Show notes
Ariel Helwani kicks off the show by recapping the weekend and running down today’s lineup.
Israel Adesanya’s longtime manager Ash Belcastro around (14:19) joins us in-studio to discuss Adesanya’s upcoming documentary, the process of getting footage from the UFC, why he doesn’t chase the spotlight, how he first met Adesanya, the success of the City Kickboxing team, the first moment he realized Adesanya was special, his lone fight, Mark Zuckerberg wearing his company’s gear, questionable judging in MMA, the show/win pay structure, gunning for Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 in 2023, the UFC booking Dricus Du Plessis against Robert Whittaker, Jon Jones, the Prime sponsorship, Brad Riddell’s future, and more.
Israel Adesanya’s joins us in-studio around (1:03:44) to discuss the premiere of his documentary, the process of filming, his experience kickboxing in China, getting arrested after his loss to Alex Pereira, Kai Kara-France’s controversial loss, holding MMA judges accountable, open scoring, the Pereira rematch, what he was thinking during the knockout, proving to himself that he can beat Pereira, going to dark places for that fight, his infamous post-fight celebration, Henry Cejudo’s criticism, partying with Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz, trying to make a fight against Dricus Du Plessis happen, DDP vs. Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, whether a Pereira trilogy happens, meeting Tyson Fury, WWE, and more.
Aiemann Zahabi around (2:06:00) discusses his 64-second knockout of Aoriqileng at UFC 289, his career turnaround after a rough start to his UFC journey, being his own worst critic, his brother Firas’ thoughts on the fight, Canada’s perfect night, Georges St-Pierre’s cornering, whether Firas is harder on him than others on the team, the four brothers of the Zahabi family, what’s next, whether he’s getting a watch from Drake, and more.
Julianna Peña around (2:27:29) discusses the Parlay Boys controversy, why she didn’t fight at UFC 289, how she injured her rib, how she made a mistake handling the news, why Irene Aldana never stood a chance against Amanda Nunes, Nunes’ decision to retire, wanting to storm the cage, why it’s day one of the “Peña Power Era,” how it’s her job to make sure everyone forgets Nunes ever existed, why Nunes took the coward’s way out, her airport run-in with Nunes after the event, fighting for the vacant belt next, the future of the featherweight division, why that’s a fake belt, and more.
Jasmine Jasudavicius around (2:55:44) discusses her upset win over Miranda Maverick at UFC 289, Canada’s perfect night, Maverick’s vision problems during the fight, the arena railing collapsing during Mike Malott’s walkout, what’s next, what makes her mad, why Maycee Barber or Casey O’Neill are on her radar, and more.
Ariel Helwani and the Parlay Boys around (3:57:57) react to UFC 289, their night out at Israel Adesanya’s documentary premiere, Irene Aldana’s performance against Amanda Nunes, whether there’s anything left for Nunes in MMA, Charles Oliveira’s evolution to stardom, the ceiling for an English-speaking Oliveira, Makhachev vs. Oliveira 2, the UFC’s booking of the middleweight division, Saturday’s poutine controversy, Floyd Mayweather’s bizarre scene with John Gotti III, Conor McGregor’s viral mascot punch, and more.
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