The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - podcast cover

The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani

SB Nationmmafighting.com
The Mixed Martial Arts Hour with Ariel Helwani is back in your life. Twice a week you'll hear interviews with the best fighters and biggest personalities in the sport, plus in-depth analysis of the week's UFC and MMA news. Follow the show on YouTube and on your favorite podcast app for new episodes every Monday and Wednesday. From SB Nation and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Episodes

The 2023 MMA Hour Awards Show! Plus Conor McGregor is back, UFC 300 preview

Ariel Helwani takes a closer look at Conor McGregor’s fight announcement and what this means for UFC 300. The panel weighs in on the news and what could be the main event for UFC 300. They also recap the “Day of Reckoning,” the upcoming fight slate for Saudi Arabia, Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua possible fight, Jake Paul’s next fight, and more. Ariel and panel then reveal their winners for the following awards: Knockout of the Year Submission of the Year Breakout Fighter of the Year Most Im...

Jan 03, 20244 hr 33 min

Chael Sonnen, Devin Haney, Josh Emmett, Dave Lovell, and more

In the latest On the Nose around (8:33), Ariel Helwani discusses how the UFC should handle the controversial trash talk, how Dana White broke the news about MVP joining the UFC, his favorite games, UFC 297, favorite Olympic sports, all-MMA trivia team, Sam Alvey’s Karate Combat title, tipping, and more. Devin Haney around (1:02:16) discusses his recent performance against Regis Prograis, Ryan Garcia, why he returned to Matchroom Boxing, Gervonta Davis, life at 140 pounds, a future at 147 pounds,...

Dec 20, 20234 hr 18 min

UFC 296 Reaction, Alexandre Pantoja, Michael ‘Venom’ Page, Geoff Neal, Andre Fili, and more

Ariel Helwani around (8:49) wraps up UFC 296 and discusses Leon Edwards’ title defense, Colby Covington’s controversial comments, the brawl between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, what should be next for Edwards, and more. The panel then gives their takes on the memorable final pay-per-view for the UFC, including the futures of Paddy Pimblett and Tony Ferguson. Alexandre Pantoja around (1:04:02) discusses his UFC 296 title defense against Brandon Royval, the UFC 296 pre-fight press confer...

Dec 19, 20234 hr 16 min

UFC 296 Preview, Anthony Pettis and Benson Henderson face-to-face, Merab Dvalishvili, Khalil Rountree Jr., Brandon Royval, Dave Lovell

In the latest On the Nose around (8:56), Ariel Helwani discusses what makes a "Fight of the Year" candidate, who is next for Leon Edwards if he wins, Tom Brady’s Expos Topps ad, his favorite post-loss interview, favorite EPL stars, the California State Athletic Commission’s ruling on Power Slap, and more. Merab Dvalishvili around (42:53) discusses his upcoming fight against Henry Cejudo at UFC 298, if he’s bummed he didn’t get a title shot, if a title shot is up for grabs at UFC 298, why he want...

Dec 13, 20234 hr 43 min

Leon Edwards, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Eddie Hearn, Dakota Ditcheva, Jonathan Di Bella in studio, and more

Ariel Helwani around (3:28) wraps up a busy combat sports weekend, including taking a closer look at PFL Europe, UFC Vegas 83, and Haney vs. Prograis. We look at what’s next for Khalil Rountree, if a title shot should be next, and the future of Anthony Smith. They also discuss Song Yadong's performance against Chris Gutierrez at UFC Vegas 83 and a potential fight with Petr Yan, Conor McGregor's staredown with Yan at a boxing event in Dubai, and more. Dakota Ditcheva around (42:21) reflects on he...

Dec 12, 20234 hr 7 min

Alexander Volkanovski, Eddie Alvarez, Regis Prograis, Johnny Eblen, Drakkar Klose, and more

Drakkar Klose around (6:02) discusses his memorable knockout of Joe Solecki at UFC Austin, if there was any bad blood with Solecki, why he wants the Beneil Dariush fight next, his post-fight speech, making ends meet during his recent injury, his kids, the UFC Austin main event, Sean O’Malley, the best slam KO of all-time, and more. Eddie Alvarez around (30:15) discusses his loss to Mike Perry at BKFC 56, his injuries suffered in the fight, the stoppage by his corner, if he enjoys BKFC, giving up...

Dec 06, 20234 hr 45 min

Michael Chandler, Mike Perry, Arman Tsarukyan, Dan Hooker, Miesha Tate, Deiveson Figueiredo, Sean Brady, and more

Ariel Helwani around (4:42) quickly wraps up a busy combat sports weekend. Mike Perry around (10:43) talks about his big win over Eddie Alvarez at BKFC 56, his performance compared to Conor McGregor, his family's reactions to his fights, all the callouts he got immediately after the fight, and potential opponents for his next bout, including Nate Diaz, Jake Paul, Darren Till, Jorge Masvidal, his conversation in the hospital after the fight with Alvarez, and more. Sean Brady around (43:17) talks ...

Dec 04, 20234 hr 9 min

DC & Helwani reunion show!

In the latest On the Nose segment around (9:34), Ariel Helwani discusses the first feud for CM Punk, the future of ONE FC, where MVP will end up, Paddy Pimblett’s stardom, if Netflix will partner up with PFL, the NBA in-season tournament, UFC heavyweight division, two former YouTube creators, Kayla Harrison’s future, magazines, PFL pay-per-views, Ariel’s WWE theme song, possible PFL trades with UFC, and more. Daniel Cormier around (1:04:19) discusses CM Punk’s return to the WWE, if Cormier will ...

Nov 29, 20234 hr 32 min

Wild Weekend Review, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Joe Pyfer, Impa Kasanganay, Skye Nicolson, Mike Kogan, and more

Ariel Helwani around (8:33) wraps up a busy combat sports weekend, including the PFL’s latest pay-per-view. He breaks down what worked and what didn’t on Friday night. He also predicts what fights they should make next, including one for Cris Cyborg. He then discusses Katie Taylor’s big win over Chantelle Cameron and what should be next for Taylor. Helwani wraps it up talking about CM Punk’s surprising return to WWE. Bellator exec Mike Kogan around (30:33) discusses Bellator’s sale to PFL MMA, B...

Nov 27, 20234 hr 47 min

Dustin Poirier, Kayla Harrison, Chantelle Cameron, Ailín Pérez in studio

Boxing champ Chantelle Cameron around (12:41) discusses Katie Taylor skipping media for their rematch, how life has changed since her win over Taylor, why she was in awe of Taylor before the first fight, suffering a bad injury before that fight, her frustration at the terms of the rematch, her lack of a rematch clause, wanting to challenge for Taylor’s 135-pound titles, their awkward run-ins before the rematch, why she thinks Eddie Hearn is rooting for Taylor to win despite promoting both fighte...

Nov 22, 20234 hr 28 min

PFL Acquires Bellator Reaction, Donn Davis, Dan Hardy & Veronica Hardy all in studio, plus Frank Warren

Ariel Helwani around (4:06) wraps up a busy combat sports weekend and then breaks down PFL’s acquisition of Bellator. He then looks back at memorable MMA mergers in the past. The panel then takes a closer look at PFL’s big move and the biggest fight that can be made between the two promotions. Frank Warren around (40:48) discusses how the big boxing event came together for the Dec. 23 event, his relationship with Eddie Hearn, why Tyson Fury isn’t on Dec. 23 card, if Fury will rematch Ngannou nex...

Nov 20, 20234 hr 6 min

Jake Paul, Benoit Saint-Denis in studio, Mayra Bueno Silva, Andre Ward, Steve Erceg, and more

In the latest On the Nose around (6:23), Ariel Helwani discusses Tom Aspinall’s future, the best post-fight speeches, what PFL may do with Bellator, the possibility of future live shows, any updates of Nate Diaz, Draymond Green’s rear-naked choke, and more. Steve Erceg around (42:15 )discusses his big UFC 295 win, fighting at MSG, where his nickname comes from, what he wants next, why he didn’t fight on the Sydney card, and more. Andre Ward around (1:00:58) discusses why he’s become more open af...

Nov 15, 20234 hr 40 min

UFC 295 Reaction, Tom Aspinall, plus John Kavanagh, Diego Lopes, and Loopy Godinez all in studio

Ariel Helwani around (3:04) wraps up UFC 295 this past Saturday night and believes Tom Aspinall should face Jon Jones next. The panel then weighs in if this is the right path for the interim UFC heavyweight champion. John Kavanagh around (26:40) talks about the challenges of traveling to fights around the world, watching UFC 295 live with Royce Gracie, getting recognized by fans over Gracie, Johnny Walker's position in the light heavyweight and the stoppage in his fight with Magomed Ankalaev at ...

Nov 13, 20234 hr 46 min

Live from New York! Marlon Vera, Dillon Danis, Julianna Peña, Action Bronson, and more

Dillon Danis around (2:53) discusses how he met Alex Pereira, why he parted ways with Bellator, possibly joining the UFC, McGregor vs. Chandler, his UFC 295 co-main event prediction, Paddy Pimblett, Kevin Holland, Nate Diaz, and more. Julianna Peña around (27:45) discusses why she isn’t fighting for the title next, the UFC 297 co-main event, when she might be able to return from her injury, USADA’s departure, her options for her next fight, her goal of being a UFC commentator, who will win the t...

Nov 11, 20232 hr 8 min

Steve-O & Urijah Faber & Anthony Smith & Viacheslav Borshchev all in studio!

Steve-O around (4:46) discusses leaving the Drew Barrymore show, his upcoming comedy special, the MMA stars involved in the project, trying to get cauliflower ear, surgeries, why he doesn’t want to have kids, his new book, getting choked out by Michael Bisping, his MMA fandom, Colby Covington, Paddy Pimblett, why he doesn’t like boxing, watching Diaz vs. Paul with Dana White, breaking his nose on Mike Tyson’s fist, Francis Ngannou, his ideas for Dana White, and more. Anthony Smith around (1:14:4...

Nov 09, 20235 hr 31 min

Sean O’Malley & Jiri Prochazka in studio, Jorge Masvidal, Jailton Almeida, Nicolas Dalby, and more

Ariel Helwani around (7:36) discusses the fallout from his interview with Chael Sonnen, Francis Ngannou’s pay-per-view sales for Tyson Fury fight, his report on the UFC 297 main event, the UFC Sao Paulo main event, Logan Paul’s big WWE win, and more. Nicolas Dalby around (59:21) talks about the reception he's received since his UFC São Paulo win over Gabriel Bonfim, the betting odds heading into the fight, the changes in his personal life that helped him turn around his career, a UFC return to D...

Nov 06, 20234 hr 29 min

Chael Sonnen and Ariel Helwani get into intense debate about Francis Ngannou! Plus, Rico Verhoeven, Eric Nicksick, Marquel Martin, and more

In the latest On the Nose around (14:46), Ariel Helwani discusses his favorite candy and food, UFC staff interview, if UFC stars will try to box, Francis Ngannou’s biggest fight, a crossover show, the James Harden trade, advice for fathers, and more. Rico Verhoeven around (31:23) discusses his upcoming Glory title fight, his knee injury, his movie career, if his next fight will be it, Ngannou vs. Fury, the trickier guy to fight, how he stays motivated, would you take short-notice fight, Alistair...

Nov 01, 20235 hr 42 min

Francis Ngannou, Eddie Hearn, Dan Hardy, Donn Davis, Helwani Breaks Out the Receipts!

Ariel Helwani around (10:11) brings receipts on all the social media hate Francis Ngannou got before the Fury fight, and the boxing media's reaction to Ngannou and Fury's showing this past Saturday. The team then weighs in on the true winner of the fight, Ngannou adding to his career-defining performances, John Fury overseeing the second razor-close fight involving his sons, the state of crossover boxing after Saturday, where Ngannou goes from here, and more. Saudi Royal Court Minister Turki Ala...

Oct 30, 20234 hr 52 min

Tyson Fury, Tom Aspinall, Charles Oliveira, Alistair Overeem, Mike Breeden, Fabiano Buskei, and more

Alistair Overeem around (4:01) discusses why he decided to retire, what he wants to do next, how much weight he has lost, his diet, his future in politics, the highlights of his career, why he thinks Francis Ngannou will win, and more. Tyson Fury around (31:45) discusses his upcoming fight against Francis Ngannou, why this fight interested him, the pay difference between UFC and boxing heavyweights, Ngannou’s chances against him, what he plans to weigh, how the Usyk fight was announced, if there...

Oct 25, 20234 hr 47 min

UFC 294 recap, Francis Ngannou, Paulo Costa, Johnny Walker, Devin Haney in studio, and more

Ariel Helwani around (6:44) discusses the UFC 294 main event, what’s next for Islam Makhachev, Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman, who should get welterweight title shot next, and more. The team around (28:53) then debates the pound-for-pound rankings in the wake of Makhachev's win over Volkanovski at UFC 294, what Makhachev's next title defense should be, whether Volkanovski should fight again in January at UFC 297, whether or not Khamzat Chimaev should get a title shot against Sean Strickland, w...

Oct 23, 20234 hr 49 min

Mike Perry and Eddie Alvarez face off, Derek Brunson, Craig Jones, Brian Kelleher, David Feldman, UFC 294 Preview

Ariel Helwani around (6:10) discusses the end of Showtime Sports and its coverage of boxing and mixed martial arts. Craig Jones, the jiu-jitsu coach for Alexander Volkanovski, around (12:19) explains why Sambo is fake, what went right and wrong in the first fight with Islam Makhachev, how the short training camp has been, Gordon Ryan vs. Dillon Danis, how he ended up on Alex Jones show, if he will end up fighting Luke Rockhold, his feud with Gabi Garcia, his official fight prediction, and more. ...

Oct 18, 20234 hr 31 min

Alexander Volkanovski, Darren Till, Michel Pereira, Rey Mysterio in studio, Prime Card recap

Ariel Helwani around (8:16) recaps his fight week in Manchester from his voice issues to the event itself. He then takes a closer look at the Logan Paul vs. Dillon Danis and the KSI vs. Tommy Fury clashes. Alexander Volkanovski around (32:44) talks about the moment he received the offer to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 294, cutting weight on short notice, the benefits of fighting without a full training camp, whether he was surprised Makhachev accepted the fight, the danger of taking the rematch ...

Oct 16, 20234 hr 24 min

Live from Manchester! UFC 294 madness, Mike Perry & Mams Taylor in studio, Tommy Fury, more

Ariel Helwani around (5:34) discusses the new main event at UFC 294, if Alexander Volkanovski is out for the Toronto card, what happened with backup fighter Mateusz Gamrot, the co-main event, and more. In the latest On the Nose around (21:28), Ariel Helwani discusses where it would rank if Alexander Volkanovski pulls off the upset at UFC 294, the UFC’s event next year in Saudi Arabia, if Mike Perry knocks out Logan Paul, the skirmishes at Misfits open workouts, and more. Mike Perry around (40:00...

Oct 11, 20233 hr 26 min

Paulo Costa, Bobby Green, Cris Cyborg, Drew Dober, Joe Pyfer, Leah McCourt, and more

Ariel Helwani discusses the recent tragedy in Israel, his trip there, and more. The panel then around (26:48) discusses what happened at Bellator 300, what it all means, the latest from Nate Diaz and Jake Paul, and more. Leah McCourt around (43:44) discusses her win over Sara McMann at Bellator 300, her medical scare during fight week, how she got her nickname, squaring off against Cris Cyborg, her future fight against Cyborg, why she chose MMA over boxing, how she got signed by Bellator, and mo...

Oct 09, 20234 hr 38 min

Michael Chandler, Alexandre Pantoja, Merab Dvalishvili, Angela Lee, and more

Alexandre Pantoja around (19:37) discusses his love of ‘Rocky’ movies, life as UFC champion, his upcoming rematch against Brandon Royval at UFC 296, fighting on Colby Covington card, Sean O’Malley, his memorable post-fight speech, and more. Merab Dvalishvili around (48:38) gives an update on his hand injury, Aljamain Sterling’s loss at UFC 292, Marc Goddard, if he should get next title shot, Sean O’Malley’s recent comments, O’Malley vs. Vera, him shadowboxing in the rain, and more. Michael Chand...

Oct 04, 20234 hr 19 min

Dillon Danis in studio, Tony Ferguson, Renato Moicano, Cédric Doumbé, Dakota Ditcheva, Leigh Wood and Steve Cooper

Before his clash with Logan Paul, Dillon Danis around (8:30) drops by the studio to discuss his ongoing lawsuit with Paul's fiancee, Nina Agdal, the trash talk leading up to the fight, his training with Alex Pereira, drug testing for the fight, the origin of his feud with the Paul brothers, the infamous water balloon incident with Jake Paul, the dark times he went through after getting injured, why the fight is not sanctioned as a pro bout, his face-to-face interview with Logan, John Fury's outb...

Oct 02, 20235 hr 34 min

Logan Paul, Alex Pereira, Stephen Thompson, Johnny Eblen, Jim Lampley, and more

Stephen Thompson around (3:17) discusses his recent pay issues with the UFC, his upcoming fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296, why he turned down the fight the first time, his thoughts on Ian Machado Garry, when he might call it quits, his time away from the Octagon, Edwards vs. Covington, how his fight will play out against Rakhmonov, and more. In the latest On the Nose around (32:05), Ariel Helwani discusses the latest WWE releases, the McGregor vs. Chandler fight delay, judging takedow...

Sep 27, 20235 hr 38 min

GC & Ric Takeover: Reacting to UFC’s big announcements, Ben ‘The Bane’ Davis joins the show

Eric Jackman and Conner Burks around (2:27) discuss all the big UFC fights announced recently, including Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296. They also pick their top 3 most anticipated fights recently announced, discuss Frank's trip to a barber shop for beards only, the disappointment of Rafael Fiziev's UFC Vegas 79 loss to Mateusz Gamrot, other standouts on the card, Bellator 299 standouts, whether Johnny Eblen is among the best middleweights in the world, Misfits Boxing, the Conor Ben...

Sep 25, 20233 hr 34 min

Aljamain Sterling, Jared Cannonier, Anthony Smith, Raul Rosas Jr., Loopy Godinez, Jessica-Rose Clark, and more

Aljamain Sterling around (3:14) discusses his UFC 292 performance, why he plans to take a break, his sense of relief after the title loss, who should Sean O’Malley fight next, if he would fight at featherweight, Dana White’s recent comments, Mike Grundy at Polaris, and more. In the latest On the Nose around (47:42), Ariel Helwani agrees with almost everything Dana White had to say at the DWCS post-fight press conference, the UFC welterweight division, the possibility of an all-female UFC event, ...

Sep 20, 20235 hr 36 min

UFC scoring controversy, Valentina Shevchenko, Ciryl Gane, Tracey Cortez, Amanda Serrano, J.J. Watt, Charlie Campbell

Ariel Helwani around (10:02) recaps Noche UFC and discusses why Mike Bell’s 10-8 in Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2 is one of the worst scorecards in MMA history, where the division goes from here, whether a trilogy fight has to be next, whether Erin Blanchfield or Manon Fiorot has a stronger case, and more. Tracy Cortez around (46:09) discusses her big win over Jasmine Jasudavicius at Noche UFC, her long layoff before Saturday, why she traveled to Brazil to train with the Pitbull brothers, the vibe in ...

Sep 18, 20234 hr 7 min