Host Brandon Contes interviews MMA reporter Ariel Helwani. Brandon and Ariel discuss a wide range of topics including discovering mixed martial arts and going to school to cover the sport, Dana White running the UFC, Joe Rogan as a UFC commentator, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-:45: Confidence level on the New York Knicks
-4:05: Why be a fan of the Knicks instead of the Bulls in the 90s?
-5:54: MMA fandom
-9:20: Famous classmates at Syracuse
-11:15: MMA as a stepping stone?
-12:55: MMA 20 years from now?
-15:05: Covering UFC for Fox and ESPN
-18:29: Benefits to working with a big company rather than being independent?
-20:32: Anticipating roadblocks at ESPN?
-22:32: Leaving ESPN
-24:24: Why is ESPN deal with UFC important?
-26:30: UFC recognizing the value ESPN is bringing
-27:36: Why did Ariel’s relationship with Dana White sour?
-32:53: Does Ariel miss going to events?
-34:58: How is Ariel perceived by UFC fans?
-37:35: Did ESPN attempt to foster a conversation between Ariel and Dana?
-39:45: Dana White, UFC, and the media
-41:54: Does Ariel think that White thinks Ariel is good or bad for MMA?
-44:19: Sean Strickland’s response to Alexander Lee’s question about Strickland’s previous anti-LGBTQ posts
-47:32: White’s “freedom of speech” mandate for the UFC
-50:20: ESPN’s lack of response to Strickland compared to network going after other athletes for controversial things they said
-55:10: What is Dana White’s best quality?
-57:30: Relationship with Joe Rogan
-1:00:46: Kids being fans of UFC
-1:02:14: Covering boxing in Saudi Arabia
-1:06:01: Biggest thing Ariel does to be a great interviewer

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