The Ringer MMA Show

Latest Episodes:

UFC 296 Reaction! Leon Edwards Provides the Light in a Dark Time for MMA, Paddy Pimblett’s Perfect Week, and What Does Colby Covington Do Now? Dec 17, 2023

Show notes

In one of the darker weeks in recent memory for MMA, shining stars Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, and Chuck Mindenhall offer immediate analysis of the final UFC pay-per-view event of the year and all of the other wackiness that’s happened this week. In this UFC 296 reaction episode, the guys get into:

Why Leon Edwards’s win over Colby Covington is great for MMA (00:00)
Covington’s pitiful performance in a fight he didn’t deserve (20:28)
Who 3PAC thinks Edwards should face in his next title defense (26:47)
A slew of great fights announced for UFC 299, including the UFC debut of Michael Venom Page (32:44)
How “The Conor McGregor Effect” is poisoning MMA fighters (43:46)
Why Paddy Pimblett had the perfect week (48:27)
Whether now is the time for legend Tony Ferguson to retire (54:14)
Shavkat Rakhmonov’s suffocation of Stephen Thompson (59:25)
Alexandre Pantoja’s inspiring performance against Brandon Royval (01:04:29)
The UFC 296 brawl in the stands between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis (01:08:46)
A NASTY knockout of Bryce Mitchell by Josh Emmett (01:13:44)
An update on Ian Garry’s health (01:18:16)

Hosts: Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, and Chuck Mindenhall

Producer: Troy Farkas

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UFC 296 Preview: Colby Covington’s Last Chance, How Ian Garry Can Win the Fans Back, and Will Paddy Pimblett End Tony Ferguson’s Career? Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

To celebrate a LOADED UFC 296 card, Chuck, Petesy, and TST give you a full preview of what could turn out to be the best card of 2023. The guys discuss:

Whether Leon Edwards can end Colby Covington’s career on Saturday night (00:00)
Why no one cares about the flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval (20:10)
A logjam atop the welterweight division and who deserves the next title shot (26:04)
How star prospect Ian Garry can win back the public (29:26)
Shavkat Rakhmonov’s sky-high potential (45:05)
Whether Tony Ferguson will call it quits after his fight with Paddy Pimblett (55:05)
UFC 296 main card predictions (59:37)
Discord questions (01:05:12)

We’ll talk to you during the fights Saturday night in our official Discord. Click here to join.

Hosts: Petesy Carroll, and Chuck Mindenhall

Producer: Troy Farkas

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What's Going On With Ian Garry? Plus, Mike Perry’s BKFC Superstardom, and UFC’s Class Action Lawsuit Takes a Twist. Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

On the first day of Hanukkah, Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, and Chuck Mindenhall gift you with another entertaining episode of the program. Today, each member of 3PAC leads a discussion on their favorite story from the past week. Then, the guys take Discord questions, one of which leads to a trip down Spotify Live memory lane.

To support the show, please follow us on our exclusive Spotify feed.

TOPICS:

Intro (00:00)
How Ian Garry messed up his reputation overnight (05:27)
How Garry should conduct himself during the buildup to UFC 296 (18:03)
What we’ve learned about the UFC's sketchy business practices this week (23:00)
Amazon’s entry into the combat sports world (35:39)
Mike Perry’s emergence in BKFC and what should happen next for him (38:00)
How the guys feel about watching BKFC (44:57)
Discord questions (53:08)

Hosts: Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, and Chuck Mindenhall

Producer: Troy Farkas

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Dustin Poirier Looms Over UFC Austin, Non-Champions to Watch in 2024, and Kevin Holland vs. MVP? Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

As UFC Austin approaches, what are the stakes of the main event between Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan? Ariel, Chuck, and Petesy discuss that sneaky-good card, plus a banger BKFC main event between Mike Perry and Eddie Alvarez. The guys also talk about rumors of Kevin Holland taking on Michael Venom Page in MVP’s UFC debut, contenders and prospects to watch out for next year, Conor McGregor getting himself into very hot water in Ireland, some poor word choices by Tom Aspinall, and more.

TOPICS:

Intro (00:00)
The stakes at UFC Austin (02:39)
Saturday’s BKFC event in Salt Lake City (14:06)
If Kevin Holland is the proper first UFC opponent for MVP (23:05)
Which non-champions we’re buying stock in for 2024 (34:33)
Petesy’s take on Conor McGregor’s latest controversy (50:05)
Tom Aspinall’s comments on the state of boxing (01:03:30)
Discord questions on PFL's format, double champs, and MMA journalism (01:11:10)

Big thank you to everyone who has shared their Spotify Wrapped with us! Keep ‘em coming on Instagram and X.

Hosts: Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall

Producer: Troy Farkas

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PFL Acquires Bellator! How PFL Can Deliver on Its MASSIVE Promises, and Why the UFC Hopes PFL Can Become a “Co-Leader" Nov 22, 2023

Show notes

For years now, the greatest minds in MMA have put their heads together to try and figure out how to topple the UFC. Yesterday, Donn Davis became the latest in a long line of innovators when he announced that PFL, which he founded in 2018, has acquired Bellator and its deep roster of 210 fighters so PFL can position itself as the clear no. 2 promotion and pave the way for PFL to eventually become a “co-leader” in MMA. To react to this massive news, MMA business experts Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, and Chuck Mindenhall are here to lay out the terms of the deal, clear up the gray area, ask more questions, contemplate the positives and negatives of this move, and so much more.

TOPICS:

Intro (00:00)
The terms of the Bellator acquisition (04:08)
Instant reactions to the news (08:03)
Potential shortcomings of the deal (15:24)
Whether we should believe in Donn Davis and his mission (24:12)
Why UFC is likely happy about this deal (42:50)
Discord questions on the deal (47:52)
How each member of 3PAC discovered MMA (01:04:00)
What we’re grateful for this Thanksgiving (01:10:26)

Hosts: Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, and Chuck Mindenhall

Producer: Troy Farkas

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The Death of Bellator, Tom Aspinall’s P4P Rankings Debut, and Why Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou Might Still Happen! Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

Still buzzing from last weekend’s UFC 295, Ariel, Chuck, and Petesy have a lot to get into on today’s show. First, the guys discuss this weekend’s final Bellator card and why the energy (or lack thereof) surrounding Bellator 301 is symbolic of the promotion’s entire existence. Then, the guys break down their latest pound-for-pound rankings before taking Discord questions about Alex Pereira’s legendary run, Ian Garry’s beef with Team Renegade, how the Saudis could convince Dana White to make the fight of the century, and more. Plus, a classic game of Buy or Sell.

To enter into our lovely Discord community, click this link.

TOPICS:

Intro (00:00)
The end of Bellator (03:07)
Why Bellator doesn’t invoke the same nostalgia Strikeforce does (08:49)
Saturday’s Paul Craig vs. Brendan Allen card at The Apex (21:02)
Ariel’s conundrum with getting Tom Aspinall into his November pound-for-pound rankings (24:19)
UFC fighters we feel most emotionally connected to (37:38)
How the Saudis could get Dana White to make Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou (57:30)
Buy or Sell (01:05:09)

Hosts: Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, and Chuck Mindenhall

Producer: Troy Farkas

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UFC 295 Reaction! Alex Pereira (Controversially) Finishes Jiří Procházka in Historic Win. Plus, Tom Aspinall Destroys the UFCs Most Terrifying Man! Nov 12, 2023

Show notes

After watching titans clash in New York City at UFC 295, Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall, and TST break down another spectacular Madison Square Garden card. On this episode, the guys discuss Alex Pereira’s perfect game plan for Jiří Procházka, some controversy surrounding the end of the fight, Pereira’s incredible MMA success in such a short time, and who should line up against Pereira in his first light heavyweight title defense. Then, the guys gush over Tom Aspinall’s knockout of Sergei Pavlovich and the strange heavyweight title picture Aspinall now finds himself in. The lads also talk other top stories from the card and TST reports on the ground from MSG.

TOPICS:

Intro (00:00)
Whether the referee stopped the main event too early (05:02)
UFC 295 main event breakdown (10:38)
Alex Pereira’s callout of Israel Adesanya (13:18)
Tom Aspinall’s emotional win over Sergei Pavlovich (29:24)
Petesy’s pitch for a U.K. stadium show (32:35)
The chances that Aspinall will fight someone not named Jon Jones next (36:35)
Mackenzie Dern’s questionable strategy against Jessica Andrade (47:55)
The emergences of Benoit Saint-Denis and Diego Lopes (53:34)
TST's observations from the press ledge at MSG (01:05:10)
Discord questions (01:08:32)

Hosts: Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall

Producer: Troy Farkas

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UFC 295 Preview: Alex Pereira’s Unlikely Journey, and Tom Aspinall’s Childhood Dream Comes True. Plus, Petesy’s Inside Scoop on Conor McGregor’s Return! Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

Yesterday, UFC CEO Dana White announced three new title fights, and the news has Ariel Helwani, Chuck Mindenhall, Petesy Carroll, and TST buzzing for the first quarter of 2024. Then, the guys speculate on UFC 300 and Petesy gives the inside scoop on his best mate Conor McGregor before the lads break down Saturday’s UFC 295. Plus, the guys take some detours to talk about airport pound-for-pound rankings, nudist beaches, darkness retreats, and more.

TOPICS:

Dana White’s trio of title fight announcements (00:00)
Whether Dricus Du Plessis, Ilia Topuria, or Marlon Vera has the best chance at pulling off an upset (12:00)
Who could headline UFC 300 (18:00)
What Petesy is hearing from Team Conor McGregor about his readiness to fight (20:00)
UFC 295 preview (26:51)
Alex Pereira’s unthinkable journey to Saturday night (31:40)
A touching story Petesy shares about Tom Aspinall and what this title fight means to him and his family (44:42)
The latest in the antitrust case involving the UFC (01:03:15)
Discord questions (01:06:47)

Hosts: Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, and Chuck Mindenhall

Producer: Troy Farkas

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Francis Ngannou Has Two Options for His Next Opponent. Plus, UFC São Paulo Preview, and Ian Garry Gets Kicked Out of Leon Edwards’s Gym! Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

To start today’s episode, Chuck Mindenhall takes the mic to tell Ariel Helwani and Petesy Carroll about his spooky Halloween run-in with two former UFC champions. Then, the guys discuss Saturday’s main event between fan favorite Derrick Lewis and heavyweight prospect Jailton Almeida, possible opponents for Paul Felder in his UFC return, and the beef between UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards and the Irish nomad Ian Machado Garry. Plus, they outline the options for Francis Ngannou's next move.

TOPICS:

Intro (00:00)
Chuck’s Halloween story (02:58)
UFC São Paulo and why Derrick Lewis took Saturday’s fight with Jailton Almeida (10:22)
Lewis’s reckless driving arrest (15:28)
Who has the highest ceiling: Almeida, Sergei Pavlovich, or Tom Aspinall? (17:22)
Why Paddy Pimblett is the perfect opponent for Paul Felder (25:02)
Issues at Team Renegade involving Leon Edwards and Ian Machado Garry (30:29)
Francis Ngannou’s next step (39:25)
Discord questions (45:40)

Hosts: Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, and Chuck Mindenhall

Producer: Troy Farkas

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(INSTANT REACTION) Francis Ngannou Is the BADDEST MAN on the Planet! How Boxing’s New Cash Cow Stunned Tyson Fury and Embarrassed the UFC Oct 29, 2023

Show notes

Francis Ngannou — the king of defying the odds, betting on himself, and doing the unthinkable — has done it again. After losing a razor-thin decision to boxing's lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia, the former UFC heavyweight champion is now holding all of the poker chips that the UFC brass wishes they could. To react to this madness, Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, and Chuck Mindenhall discuss shocking performances from both Ngannou and Fury, how Ngannou (finally) secured a win for MMA in the boxing world, why the world is now Ngannou’s oyster, interest in a rematch, and more.

TOPICS:

Intro (00:00)
Instant reaction (02:45)
Why Ngannou is now a massive draw in boxing (13:20)
How Dana White likely feels about all this (18:35)
The star-studded cast of characters welcomed to Riyadh by His Excellency (18:35)
What we want next for Ngannou (27:49)
Fury’s immediate reaction to the fight (36:11)
How this night will affect Ngannou’s PFL deal (41:52)
Discord questions (47:16)

Hosts: Ariel Helwani, Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall

Producer: Troy Farkas

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