The Ariel Helwani Show

Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall, and Ben Fowlkes are back for another edition of The Craic.

First up, the lads dig into Canelo Alvarez’s comments on The Ariel Helwani Show about boxing’s rivalry with the UFC (14:31).

One fight boxing fans are still waiting on is Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua. The trio discuss the uncertainty surrounding whether the long-awaited matchup will actually happen (30:01).

UFC Fight Night: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov is this weekend, with Chuck sharing insight from his interview with Ankalaev ahead of the fight (37:54).

Later, the boys discuss the lack of buzz surrounding this weekend’s PFL event (47:20), before diving into Ben’s latest Uncrowned article on boxing’s greatest corruption scandal (53:48).

After discussing the hype around The Odyssey, they close out the show by answering your Super Chats (01:07:41).

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show discussing the return of Errol Spence Jr., as he steps in the ring with former 154-pound champion Tim Tszyu. How much does Spence have left in the tank (07:58)?

Zuffa Boxing has its first New York City card on Sunday night, with Edgar Berlanga taking on Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins facing off with Ricardo Salas (33:57).

According to reports, Devin Haney will sign an exclusive deal with DAZN and fight his WBO mandatory challenger, Keyshawn Davis, in the fall. Teofimo Lopez also signed directly with DAZN last week, as we see a real “war” unfolding between DAZN and Paramount/Zuffa (43:02).

Finally, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will step into the ring – not against each other –  but in separate tune-up fights, with the agreement to square off at the end of the year (51:16). 

The Boys in the Back start the show by covering news and notes, including Devin Haney signing with DAZN (02:58), and more UFC fight announcements (11:16).

Then, they preview a wild combat sports weekend, that features UFC Abu Dhabi (24:30), PFL Washington D.C. (1:03:59), Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in action, but not against each other (1:07:51), Karate Combat 62 (1:20:25), BKFC in Uruguay (1:21:40), and more.

Finally, The Boys makes picks (1:27:16), deliver the P4P chips (1:30:58), listen to voicemails (1:52:36), and answer your Super Chats (2:32:21).

Ariel Helwani starts the show with On The Nose. The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll join to answer questions about handling emotional interviews, Conor McGregor embarking on another comeback, the concept of point-fighting, and more (13:05).

Johnny Eblen is back on the show, recapping his win over Impa Kasanganay for PFL’s interim middleweight title, before talking about his continued rivalry with Costello van Steenis, wanting the rematch next, training with and potentially fighting Sean Strickland, and more (1:03:30).

Boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez joins Ariel in-studio, talking about his fight with Christian Mbilli and why it was delayed, feeling off ahead of his fight against Terence Crawford, wanting the Crawford rematch, his love of golf and his son’s love of wrestling, his relationship with Jake Paul, still loving boxing, and more (1:35:55).

Inside Boxing host Dan Canobbio drops in to react to Canelo’s interview and talk all things boxing (2:26:24).

Fatima Kline stops by the studio to break down her UFC win over Tabatha Ricci, then express interest in fighting Zhang Weili or Tatiana Suarez next, give her prediction for Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson, tell stories from her life, and more (2:57:48).

The show wraps up with your Super Chats (4:08:16).

Solomonster reacts to TMZ's report that Tom Brady is in talks to do something with WWE, coming off his recent run-ins with Logan Paul (1:34).

The latest on the sex trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE going to arbitration and why it may be happening (5:59), plus an update on when former WWE champion Sheamus will become a free agent (8:25).

WWE once again counter-programs AEW, announcing NYC events to coincide with WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia next year (11:07).

Rhea Ripley is out of SummerSlam, with an unnecessary interim champion to be crowned (15:23).

Saturday Night’s Main Event thoughts from MSG, with Roman Reigns and Jalen Brunson closing the show, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk teaming up with Nick Aldis, screwing Gunther and Sami Zayn out of a championship opportunity at SummerSlam, and speculation about Bayley’s future (22:55).

Thoughts on AEW Dynamite and predictions for their Redemption PPV in Montreal (41:35).

Dark Side of the Ring thoughts on the finale for Jeff Jarrett and the battle for TNA, including some notes not included in the episode (53:36), plus the death of former WWE star Siva Afi, and how his run halted the night he debuted at MSG (1:06:23).

Ariel Helwani starts the show with The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll, covering news and notes that include the real owner of Ilia Topuria’s Freedom 250 stool refuting Paddy Pimblett’s post, Navajo Stirling stepping into his first UFC main event, Dan Hooker’s reaction to Israel Adesanya leaving City Kickboxing, and more (01:32).

Brandon Royval is back following a huge win over Lone'er Kavanagh, talking about getting back in the win column, listening in to Kavanagh’s corner during the fight, expecting his first child, the viral post about his girlfriend, winning Fight of the Year at the World MMA Awards, and more (31:25).

Bruce Buffer, the voice of the UFC, joins to discuss his World Cup opportunity, teaming with his brother, Conor McGregor’s return at UFC 329, his experience at The White House, his mentality after making an error, his other projects, and more (58:08).

Dustin Poirier returns for an emotional conversation, addressing his struggles with mental health, swearing off alcohol after his airport incident, the support he received from the MMA community, his conversation with Sean Strickland in the aftermath, wanting to get in touch with the officer, how he prepared for retirement, his family history with alcoholism, severing ties with sponsors, and more (1:44:02).

Ariel and The Boys cover more news and notes, focusing in on a wacky upcoming weekend for combat sports and ESPN layoffs (2:30:27), before answering Super Chats (2:59:21).

Ryan Garcia is our final guest of the day, previewing his blockbuster bout against Conor Benn, talking about the responsibility of being WBC champion, Golden Boy and Oscar De La Hoya’s role in promoting the fight, Zuffa Boxing’s product so far, his explosive press conference with Benn, his continued rivalry with Devin Haney, plans to sue Haney’s team, trash talk between himself and UFC fighters Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan, and more (3:02:05).

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show recapping a busy weekend in sports, including the World Cup final, Ben Askren’s retirement match, Conor McGregor sounding off about his injury and next steps on social media, UFC 329 viewership being released, and more (11:34).

Dominick Cruz is back to discuss his UFC Hall of Fame induction, life in retirement, his reaction to Conor McGregor’s injury, his sense of McGregor’s mental and physical state, overcoming his own injuries throughout his career, and more (35:14).

Michael "Venom" Page returns, talking about Conor McGregor’s injury, his frustration with opportunities he’s gotten since joining the UFC, his upcoming fight against Nursulton Ruziboev, his relationship and communication with the UFC, wanting to face the promotion’s biggest names, and more (1:01:51).

Colby Covington joins the show as RAF crossover cruiserweight champion, reflecting on his upset win over Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 11, discussing the strength of Tsarukyan’s wrestling, his beef with and respect for Ben Askren, Belal Muhammad potentially being his next opponent, his friendship with Dricus du Plessis, his continued rivalries with Kamau Usman and Bo Nickal, and more (1:34:20).

Ben Askren stops by to talk about his retirement match at RAF 11, his physical preparation for the event, why Belal Muhammad was his perfect opponent, his emotions during the week, having his friends and family there supporting him, his legacy, Gable Steveson’s MMA ceiling, and more (2:02:49).

Tommy “Gun” McMillen makes his show debut, recapping his show-stealing performance at UFC OKC, his animosity toward Alberto Montes, training with Sean O’Malley and coach Tim Welch, his dream of fighting in the UFC coming true, setting a record for significant strikes, dubbing himself the third Diaz brother, and more (2:26:58).

The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll join Ariel to covers news and notes, including Dricus du Plessis’ impressive win over Kamaru Usman and other fights from UFC OKC, Johnny Eblen’s continued improvements and PFL’s future, Zuffa Boxing’s press conference for Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn, Tom Brady and Logan Paul doing a WWE angle, and more (3:00:04).

Ariel closes the show with your Super Chats (4:15:16).

On a special birthday edition of The Craic, newly 39-year-old Petesy Carroll is joined by Chuck Mindenhall and Ben Fowlkes to break down the biggest stories in combat sports.

To kick things off, they break down the aftermath of UFC 329, including Conor McGregor’s vow to “be back” (7:27).

Next up on the calendar is UFC Oklahoma City. The lads preview the main event, Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman (43:11).

After Justin Gaejthe said he won’t rematch Paddy Pimblett, the trio debate who the UFC lightweight champion will fight next (51:01).

Then, the boys talk PFL action this weekend (58:15), and tell tales from their week in Sin City (01:05:22).

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show reacting to news that Ryan Garcia will be defending his WBC welterweight title against Conor Benn on Sept. 12 on Paramount Plus (05:02). The Paramount Plus aspect is very significant, as the streaming service gets their first big boxing event to go along with their UFC rights (22:36). 

Speaking of Zuffa Boxing, Shakur Stevenson recently signed with the promotion and has expressed his desire and willingness to fight Devin Haney this fall at a catchweight of 144 pounds (33:51). Haney has a decision to make: fight Stevenson and vacate his WBO title or defend it against Keyshawn Davis. 

Andy Ruiz will step back into the ring for the first time in two years, taking on Damian Knyba on Sept. 4, which leads to a discussion on whether or not Ruiz can reach the mountaintop again in the sport (49:39). 

The Boys in the Back are back from Las Vegas and kick off the show by reacting to Conor McGregor calling for his UFC 329 fight to be deemed a No Contest (03:14), as well as other news and notes (06:40).

Then, they discuss the growing star power of Paddy Pimblett, including a ranking of UFC's biggest stars (12:12), and preview a weekend that includes UFC OKC (40:47), PFL Austin (1:18:10), and RAF 11(1:20:29).

Finally the Boys make picks (1:24:32), deliver their P4P broadcast graphics errors (1:26:56), listen to your voicemails (1:55:34), and answer your Super Chats (2:31:32).