The Ariel Helwani Show

Ariel Helwani is joined by the Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll to react to UFC Baku announcements, easter eggs in the new EA Sports UFC 6 trailer, and more (07:34). Tatsuro Taira joins the show ahead of his UFC flyweight title fight against Joshua Van at UFC 328, talking about the fight being delayed due to an injury to Van, potentially becoming the first Japanese UFC champion, being inspired...

Solomonster is back with thoughts on the unceremonious WWE departures of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, reports of TKO asking to restructure their deals, and why leaving is the best thing that could happen (4:19). Plus, thoughts on additional WWE releases including JC Mateo and Tonga Loa (26:34). Next, WWE Backlash preview and predictions, including John Cena teasing something “epic,” and an upda...

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show with one of Saturday’s big winners, UFC lightweight prospect Quillan Salkilld, discussing his massive knockout of Beneil Dariush, his growing fan base and social media following, his mustache, his callout of Mateusz Gamrot, and more (05:01). Old friend Chael Sonnen is back to chat with Ariel about the UFC’s welterweight title picture, a potential fight between Cono...

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show reacting to David Benavidez’s unreal knockout of Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez to capture the unified cruiserweight championship (03:58). With the win, Benavidez stamped himself as one of the bonafide stars of the sport and could carry the 'Face of Boxing' moniker. Could Dmitry Bivol, Jai Opetaia, or even a run at heavyweight be next (22:00)? The undercard d...

The Craic is back with Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall, and Ben Fowlkes at the helm. Sean Strickland is back in the headlines with controversial trash talk aimed at upcoming opponent and UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev. The trio break down the impact his latest tirade is having on the perception of MMA (4:18). Another fight potentially on the horizon is Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado G...

David Benavidez vs. Gilberto Ramirez is here! Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show breaking down the cruiserweight title fight, both men's chances, how much of a star Benavidez could be if he wins and gets Dmitry Bivol next (08:04). The undercard is loaded as well, with a 168-pound title fight between champion Armando Resendiz and Jaime Munguia, and a can’t-miss fight between Oscar Duarte...

The Boys in the Back start the show, as usual, with a reading of five-star podcast reviews (01:32), before hitting some news & notes (13:59). Then, they break down the UFC's welterweight title picture (15:55), including a preview of UFC Perth (30:55).  After touching on this weekend's major boxing action and PFL (1:01:33), they make picks (1:10:52) and deliver their P4P nightmare scenarios (1:14:3...

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show by announcing a live show in New York City before UFC 328, then brings in The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll to discuss Skye Nicolson banking another win, Takeru taking out Rodtang in his retirement fight, whether Sean Strickland’s verbal jabs have crossed the line, the build for his fight against Khamzat Chimaev, and more (16:07). Jorge Masvidal and Yoel Rome...

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show with a look at the first faceoff between Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates and a skit from Quillan Salkilld (06:59). Friend of the show Arnold Allen returns to talk about his upcoming fight against Melky Costa, the state of UFC’s featherweight division and who should get the next title shot, running into former opponent Jean Silva, training with Aiemann Zahabi...

Jason Solomon is back with a lot to say about the latest round of WWE roster cuts, including one surprising name (04:18). Plus, why people need to stop putting all the blame on TKO, Nick Khan playing the straw man game at a WWE town hall, and more (30:24). Next, news on NXT PLEs finding a new home, Smackdown reverting back to two hours and why this is a good move (34:25). Then, thoughts on a big m...

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show with a recap of his travels and thoughts on Netflix’s Hulk Hogan docuseries, before reacting to Aljamain Sterling’s win over Youssef Zalal and what it means for the UFC’s featherweight division, as well as the rest of the card (05:04). Jiří Procházka returns to discuss his experience as a new father, reflect on the UFC 327 loss to Carlos Ulberg, react to Ulberg’s r...

Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani are ready to do battle in what is being billed as the biggest fight in Japanese history. Inoue is the favorite, but has shown some vulnerabilities over his last few fights. Can Nakatani, a former champion in his own right, pull off the upset (04:42)? Jarrell Miller picked up a hard-fought victory over Lenier Pero in Las Vegas and quickly called out Deontay Wilder. Wi...

The Craic is back! This time, Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall, and Ben Fowlkes are joined by special guest John S. Nash. First up, Nash sheds light on the latest regarding the Ali Revival Act after the Senate hearing debating its merits (1:10). Then, the lads turn to RAF’s recent momentum, following the news of Khamzat Chimaev’s signing (40:27). With the White House card looming, does Alex Pereir...

The Boys in the Back kick off the show by celebrating the anniversary of an important show moment (06:54), then cover news and notes from the combat world (12:16). They react to the recent war of words between UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and top contender Arman Tsarukyan (24:16), before previewing UFC Vegas 116 from top to bottom (53:53). After making picks (1:25:26), the Boys deliver th...

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show discussing the most recent Senate hearing around the Ali Revival Act. It was Nick Khan representing TKO vs. boxing's side of Oscar De La Hoya and Nico Ali Walsh. Both sides made their points and the bill will now go to the Senate floor (02:13). Next up, Richardson Hitchins who signed with Zuffa Boxing recently, announced he is vacating his 140-pound tit...

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show with living legend Ric Flair, who gives his reaction to WrestleMania 42, then speaks about his daughter Charlotte’s career, Dennis Rodman asking Flair to induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame, feeling a lack of respect from WWE, his admiration for Stephanie McMahon, his relationship with AEW’s Tony Khan, the state of the industry, and more (03:54). Ariel is joined T...

Jason Solomon is back and has mixed feelings on this year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, as well as changes needed for it going forward, and ESPN's Andreas Hale not being credentialed for WrestleMania (05:47). He reviews both nights of WrestleMania, focusing in on how TKO does business, writing off the dumb Pat McAfee angle, ending strong with an outstanding Sunday main event, and Brock Lesnar’s pos...

Ariel Helwani begins the show by touching on the NBA playoff battle between his New York Knicks and GC’s Atlanta Hawks, as well as Jiri Prochazka’s latest statement (02:25). Youssef Zalal is back to preview his UFC main event against Aljamain Sterling, talking about how the fight came together, having trained with Sterling in the past, wanting to win by submission, his “receipts” for Alexander Vol...

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show by reacting to the biggest moments from UFC Winnipeg and WrestleMania 42 (12:53). Mike Malott is back after his big win over Gilbert Burns in Winnipeg, recapping the fight, then touching on the experience of headlining again in Canada, receiving support from Pierre Poilievre, controversy surrounding an incident with the Canadian flag after the fight, the success of...

Solomonster is back with a WrestleMania 42 recap for Night 2 in Las Vegas with an incredible main event capping off a much better show and Roman Reigns winning the World Heavyweight Title.  He also has news on Roman's schedule moving forward on Monday nights.  Plus, a MAJOR surprise with Brock Lesnar seemingly retiring after his loss to Oba Femi, Rhea Ripley and Trick Williams with big title wins...

First up, Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri discuss Ben Whittaker’s puzzling professional career after another one-sided win. What is his true potential and who could he fight in the next few months to get him ready for world-class opposition (02:17)? Alycia Baumgardner picked up a hard-fought win over Bo Mi Re Shin on Friday night in NYC and continued to call out Katie Taylor for a mega fight in Ire...

Solomonster is here with a WrestleMania 42 recap for Night 1 in Las Vegas with Cody Rhodes retaining the WWE title over Randy Orton in a match that turned into something of a mess psychology-wise and where things stand with Pat McAfee, new champions crowned including the return of a big women's name, Bron Breakker costs Seth Rollins, and Bianca Belair returns to make a MAJOR announcement.  Turns o...

The Craic returns with Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall, and Ben Fowlkes back together as usual. After catching up, the lads react to Dana White’s comments insisting the UFC’s White House event is not political (8:48). Following reports that Saudi Arabia has pulled its funding from LIV Golf, the boys explore what it could mean for combat sports’ ties to the country and its boxing figurehead, Turki...

We open the show discussing Dan Canobbio’s experience at the MVP MMA press conference, interviewing Nate Diaz and Francis Ngannou, and all the behind the scenes scenes for the upcoming Netlfix card on May 16 (01:17). With Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani quickly approaching, Dan and Chris Algieri look at the storylines around what is the biggest fight in Japanese history. Can Nakatani pull off the u...

The Boys in the Back kick off the show by reading your five-star podcast reviews (02:13), before jumping into the beef between Ronda Rousey and Kayla Harrison, prompted by Rousey going off on Harrison during yesterday's Netflix press conference (08:16). Next, they tackle news and notes from the combat world (41:12) and debate whether UFC's heavyweight division has new life (51:05). Then, they prev...