The Ariel Helwani Show

Chuck Mindenhall returns to The Craic to discuss a bizarre UFC 309 media day from Jon Jones and to look forward to a blockbuster weekend of combat sports. Petesy and Chuck try to wrap their heads around Jones’s comments on Tom Aspinall, the size difference he cites while also calling for bouts with light-heavyweights Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill and him being complicit in the fight week focus not...

The Boys in the Back kick off the show with Ariel Helwani to discuss the drama surrounding UFC 309 and the mysterious return of the old UFC gloves (2:19). Next, they break down the rest of the card, including a look ahead at what could be next for Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic (38:01). Tom Aspinall? Alex Pereira? Then they debut Fight Feats from New York institution Katz's Deli (01:31:42), followed by...

Ariel Helwani and The Boys In The Back answer your On The Nose questions about Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul, Jon Jones' latest comments, the crew's spirit fighters, the top five MMA regional promotions, Ariel's experience attending the infamous Montreal Screwjob, hot dog preferences, plumbers, and more (12:43). Oban Elliot joins in-studio to discuss his UFC 309 showdown against Bassil Hafez, linking u...

Ariel Helwani and The Boys In The Back break down a big combat sports weekend that saw Carlos Prates, Jaron "Boots" Ennis, and Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez pick up wins, plus more (04:28). Eddie Hearn discusses Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul, his distaste for the fight, Jaron "Boots" Ennis' lackluster win over Karen Chukhadzhian, whether a Terence Crawford fight will actually happen, the potential impact of Ne...

Petesy Carroll is joined by Shaheen Al Shatti and Chuck Mindenhall to discuss Jon Jones’ comments on Tom Aspinall not proving enough to be granted a title shot (0:00),  the future of the UFC Apex on the eve of it’s (alleged) 100th event (40:22), and the fear they have for Mike Tyson next week (57:06).

The Boys in the Back, Eric Jackman (NewYorkRic) and Conner Burks (GC), are on the road to UFC Apex 100, so they're reminiscing about some of the best moments at the illustrious venue (01:54). Then, Mysterious Frank joins The Boys make parlay picks  (52:16) give their P4P rankings of apex predators (01:00:53), and answer your questions (01:26:56).

Ariel Helwani and The Boys In The Back break down the UFC's future with Dana White's close ties to incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, the latest in Conor McGregor's sexual assault case, UFC Vegas 100, and more (04:24). Katie Taylor discusses rematching Amanda Serrano on the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul card, criticism of the Tyson vs. Paul fight, concern for Tyson, landing on a U.S. stadium show be...

Ariel Helwani and The Boys In The Back discuss how they're feeling about Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul as the big fight looms (15:21).   Andy Foster, executive director of the California State Athletic Commission, discusses his concerns for Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul, the new changes to the Unified Rules of MMA, the impetuous for the changes, whether Jon Jones' only career loss should now be overturned,...

Ariel Helwani and The Boys In The Back break down the state of the UFC welterweight division following Belal Muhammad's injury withdrawal from his UFC 310 title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov (09:36). Shavkat Rakhmonov discusses Belal Muhammad dropping out of their scheduled UFC 310 title fight, how he found out about the news, what happens next, the option of fighting for an interim title, Ian...

On the latest episode of The Craic, Petesy is joined by Uncrowned’s Chuck Mindenhall to discuss the cultural resonance of The Rumble in the Jungle on its 50th anniversary (05:42).   Legendary father and son duo Richard and Jack Shore join the show from Edmonton ahead of Jack’s bout with Youssef Zalal (40:45). 

The Boys in the Back are live for a special Halloween edition, but first Ariel Helwani joins the show to give an update on the breaking news that Belal Muhammad is out of UFC 310 and what that means for the main event (04:27). Then, Eric Jackman (NewYorkRic) and Conner Burks (GC) preview UFC Edmonton (35:22) before bringing in The Craic's Petesy Carroll to dive deeper on the card (51:57). Finally,...

Kade Ruotolo discusses his upcoming ONE Championship fight against Ahmed Mujtaba, the experience of winning CJI, whether he'll do CJI again, his injury woes, advice for Michael Page ahead of his first big-time grappling match, the Olympics, and more (07:50). Ariel Helwani and The Boys In The Back answer all your On The Nose questions about the road for Max Holloway after UFC 308, whether Khamzat C...

Brian Sutterer MD, YouTube physician extraordinaire, breaks down Robert Whittaker's grisly jaw injury, Myktybek Orolbai gnarly eye, plus much more from the wreckage of UFC 308 in a fascinating medical deep dive (05:36). Marlon "Chito" Vera discusses wrestling training with Arman Tsarukyan, changes he's making after back-to-back losses, why he wasn't impressed by the Las Vegas Sphere, comparisons b...

Ariel Helwani and The Boys In The Back react to UFC 308, whether Ilia Topuria has a case for Fighter of the Year after his knockout of Max Holloway, Khamzat Chimaev's pursuit of the title after his demolition of Robert Whittaker, and more (18:15). Lerone Murphy discusses his UFC 308 win over Dan Ige, sticking with his "The Miracle" nickname, challenges in the lead-up to Saturday, Ilia Topuria's kn...

On the the UFC 308 Post-Show, Ariel Helwani gives his immediate reaction to Ilia Topuria star-making performance against Max Holloway, including the knockout itself, Topuria's next fight and Conor McGregor's social media responses (53:22). Then, he covers Khamzat Chimaev's return to his dominant ways, finishing Robert Whittaker and setting up a potential title opportunity (21:21). Finally, Helwani...

Denis Geiko from Russian-focused MMA publication, Red Corner, returns to The Craic to talk Khamzat Chimaev opening up on depression, Islam Makhachev possibly facing the winner of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway and the Russian contingent at UFC 308 (06:45). Lerone Murphy also joins the show to preview the biggest test of his career against Dan Ige and dive deeper on his nickname 'The Miracle' (40:08...

On the second episode of The Boys in the Back, Eric Jackman (NewYorkRic) and Conner Burks (GC) react to recent comments by PFL's Donn Davis and then deep dive on the UFC 308 main event between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway (02:12). Executive Producer Ariel Helwani crashes the show (again) to give a scorching hot take/prediction (43:32). Next, the Boys break down the UFC 308 co-main event and Khamz...

Ariel Helwani and The Boys in the Back kick things off by answering your On the Nose questions about UFC 308, Khamzat Chimaev's bizarre UFC journey, Donn Davis' most outlandish claims, what it's like to cover fighters you intimately know, Uncrowned's next live show, go-to karaoke songs, and much more (15:58). Uncrowned's Chuck Mindenhall and Shaheen Al-Shatti join Ariel to preview all things UFC 3...

Ariel and the Boys in the Back kick off the show by diving into the craziness kicked up by Craig Jones in the great Brendan Schaub vs. Nate Diaz debate (10:42). Aleksandar Rakic discusses his UFC 308 fight against Magomed Ankalaev, what went wrong with his past two bouts, Khalil Rountree's recent title challenge against Alex Pereira, whether a title shot is on the line against Ankalaev, and more (...

Ariel Helwani and The Boys in the Back kick off the show by looking back at the busy weekend in combat, headlined by Francis Ngannou's big win (09:26). Francis Ngannou discusses his thunderous PFL debut against Renan Ferreira, his emotional reaction to the experience, fears and nerves beforehand, his locker room conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo, the decision to wrestle Ferreira, whether it was...

It's a 3PAC reunion on the Helwanivision Post Show. Ariel Helwani is joined by Petesy Carroll and Chuck Mindenhall to give their immediate reactions to the PFL Battle of the Giants PPV.   The boys talk Francis Ngannou's emotional win (08:31), whether he's truly the Baddest Man on the Planet, what's next for the lineal heavyweight champion, snd whether the UFC would co-promote with PFL to book Ngan...

U.K. MMA legend and head of talent operations for PFL, Dan Hardy (04:19), joins the video debut of The Craic to give insight on Francis Ngannou and all things PFL: Battle of the Giants.   Paul Hughes (33:39) also joins the show ahead of the biggest test of his life when he meets A.J. McKee in the opening fight of the main card. 

Alex Pereira stops by The Ariel Helwani Show for a special Thursday bonus episode (04:21)! The UFC star and savior of 2024 joins Ariel Helwani to talk the status of a heavyweight move, Jamahal Hill's trash talk, Jake Paul's challenge, a targeted date for his UFC return, Steven Seagal's advice, Israel Adesanya's recent comments, Magomed Ankalaev, his near pull-out from UFC 307, plus much more. Then...

On the debut episode of The Boy in the Back, Eric Jackman (NewYorkRic) and Conner Burks (GC) speak to The Mac Life's Oscar Willis (12:04) on the heels of his impressive BKFC win, preview PFL's Battle of the Giants PPV and answer your questions live (01:36:46) from the chat with the help of Mysterious Frank. Plus, Ariel Helwani crashes the show (02:01:47).

On the debut edition of On the Nose (8:47) of the Uncrowned era, Ariel Helwani and The Boys In The Back answer your questions about the transition to the new era, UFC's Contender Series, the job of MMA media, and more. Chris Eubank Jr. (21:26) discusses his IBO middleweight title win over Kamil Szremeta, his viral comments about why he signed with Boxxer, his various encounters with Conor Benn, th...