The Ariel Helwani Show

The Boys are back from vacation and jump into news and notes, including Bo Nickal getting booked against Rodolfo Vieira (01:50), Kayla Harrison's visit to the White House (04:25), and Anderson Silva's reported payout from the UFC antitrust lawsuit (11:06). Next, they preview UFC Paris from top to bottom (15:41), before making their picks (59:45) and debuting a brand new Fight Feasts focused on Fre...

After quickly hitting some news and notes, Ariel Helwani is joined by Chael Sonnen to discuss his busy weekend with Real American Freestyle and CJI 2, the response to his initial comments on Raja Jackson, and his surprising prediction for the White House card main event (11:21). Deontay Wilder recaps his win over Tyrrell Herndon, before talking about feeling rejuvenated and wanting to fight until...

Ariel Helwani and the crew are back from vacation, so they start with a catch-up on all the things they missed, including reactions to Raja Jackson's situation, UFC 322 being announced, the combat sports weekend — Misfits, Real American Freestyle, and CJI events, Jake Paul vs. Gervonta 'Tank' Davis, UFC Shanghai, and more (15:50). Charles Johnson joins to discuss his big win in Shanghai, give a pr...

On a special Thursday edition of The Craic, Petesy Carroll tackles the week’s biggest stories alongside Chuck Mindenhall and Ben Fowlkes. They kick things off by debating whether Khamzat Chimaev’s recent middleweight title victory over Dricus Du Plessis has fueled the perception that he’s becoming a boring fighter (2:15). Alongside Khamzat Chimaev in the main event, UFC 319 was also set to feature...

The Boys in the Back kick off the show by reacting to breaking news that Jake Paul will be fighting Gervonta 'Tank' Davis in November (02:18). Sparked by Dana White announcing Reinier de Ridder vs. Anthony Hernandez for October, the Boys discuss who Khamzat Chimaev will face in his first title defense (10:04). After previewing UFC Shanghai (26:56), we get the official announcement for Paul vs. Dav...

Ariel Helwani is flying solo for this episode of Ariel x Ade, but he’s bringing three guests with him. First, trainer Ben Davison joins to discuss Moses Itauma’s first-round stoppage against Dillian Whyte, Itauma’s seemingly limitless potential, who the phenom might fight next, whether it’s too soon for the Oleksandr Usyk fight, and he gives an update on Anthony Joshua’s status (02:59). Next, Dan...

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show with Lerone Murphy, who talks about his highlight-reel knockout of Aaron Pico at UFC 319, practicing the spinning elbow, champion Alexander Volkanovski’s callout for December, his weight cut, and more (07:53). Dillon Danis is back in studio with Ariel to discuss a variety of topics, including his upcoming Misfits fight, why he’s not facing Tony Ferguson, believing...

Ariel Helwani opens the show with a full recap of UFC 319, including a response to the chatter of Khamzat Chimaev being “boring” (02:28). Paulo Costa joins Ariel in-studio to react to Chimaev’s victory, talk about the UFC’s decision not to have him front row in Chicago, his game plan for a potential Chimaev fight, their past run-ins, making his acting debut, and his faith (1:01:00). Then, Paulo du...

Ariel Helwani is joined by Petesy Carroll for their immediate reactions to UFC 319, starting with Khamzat Chimaev dominating Dricus Du Plessis to become UFC middleweight champion (01:24). After breaking down the fight, they wonder who Chimaev could face next, including reactions to a real-time callout by Sean Strickland (13:01). Helwani quickly recaps the rest of the card (23:37), before returning...

With UFC 319 right around the corner, Petesy Carroll joins forces with Ben Fowlkes to break down the card’s biggest talking points. After reacting to the weigh-in results (7:23), they dive straight into the main event. Is this Khamzat Chimaev’s coronation, or are fans once again underestimating Dricus Du Plessis? The boys tackle it all (11:03). UFC 319’s co-main event, Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico...

The Boys in the Back are here to preview UFC 319, including a full breakdown of the can't-miss championship fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev (3:50). After previewing the rest of the card (41:15), the Boys briefly look ahead to the latest PFL championship fights (1:22:34) and make picks for the weekend (1:25:56). Next, they debut a brand new Fight Feasts, focused on food from the...

Ariel Helwani opens the show by reacting to PFL announcing the rematch between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes (04:52) and recent comments by Dana White about how fighters will benefit from UFC’s new rights deal (19:57), before answering your On The Nose questions (34:58). Karrion Kross joins Ariel in studio to discuss his new best-selling book and address the conversation around his unexpected...

Ariel Helwani and Ade Oladpio, joining from Riyadh, kick off the show with a discussion about Moses Itauma vs. Dillian Whyte (00:45), including Whyte confronting Ade about his prediction for the fight during their roundtable (01:11). Ade’s full sitdown with Whyte (08:28) is followed by quick reaction and then his chat with Itauma (24:24) and brief reflection on that conversation. They also discuss...

Ariel Helwani starts the show with further analysis of the UFC’s new rights deal, focusing on Dana White’s comments that fighters will benefit from the deal and a comparison between Paramount and ESPN’s distribution platforms (01:52). Carlos Prates joins ahead of his UFC 319 fight against Geoff Neal and talks about lessons learned from the Ian Machado Garry loss, his current smoking habits, the su...

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show by reacting to UFC's massive seven-year $7.7 billion rights deal with Paramount, before the Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll jump in to continue the discussion (05:30). Elijah Smith, fresh off his frightening KO against Toshiomi Kazama, joins the show to talk about the highlight reel slam, learning from his father, former UFC fighter Gilbert Smith, getting his s...

The Craic is back! Petesy Carroll is joined by Craic regulars Chuck Mindenhall and Ben Fowlkes to break down the week’s biggest headlines. First up, Charles Oliveira’s return against Rafael Fiziev. The crew debates whether it’s too quick a turnaround for Oliveira after his KO loss to Ilia Topuria just three months ago (6:12). One fight fast approaching is Driccus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev. Wi...

The Boys in the Back kick off the show by reacting to breaking news that Charles Oliveira will return to action against Rafael Fiziev in October (1:22). Then, they launch into a deep dive on recent comments made by both Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus du Plessis ahead of their UFC 319 fight (09:30), including Khamzat's call to capture three UFC belts, Dricus being the division's boogeyman, and more. Ne...

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show by reacting to news of the five-year deal that will bring WWE's premium live events to ESPN (05:58). UFC star turned actor Keith Jardine joins Ariel in studio to reminisce about his career and discuss his latest film projects, including his major directorial debut "Kill Me Again" (13:50). Next, Ariel and the Boys in the Back answer your On The Nose questions, inclu...

Ariel Helwani and Ade Oladipo begin the show with a reaction to talks of Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua heating up (02:54), with Ade expressing strong reservations. The duo is joined by Skye Nicolson to discuss her drop to 122 pounds, respond to comments by Most Valuable Promotions’ Nakisa Bidarian, talk about targeting a fight against Ellie Scotney and lessons learned from her loss (13:08). Xander...

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show with a quick review of Tapology’s latest update and rankings (03:59). Andy Foster, Executive Director of the California State Athletic Commission, joins to discuss proposed clarifications to the MMA scoring criteria, his feelings on the The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, GFL’s canceled California events, and to review some recent controversial decisions...

Ariel Helwani and the Boys in the Back kick off the show by recapping a busy weekend in combat, including the UFC’s event headlined by Tatsuro Taira, Thad Jean’s big win in the PFL championship, WWE SummerSlam — topped by Brock Lesnar’s shocking return — and more (06:00). Renato "Money" Moicano returns to defend his viral clip about turning down the UFC lawsuit settlement money and further explain...

Petesy and Chuck previously promised to get an authority on the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act - the amendment the entity known as TKO boxing are attempting to have written into law - and they provided it this week as John S. Nash joins the show to give insights on the topic (04:27). The conversation then moved onto Conor McGregor's failed attempt to appeal a civil court finding that he...

The Boys in the Back kick things off with the results of Uncrowned's poker table felt auction benefitting Ben Askren. Next, Petesy Carroll joins to provide an update on Conor McGregor’s sexual assault case appeal (04:50). Then, Ben 'The Bane' Davis comes in studio to help the Boys break down all of UFC Vegas 108 (12:22), headlined by Tatsuro Taira vs. Hyun Sung Park, before hitting Friday’s PFL Wo...

Ariel Helwani and the Boys in the Back kick off the show by answering your On the Nose questions (07:47). Johnny Eblen is the first guest of the day, coming off his title stunner at PFL Africa against Costello van Steenis. He discusses what went wrong in the fight, why the PFL won’t book the rematch, his long layoff and more (43:46). Josh Barnett joins Ariel in-studio to discuss Bill Goldberg’s re...

Ariel Helwani and Ade Oladipo begin the show with a reaction to Claressa Shields’ dominant victory over Lani Daniels (1:41), discussing Shields' star status and debating who she should fight next (06:23), mentioning Laila Ali, Cris Cyborg and Shadasia Green as options. Next, they discuss the current women's pound-for-pound (11:04), before Shields herself joins to discuss Daniels' unusual tactics,...