Davis joins in-studio to discuss his WBO lightweight title win, the culprit of the racist package left at his hotel room during fight week, harrowing struggles with mental health, Gervonta Davis and more (01:39:25).

Song Yadong discusses his UFC Seattle main event against Henry Cejudo, his fast-improving English, the state of the bantamweight division and more (02:43:45).

Dominick Cruz discusses the emotional decision behind his UFC retirement, injuries he's suffered throughout his career, what's next for him, surprising messages of support he's received, favorite memories and more (03:12:16).

Will Sean Strickland and Eric Nicksick reconcile? No MMA fighters among 100 highest-paid athletes | The Craic Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

Petesy Carroll and Chuck Mindehall give their thoughts on the split between Sean Strickland and Eric Nicksick (4:36), on the back of the UFC middleweight claiming he would no longer have the Xtreme Couture head coach in his corner after UFC 312.

While pondering wether the two would reconcile, the conversation shifts to Anthony Smith and Rampage Jackson (31:36) squashing their beef that arose from Smith’s criticism of Jaxxon Podcast’s handling of an interview they had with controversial featherweight Bryce Mitchell. The lads discuss what impact the growing number of fighter publications has on journalism and consider whether situations like this will happen more because of it.

Not a single MMA fighter made Sportico's list of the 100 highest-paid athletes for 2024, so Petesy and Chuck weigh-in on whether that is a shocking revelation or completely expected (43:06) and forecast if discussions about fighter unions will likely sprout around the time of the UFC’s new broadcast deal being announced.

Finally, they take a quick look at this weekend’s Apex extravaganza (54:23).

Join us on the bike: avironactive.com/uncrowned

The Boys in the Back play matchmaker for UFC PPVs, Sean Strickland and Eric Nicksick split, Oleksandr Usyk vs. Alex Pereira?! Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

The Boys in the Back start the show by reacting to Sean Strickland saying coach Eric Nicksick will no longer be in his corner (05:32).
Then, with Valentine's Day approaching, the Boys play matchmaker for several of the UFC's recently announced fight cards (14:03).
Next, they discuss Oleksandr Usyk saying he wants to fight Alex Pereira (37:47) and preview UFC Vegas 102 (43:32)
Finally, The Boys make picks (01:03:50), give their P4P rankings of matches made in heaven (01:12:00), and answer your questions (01:32:01).

Eddie Hearn, Rich Franklin, Aleksandre Topuria, Megan Anderson, On The Nose, more Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani answers all your latest On The Nose questions about Dana White's stance on free speech, whether UFC fans being priced out at live events, romantic gestures for Valentine's Day, and more (08:16).

UFC analyst Megan Anderson discusses Eric Nicksick's viral comments about Sean Strickland, Zhang Weili's win over Tatiana Suarez, Manon Fiorot potentially getting skipped in favor of a Valentina Shevchenko superfight and more (33:37).

UFC legend and ONE Championship executive Rich Franklin discusses the latest ONE news, his MMA legacy, whether he'd entertain a comeback with GFL, getting grounded knees to the head legalized in North America and more (01:02:28).

Matchroom's Eddie Hearn discusses Anthony Joshua's next move, Jake Paul's drama with Canelo Alvarez, the upcoming Feb. 22 super-card, whether Tank Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson happens in 2025 and more (01:33:46).

Aleksandre Topuria discusses his successful UFC 312 debut, what it's like being the brother of UFC champion Ilia Topuria, his MMA journey, whether GC actually looks like Guram and more (02:08:28).

Ariel picks back up with all your On The Nose questions about whether Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall will happen, the ongoing Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud, fights thats belong in the UFC Hall of Fame, the lightweight GOAT, and more (02:36:02).

Ariel x Ade, episode 12: Did Canelo use Jake Paul? Who should Derek Chisora’s 50th fight be against? Weekend preview, more Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Ariel x Ade kicks begins with thoughts and condolences to the family of Irish boxer John Cooney, who tragically died after suffering a brain injury following his title fight (02:55).

Then, Ariel and Ade break down the dramatic Canelo Alvarez negotiations (05:25), the finalized four-fight deal — including a highly-anticipated Terence Crawford fight (14:08) — and what's next for Jake Paul (27:20)?

The duo looks ahead to Jack Catterall vs. Arnold Barboza Jr. (29:16), before being joined by Catterall's manager Sam Jones for a lively chat (32:39).

Next, they preview Keyshawn Davis vs. Denis Berinchyk (50:22) and recap Derek Chisora’s win against Otto Wallin (55:05).

Finally, they review Queensbury's opening schedule (01:01:09) and provide a Parting Shot, which wonders who Chisora could face in his 50th fight (01:10:38).

KSI, Eric Nicksick, Bubba Ray Dudley, UFC antitrust settlement news, International Fight Week headliner, more Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani and the gang kick off the show by discussing UFC's impending media rights negotiation, Top Rank Boxing and ESPN parting ways, and PFL's upcoming schedule (05:07).

Combat sports lawyer Erik Magraken discusses the resolution of the UFC anti-trust lawsuit, how fighters can get their money, TKO's recent comments about boxing's Ali Act, the tragic situation with Lei Zhenhuan and more (18:16).

Bubba Ray Dudley, WWE Hall of Famer, discusses his role on WWE's new "LFG" series, Jey Uso's decision to challenge Gunther for WrestleMania 41, who should win Elimination Chamber and face Cody Rhodes, the greatest tag teams ever and more (48:34).

KSI discusses his March 29 boxing match against Dillon Danis, the notable opponents who turned him down, Jake Paul's failed pursuit of the Saul "Canelo" Alvarez fight, the profitability of Misfits Boxing and more (01:06:41).

Eric Nicksick discusses Sean Strickland's unsuccessful title rematch against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312, Strickland's poor performance, criticism Strickland has received since the event, the latest on Francis Ngannou and more (02:07:04).

UFC 312 reaction, Zhang Weili, Luke Rockhold, Din Thomas & Rory Karpf in studio Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani reacts to UFC 312, Dricus du Plessis and Zhang Weili's one-sided title defenses against Sean Strickland and Tatiana Suarez, what's next for both, plus more (06:57).

Din Thomas discusses his criticism of Sean Strickland's performance at UFC 312, Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev, how he became the UFC's cageside corner analyst, the lightweight GOAT debate and more in an in-studio appearance (01:34:23).

Rory Karpf and Din Thomas discuss working on UFC's "Dana White Lookin' For A Fight," the release of their new action thriller "Grace Point," and much more in a joint in-studio interview (02:14:00).

Luke Rockhold discusses Sean Strickland's tepid performance against Dricus du Plessis, his past gym run-in with Strickland, whether Strickland had staph infection, getting traded in GFL to pave the way for a Chris Weidman rematch, and more (02:44:54).

Zhang Weili discusses her UFC strawweight title defense over Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312, why she asked to fight Suarez, a potential superfight with Valentina Shevchenko next, acting in her first big movie, her relationship with Joanna Jedrzejczyk and more (03:15:13).

UFC 312 Post-Fight Show: Dricus du Plessis dominates, Zhang Weili proves P4P status Feb 09, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani joins the Boys in the Back on the UFC 312 Post-Fight Show to react to Dricus du Plessis' domination of Sean Strickland in their rematch (01:45) and the champion's future appointment with Khamzat Chimaev (13:00).

Next, they move on to the spectacular performance of Zhang Weili against Tatiana Suarez in the night's co-main event (18:08), before recapping the rest of the card (27:38).

Ariel Helwani on Jake Paul/Canelo fallout, UFC 312 preview, Dom Cruz retires | The Craic Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani joins The Craic to give insight on Canelo Alvarez signing with Riyadh Season, his bout with Jake Paul not coming to fruition and the emerging rivalry between MVP and Turki Alalshikh (00:16).

Uncrowned’s Shaheen Al-Shatti and Ben Fowlkes then give their takes on all the developments described by Helwani (20:09), before the conversation turns to UFC 312 (31:33).

The lads ponder whether Sean Strickland’s staph infection (49:51) will take a toll on him during his rematch with champion Dricus Du Plessis and discuss Tatiana Suarez finally getting her opportunity to fight for a title against Zhang Weili (51:52).

After, the trio give their picks on the main event and co-main event of UFC 312 (1:01:50) before the conversation turns to the retirement of legendary bantamweight, Dominick Cruz (01:06:04).

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