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The Ariel Helwani Show

Latest episodes

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Feb 21, 2025 • 1h 16min

Paddy Pimblett’s moment of truth, changing of the guard at 170 , Ilia Topuria big enough for 155? | The Craic

Petesy Carroll and Chuck Mindenhall are joined by Drake Riggs, who is on site in Seattle for Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong, to discuss a crazy week of news in the combat sports world.First, they look at Ilia Topuria vacating the featherweight title, leading to Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes competing for gold in the UFC 314 main event (06:12), before the conversation switches to Paddy Pimblett’s biggest fight to date against Michael Chandler (22:16).The discussion turns to the welterweight shake-up that saw Jack Della Maddalena granted a title shot against champion Belal Muhammad (40:32), with Sean Brady stepping in to replace JDM against Leon Edwards in London.Reacting to yesterday’s episode of The Boys in the Back, the lads consider NewYorkRic’s comment on the obvious size difference that will exist between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria should their clash happen (48:51).Finally, Riggs gives insight on the biggest storylines from Seattle (1:00:00) before Mindenhall discusses whether the short notice replacements have affected Saturday’s boxing blockbuster from Riyadh (1:07:00).Join us on the bike: avironactive.com/uncrowned
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Feb 20, 2025 • 3h 6min

Reaction to major UFC announcements , Ariel Helwani joins The Boys in the Back for a breaking news bonanza

The Boys in the Back are joined by Ariel Helwani to recap a massive night of UFC news (01:46), including including Ilia Topuria vacating his title, the UFC 314 and UFC 315 main events, and more.Then, they address recent social media posts by Johnny Eblen and the trend of disgruntled PFL fighters (01:01:35).Next, they preview Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 (01:07:55) and UFC Seattle (01:27:03), before Ariel rejoins to break news of Bryce Mitchell's next move, a grappling match against Israel's Ilay Barzilay at Karate Combat 53 (01:41:16).The breaking news continues, as plans for Deiveson Figueiredo and Cory Sandhagen to headline a UFC Fight Night in Des Moines, Iowa are revealed (02:12:08).The Parlay Pals give their picks (02:19:43) and debut a brand new Fight Feasts celebrating some Seattle staples (02:26:40).Finally, The Boys deliver their P4P rankings of fantasy fight card locations (02:44:18) and answer your questions (02:59:11).
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Feb 20, 2025 • 12min

BREAKING: Ilia Topuria Vacates Title, UFC 314 & 315 Blockbuster Main Events Set, New London Headliner!

Ariel Helwani reacts to breaking news from UFC president Dana White on Wednesday night: Ilia Topuria has vacated the UFC featherweight title, making way for Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes to battle for the belt at UFC 314 in Miami (00:41).Ariel reveals rumblings of Topuria potentially facing UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (01:23), before breaking down the rest of UFC 314, including Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett (02:57) and Patricio Pitbull's UFC debut coming against Yair Rodriguez (03:27).But that's not all, London will be getting Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady (05:02) due to Jack Della Maddalena sliding into the UFC 315 main event against UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad (05:57).
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Feb 19, 2025 • 3h 32min

Muhammad Mokaev, Caio Borralho, Jonathan Haggerty, On The Nose

Muhammad Mokaev kicks off the show by discussing his road since exiting the UFC, his recent run-in with Dana White, whether the relationship is repairable, his salary in Brave FC and more (05:34).ONE bantamweight kickboxing champion and former two-division Muay Thai champion Jonathan Haggerty previews his Thursday title defense against Wei Rui and discusses his future goals in MMA (38:46).Caio Borralho discusses the state of the UFC middleweight division, his continued surprise at Dricus du Plessis, training with Alex Pereira and Khamzat Chimaev, teaching math, plus more (01:03:32).Ariel Helwani answers all your latest On The Nose questions about  Aaron Pico's free agency, the crew's recommendations, relationship advice, hockey fights, the latest in the composting saga, wild hypotheticals and much more (01:50:29).
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Feb 19, 2025 • 1h 24min

Breaking News: Riyadh supercard takes a hit, Usyk vs Pereira a real thing? | Ariel x Ade, episode 13

It's a massive fight week on Ariel x Ade and Mr. Oladipo joins live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The show begins by looking back at big wins by Keyshawn Davis (03:14) and Arnold Barboza Jr. (10:13) and recapping the grand arrivals for Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 (12:23).Ade sits down for conversations with Joseph Parker (19:30) and Daniel Dubois (36:12) before the duo discusses Oleksandr Usyk saying he plans to fight the winner, as well as UFC champion Alex Pereira (42:14).They react to breaking news of Floyd Schofield withdrawing from his fight against Shakur Stevenson (45:28) and speculate on who Stevenson could potentially fight on short notice (46:15).Ade's interviews with Dmitry Bivol (52:10) and Artur Beterbiev (58:49) are followed by predictions for the card (01:05:07).Next, some news and notes, including the booking of Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron 2 (01:12:38), Teofimo Lopez headlining a card from Alcatraz prison (01:13:58), and Ryan Garcia fighting Rolly Romero in Times Square (01:16:36).Finally, the show closes with Keyshawn Davis' stoppage win as the Parting Shot (01:18:26).
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Feb 18, 2025 • 2h 39min

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

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).
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Feb 17, 2025 • 3h 55min

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

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).
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Feb 14, 2025 • 1h 2min

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

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
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Feb 13, 2025 • 1h 57min

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

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).
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Feb 12, 2025 • 3h 50min

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

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).

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