The Craic with Petesy Carroll

When I asked Tom Aspinall if he would be okay with me interviewing his head coach and father, Andy Aspinall, he doubted I would be able to get him do it. But lo and behold, I managed to convince the U.K. martial arts O.G. to join me on the latest episode of The Craic. On today's episode, Andy describes how he packed in a successful I.T. career at 40 to pursue jiu-jitsu and to spend more time with...

Oprah Winfrey teeing off at the US Open, Jeff Bezos in the starting five of an NBA Finals team, Richard Branson taking centre court at Wimbledon … none of these things could happen. However, in the wild world of MMA, the sport’s most powerful man, Dana White, is on a promotional tour for a potential UFC clash between 51-year-old engineer, Elon Musk, and celebrated data miner and jiu jitsu white be...

Host Petesy Carroll tells you what YOU can expect every week on The Craic.

Following his viral post-fight address in Paris last year, UFC London star Nathaniel Wood discusses his battle with anxiety and OCD. “The Prospect” gives his take on his back and forth with Lerone Murphy and looks forward to his main card meeting with Andre Fili.  A proud Londoner, Wood also shares his dream of one day fighting in the main event of UFC London, on the back of his stellar run with C...

A fellow northside Dubliner, Kiefer Crosbie, joins Petesy following his career-best win over UFC veteran Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira and also on the back of the announcement of his boxing debut against reality TV star and former MMA fighter Aaron Chalmers at the 3 Arena on July 15. “BDK” discusses keeping his finances in order while awaiting a UFC call-up, the dilemma of leaving himself available for a...

UFC featherweight Jack Shore joins Petesy to discuss how an injury to his hand means he will not fight on July’s UFC London card. Shore also gives his take on all-British bouts, his teammate Oban Elliott, and why Cage Warriors fighters are now getting sent to the Contender Series as opposed to signing with the UFC directly. “Tank” also gives an update on his legendary father, Shaky Shore, and cons...

Petesy talks to Ireland’s latest UFC signee, Shauna Bannon. “Mama B” discusses overcoming setbacks during the pandemic and giving birth before earning a UFC contract a little over a year into her pro career. Bannon is currently 5-0, has previously represented Ireland as a kickboxer,  and also in amateur MMA. Her UFC debut is scheduled  for UFC London next month, where she'll take on Bruna Brasil....

Ahead of his meeting with Jesus Pinedo, PFL featherweight Brendan Loughnane joins Petesy to give his take on the PFL's testing protocol after 10 fighters tested positive for banned substances. Loughnane discusses why he feels he is very much a part of the U.K.'s golden era despite not being in the UFC. He also calls for a Dublin finale in December should he make it to the finals to defend his titl...

The great Chuck Mindenhall joins Petesy to discuss another outlandish press conference from Dana White where the UFC president attempted to goad heavyweight boxing king Tyson Fury into fighting in the UFC. Was it to slight former champion Francis Ngannou or to distract the masses from Conor McGregor’s ongoing saga with USADA? The lads give their two cents. #TheCraic #ArielHelwani If you want to su...

Ahead of KSW’s second stadium show, “Colosseum 2,” Petesy Carroll talks to founder and president Martin Lewandowski about battling back to a massive event after the pandemic, what to expect at Warsaw’s national stadium on Saturday night, and whether the star-studded card can be considered one of the biggest events on the MMA calendar in 2023 (6:20). Plus, Petesy is joined by Severe MMA’s Sean Denn...

After his cup of coffee as a boxing reporter, Petesy returns home to the wild world of MMA with fellow Ringer MMA Show stalwart Chuck Mindenhall.  On today's show, Petesy and Chuck give their thoughts on all-time classic Dana White press conference in the aftermath of Mackenzie Dean vs. Angela Hill where he took at aim at Francis Ngannou, PFL and many others. #TheCraic #ArielHelwani If you want to...

After attending Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron on Saturday night, Petesy spoke to Eddie Hearn (5:25), boxing journalist Gavan Casey (12:40), and adopted Irishman Ariel Helwani alongside DAZN’s Ade Oladipo and former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew (19:36). #TheCraic If you want to support this podcast, the best thing you can do right now is FOLLOW "The Ariel Helwani Show" on our Spotify or...

The GOAT of combat sports media, Ariel Helwani, joins Petesy Carroll to discuss Helwani-mania in the Irish capital. Helwani explains his experiences being back on the Emerald Isle for the first time in nine years, what Katie Taylor’s return means to Irish boxing, how dangerous an opponent Chantelle Cameron is for Taylor, food at The Black Forge,  the rebirth of Irish boxing, and much more. #TheCra...

On this episode of "The Craic," Petesy is joined by legendary Irish journalist Philip O’Connor (6:02) to discuss why boxer Katie Taylor is Ireland’s greatest ever athlete, how much she means to the people of Ireland, why she is appreciated in a different way than UFC superstar Conor McGregor, and whether we are likely to see her compete at Croke Park before her unmatched career comes to an end. An...

Ahead of the No. 1 contender clash between the legend Gegard Mousasi and surging U.K. contender Fabian Edwards at Bellator 296 in Paris, Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen joins Petesy to give his take on the pivotal main event meeting. Eblen also discusses the growing conversation labelling him as the greatest middleweight on planet earth before talking to Petesy about how he would "dest...

Petesy is joined by 10th-ranked UFC heavyweight Marcin Tybura (5:07) to get an update on his rumoured clash with Tom Aspinall, which was said to be in the works for the UFC London main event in July. The Polish UFC veteran explains what’s happening from his point of view before disclosing that there are two prominent options on the table for him - one of which is Aspinall in London - and he also g...

Petesy is joined by former KSW double champion Roberto Soldic ahead of his second ONE Championship bout this weekend. Soldic discusses his disappointment with a low strike ending his promotional debut, a potential ONE event in Zagreb, Croatia and why he thinks a lot of people are underestimating his old rival Dricus Du Plessis. #ArielHelwani #TheCraic To support the show, please FOLLOW "The Ariel...

Severe MMA’s Andy Stevenson joins Petesy Carroll to discuss Cage Warriors 153. The lads discuss Rhys McKee’s possible second bid for a UFC roster spot, the event’s top performers, and the reemergence of tensions between promotions Cage Warriors and Bellator. To support the show, please FOLLOW "The Ariel Helwani Show" on our Spotify or Apple Podcasts feeds. And if you're feeling really adventurous,...

Ahead of one of the biggest cards of the year for Irish MMA, Severe MMA’s surging reporter Andy Stevenson joins "The Craic with Petesy Carroll" to preview Cage Warriors 153 and to contemplate whether we are on the verge of a new era of Irish fighters in the UFC. Also on the show, Cage Warriors 153 headliner Rhys McKee discusses his title unification bout with U.K. legend Jimmy Wallhead this weeken...

Petesy talks to Pat Kondelis, the director of Showtime’s "Catching Lightning" - a four-part series documenting the life and crimes of British former UFC fighter Lee Murray. Kondelis underlines how much misinformation there was surrounding Murray’s involvement in the biggest heist in United Kingdom history. He also lets British fight fans know when the documentary will debut in the U.K. To support...

Petesy speaks to ninth-ranked UFC light heavyweight Paul Craig about potential matchups for the next UFC London event in July, breaking workout records at the UFC PI, and his new show, "Leather'd Podcast." Craig also discusses rebounding from a recent nose surgery, breaking a man’s jaw in his first stint as a professional wrestler, and how he inadvertently stole UFC president Dana White’s Modelos...

One of the most prolific reporters covering Jake Paul’s venture into boxing, Donagh Corby of the Irish Mirror, joins Petesy to talk about Paul vs. Nate Diaz. Corby explains why he thinks Paul is taking a step down in level of competition on the back of his loss to Tommy Fury. He also underlines how a Diaz win could see Paul’s boxing days come to an end before explaining why he thinks Jake Paul wil...

On today's two-part episode, former UFC and KSW champion Jan Blachowicz (2:00) doubles down on his intention to make 185 lbs. so he can challenge middleweight champion Israel Adesanya to a rematch. Blachowicz also declares interest in facing Alex Pereira at 205 lbs. following Dana White’s comments in the aftermath of UFC 287. Also featured today, former Cage Warriors champion and current UFC light...

On this episode, Petesy speaks to former UFC PR guru and MMA historian Ant Evans (4:25) about one-time U.K. standout, Lee Murray, who is the subject of a new four-part documentary, “Catching Lightning”, which is streaming now on Showtime. Murray is infamous, not only for his fighting ability that would see him go from the regional scene to the UFC, but also for being one of the key players in the...

Ahead of a blockbuster UFC 287 card, City Kickboxing founder and head coach Eugene Bareman discusses Israel Adesanya’s preparation for his MMA rematch with Alex Pereira (1:25). The celebrated coach highlights what he’s learned about Adesanya in the camp, why wrestling has been a key fixture in the preparation, how Pereira might be the most devastating striker to have stepped foot in the Octagon, a...