The Ariel Helwani Show

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Israel Adesanya, Chris Weidman, Dave Feldman, Darren Owen, WWE Royal Rumble lottery Jan 28, 2025

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Chris Weidman discusses his GFL signing, expectations for the new MMA organization, the GFL fights he wants most, how much the promotion is paying fighters and more (06:00).

BKFC founder Dave Feldman discusses the success of KnuckleMania, Ben Rothwell and Jeremy Stephens' free agency, Conor McGregor, whether Mike Perry vs. Robbie Lawler is next and more (32:11).

GFL founder Darren Owen discusses the promotion's inaugural draft, the results leaking early, whether the draft was predetermined, the Rashad Evans situation, pay-per-view and event plans, likely matchups for 2025 and more (01:00:35).

Ariel and The Boys In The Back kick off their annual WWE Royal Rumble lottery (01:28:31).

Israel Adesanya discusses his UFC Saudi Arabia fight with Nassourdine Imavov, his evolving relationship with Alex Pereira, his new connection with Robert Whittaker, why he handled past beefs poorly, dealing with fame and more (02:04:14).

Alex Pereira in studio, Dan Hooker, Jeremy Stephens, Ben Rothwell, full weekend recap, more Jan 27, 2025

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Ariel Helwani reacts to BKFC KnuckleMania 5, Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes and much more from a loaded combat sports weekend (20:35).

Ben Rothwell discusses his BKFC heavyweight title win and reveals he's a combat sports free agent — with sights on some big names next (01:29:42).

Dan Hooker previews his UFC 313 fight against Justin Gaethje and discusses finding out from Gaethje's YouTube channel, his odd UFC 300 experience, Islam Makhachev's win over Renato Moicano and more (02:01:29).

Jeremy Stephens discusses his BKFC KnuckleMania 5 win over Eddie Alvarez, the hostile reception he got from the Philly fans, his road to bare-knuckle success and more in an emotional interview. He also reveals that he, like Ben Rothwell, is now a free agent (02:33:17).

Alex Pereira discusses his UFC 313 title defense against Magomed Ankalaev, his conversations with Jon Jones, his run-in with Jamahal Hill at the UFC Performance Institute, his sister's fighting career and much more in a special in-studio interview (03:04:25).

Tempers flare at PFL weigh-in, Hughes vs. Nurmagomedov, Arman Tsarukyan’s pickle, GFL | The Craic Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Petesy is joined by fellow Irish media members Andy Stevenson and Donagh Corby.

Corby, who is on the scene in Dubai, gave his account of the incident between Irish and Dagestani fans at the PFL’s weigh-in for the fight between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes (3:00).

Stevenson underlined the impact a Hughes win could have on Irish MMA (18:00), before rebuking claims that this is a one-fight card (23:00) and lads gave their picks for the main event (32:00).

The conversation moves to Arman Tsarukyan’s sticky situation with the UFC and whether the lads believe he should lose his title opportunity due to an eleventh hour UFC 311 withdrawal (40:00).

They also discuss the idea of Sean O’Malley meeting Cory Sandhagen instead of the former champion facing Merab Dvalishvili in a rematch (47:00).

Finally, the lads rank what event they’re looking forward the most this weekend between PFL, BKFC and the highly anticipated GFL Draft (51:45).

The Boys in the Back head to Philly for BKFC, Conor McGregor vs. Paul brothers, PFL preview, more Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

The Boys in the Back are heading to Philadelphia for BKFC KnuckleMania V, headlined by Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens.
They break down the card (01:43) and reveal their Philly plans, including a cheesesteak tour, a potential showdown with GC's new rival Sean Brady, and more (20:39)
Next, they react to the new videos of Conor McGregor interacting with the Jake and Logan Paul (29:05).
Petesy Carroll joins to preview the incredible matchup between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes headlining PFL's Road to Dubai Championship Series (49:46).
Finally, The Boys gives their picks (01:09:23) and P4P sandwich rankings (01:20:48) before answering your questions (01:59:39).

Robert Whittaker, Jack Della Maddalena, Sean Brady crashes, Jeremy Stephens, On the Nose Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

Ariel Helwani kicks of the show with a super-sized edition of On The Nose, with topics including a potential superfight between Alexandre Pantoja and Merab Dvalishvili, Dana White saying Arman Tsarukyan won't get the next title shot, Conor McGregor palling around with Jake and Logan Paul, and more (33:38).
Jeremy Stephens joins to preview his BKFC KnuckleMania V main event against Eddie Alvarez and tell some old school stories, including the time Dana White nearly bailed him out of jail on fight night (01:32:44).
NewYorkRic and GC jump on the Aviron bike for the latest chapter in their competition and Sean Brady crashes the show to call next (02:13:48)!

Robert Whittaker is back to talk about his newly-found friendship with Israel Adesanya, break down the middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland, and discuss his recovery after the Khamzat Chimaev fight (03:02:33).

Jack Della Maddalena outlines his own recovery and looks ahead to his UFC London showdown against Leon Edwards (03:34:25).

Join us on the bike: http://avironactive.com/uncrowned

Ariel x Ade, episode 9: a fired up Conor Benn stops by. plus, what’s up with Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney? Canelo-Crawford done? Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

Ariel x Ade kicks off with a reaction to the news of Keith Thurman's planned comeback (07:35).
Then, the duo discusses the fact that Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney will compete on the same card, but not against each other (10:44).
Next, they touch on talks of Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford heating up (20:54), before bringing in Conor Benn to preview his potential showdown against Chris Eubank Jr. (30:25).
Finally, they recap Misfits X Series 20, including Darren Till's win against Anthony Taylor and KSI's short-lived matchup with Wayne Bridge (59:32).

Anthony Smith announces retirement fight, Aljamain Sterling breaks down Merab Dvalishvili's UFC 311 win Jan 21, 2025

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Ariel Helwani and The Boys In The Back discuss the status of Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall and react to the latest combat sports news (05:38).

Anthony Smith announces his retirement fight, tells a powerful story of receiving support from Bryce Mitchell before his most recent bout, reveals he asked the UFC brass to compete in Power Slap and more (31:39).

Aljamain Sterling discusses Merab Dvalishvili's big win over Umar Nurmagomedov, why Merab will be the 135-pound GOAT, a potential fight against Patricio Pitbull, Payton Talbott's first career loss and more (01:35:06).

Merab Dvalishvili, Arman Tsarukyan, Jiří Procházka, Renato Moicano, Josh Barnett in studio, John Wood, UFC 311 reaction Jan 20, 2025

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Ariel Helwani breaks down UFC 311 from all angles, including Islam Makhachev's title win over Renato Moicano and Merab Dvalishvili's remarkable performance against Umar Nurmagomedov (02:52).

Merab Dvalishvili discusses his UFC 311 title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov, why Nurmagomedov wasn't his level, the champ's various injuries, how he tricked the California commission into letting him fight, his relationship with Dana White and more (33:49).

Merab Dvalishvili's coach John Wood discusses nearly pulling the champ out of UFC 311, why the Umar Nurmagomedov fight ended up being "easier than expected," Dvalishvili's game plan and more (01:07:39).

Arman Tsarukyan discusses the back injury that forced his UFC 311 withdrawal, Dana White's comments, potential fights against Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler, plus more (01:33:04).

Josh Barnett breaks down Islam Makhachev's UFC 311 submission and discusses why UFC fighters are stupid, weight cutting in MMA, past experiences with Donald Trump, how he'd fix AEW and more in a wide-ranging in-studio interview (02:00:48).

Renato Moicano discusses his UFC 311 title loss to Islam Makhachev, the whirlwind day that led to the opportunity, how his goals have changed, "spoiled brat" Paddy Pimblett's reaction and more (03:02:36).

Jiří Procházka discusses his UFC 311 win over Jamahal Hill, why he was motivated by Hill's trash talk, sharing a drink with Hill afterward, shaving his hair for fan battling cancer, what it'll take to get a third Alex Pereira fight and more (03:33:40).

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UFC 311 Post-Fight Show: Islam Makhachev and Merab Dvalishvili are unstoppable Jan 19, 2025

Show notes

On the UFC 311 Post-Fight Show, Ariel Helwani joins the Boys in the Back to react to Islam Makhachev's dominant performance against Renato Moicano (06:21).
Next, they discuss the co-main event, which saw Merab Dvalishvili finish strong to hand Umar Nurmagomedov his first career defeat (16:51).
Ariel gives an update on Dana White's comments from the post-fight press conference, including his declaration that Arman Tsarukyan would not be next for Makhachev (25:56).
They touch on Jiri Prochazka's highlight reel knockout of Jamahal Hill (32:40), before recapping the rest of the card (39:35).

Breaking News: Arman Tsarukyan injured, Islam Makhachev vs. Renato Moicano is new main event | The Craic Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

Petesy Carroll is joined by Chuck Mindenhall and Ben Fowlkes for an episode jam-packed with breaking news.
Fowlkes speaks about the mystique surrounding Team Khabib and the Dagestan collective (04:06) after covering them for Uncrowned.
Then, the lads react in real time to the breaking news that Arman Tsarukyan has withdrawn from the UFC 311 main event due to injury (13:46).
Mindenhall gives insights on Merab Dvalishvili after spending time with the bantamweight champion at Syndicate ahead of his clash with Umar Nurmagomedov (27:22).
News of Renato Moicano stepping up to face Islam Makhachev breaks (37:28), before the conversation returns to the co-main event (43:09) and Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill (53:22).
Reports surface about Tsarukyan's injury, leading to Ariel Helwani giving intel on the situation (57:55), before more news breaks, with Chris Weidman announcing his retirement on the UFC's weigh-in show (01:07:26).
Finally, the lads react to Islam Makhachev's social media post regarding the eleventh hour change of opponent (01:11:56).

Join us on the bike: http://avironactive.com/uncrowned

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