The Ariel Helwani Show

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show discussing the recent WBC ruling that Noel Mikaelian must fight David Benavidez or be stripped of his title. Mikaelian was close to finalizing a deal with lineal champion Jai Opetaia. It’s a messy situation that has a lot of ramifications for the future of the sport (02:19).

Dmitry Bivol returned to the ring this weekend and pitched a shutout over Michael Eifert, showing he still has it. Will he fight David Benavidez next or will he get a third fight with Artur Beterbiev (15:46)?

O’Shaquie Foster defeated Ray Ford in a very nip-and-tuck fight that saw him pull away late. Shakur Stevenson then entered the ring which led to a debate on who Foster should fight next. Fellow champion Emanuel Navarette is the clear choice if Foster wants to unify the titles (24:26).

Over in El Paso, Texas, Stephanie Han defeated Holly Holm in a fight many thought Holm won. Will Caroline Dubois be next for Han? Can Holm still get the Katie Taylor fight despite coming off a loss (38:39)?

Amanda Serrano got a stoppage win and tied Christy Martin’s knockout record. She has mentioned retiring at the end of the year (45:15).

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show by recapping a massive combat sports weekend, including Stephanie Han’s win over Holly Holm, UFC Macau and Road to UFC, Darren Till’s BKFC debut, Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington’s RAF rivalry, and more (07:14).

Music and entertainment icon Action Bronson returns to drop knowledge about a multitude of things, including his New York Knicks being in the NBA Finals, his new album Planet Frog, his thoughts on some upcoming UFC fights, and more (1:03:03).

Ben Askren joins to announce that he’ll be wrestling Belal Muhammad for RAF, talking about overcoming his near-fatal health crisis, his preparation for the match, recognizing similarities between his situation and that of NASCAR’s Kyle Busch, who recently died from pneumonia, how he thinks Gable Steveson will do in the UFC, his prediction for Tsarukyan vs. Covington, and more (1:33:51).

Ariel and the crew cover some more news and notes, including action from the boxing world, AAA’s mask vs. mask match, Katie Taylor teasing her final fight, UFC releasing soccer merch ahead of the World Cup, and more (2:09:48).

Arman Tsarukyan is back following another RAF win to detail his future plans in the wrestling world, provide thoughts on Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, react to Colby Covington’s callout, give insights into Khamzat Chimaev's difficult UFC 328 weight cut, react to Ryan Garcia talking about their bet, and more (3:18:53).

Ariel wraps up the show with a few more news items, including Dana White’s recent comments about mental health and Anderson Silva, and Eddie Hearn calling for Tom Aspinall’s release (4:03:51), before answering your Super Chats (4:53:35).

The Craic is back! This time, it’s the duo of Petesy Carroll and Ben Fowlkes chopping it up.

To kick things off, the lads react to construction beginning for the UFC's White House card (03:38), along with Joe Rogan’s criticisms of the event (25:20).

The promotion behind the White House event has been relentless. Does Dana White deserve more credit for his recent media tour (38:10)?

The UFC President also opened up about the circumstances around Anderson Silva’s exit from the organization, which the boys discuss (44:02).

UFC Macau is this weekend, so Petesy and Ben talk the early start time and what the card has to offer (52:00).

Holly Holm’s boxing return (58:38) and Darren Till’s BKFC debut (01:02:06) also feature on this weekend’s slate.

To close the show, the duo answer your Super Chats (01:17:40).

Since Rico Verhoeven’s near-upset of Oleksandr Usyk, the boxing/MMA communities have been debating what the most difficult combat sport is: boxing, MMA or kickboxing? Chris Algieri breaks it down as someone who spent time practicing both boxing and kickboxing (06:17).

O’Shaquie Foster vs. Ray Ford for Foster’s WBC super featherweight title is the big fight of the weekend and we break down who could come out on top. Over in El Paso, Texas, Stephanie Han puts her title on the line in a rematch vs. MMA/Boxing legend Holly Holm and Amanda Serrano returns, looking to inch closer to the women’s knockout record (13:31).

Dmitry Bivol returns this weekend from an extended absence due to back surgery, taking on his mandatory, Michael Eifert. How much does Bivol have left in the tank and will we get the Betervbiev trilogy or a fight with David Benavidez (27:57)?

After reading your five-star podcast reviews (04:01), the Boys in the Back spotlight soaring ticket prices for Conor McGregor's return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 and wonder whether the price is worth it (06:34).

Next, they react to Dana White's recent comments about UFC fighter pay when compared to the WNBA (32:14) and the potential of a Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm rematch (46:36).

Then, they touch on chatter about Khamzat Chimaev's nightmare weight cut (1:02:08), more Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev talk (1:03:52), and results from Road to UFC (1:10:29).

The Boys preview UFC Macau (1:24:24) and Darren Till's BKFC debut (1:43:52), before making picks and acknowledging this week's lack of a P4P segment (1:48:40).

The show ends with your voicemails (2:01:17) and Super Chats (2:32:21).

Ariel Helwani starts today’s show by answering your On The Nose questions, touching on the New York Knicks’ success, best all-time walkouts, running into Jake Shields, the scorecards for Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven, and more blind rankings (04:52).

Rising PFL prospect Patrick Habirora joins to recap his massive win over Benson Henderson and discuss criticism of the booking, his callout of Mike Perry, who he wants to fight next, and his relationship with the promotion (40:53).

Colby Covington is back on the show to reveal details of his sudden retirement, including conversations with the UFC, then talks about his full-time move into wrestling, the RAF matchups he’s chasing, UFC’s White House card, the lack of animosity between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland after their fight, whether he belongs in the UFC Hall of Fame, and more (1:04:42).

Holly Holm returns to preview her rematch with Stephanie Han under the MVP banner, also discussing how much longer she plans to compete, potentially being Katie Taylor’s final opponent, Ronda Rousey coming out of retirement and the possibility of a rematch, and more (1:49:32).

Boxer Adam Azim is our final guest of the day, looking ahead to his bout against Steve Claggett, then detailing his training for the fight, his desire to retire at just 31 years old, how he viewed the Usyk vs. Verhoeven controversy, praying with his opponents after their fight, and more (2:14:32).

Ariel and the crew come back to cover news and notes (2:32:46), finish up On The Nose (3:13:38), and answer your Super Chats (3:44:28).

Solomonster is back with a full review of AEW Double or Nothing, by far the best wrestling show of 2026. Plus, FTR contract news with potential WWE interest, a Jim Ross health update, and thoughts on Darby Allin’s run as AEW World champion (1:56).

Then, reaction to MJF singling out Malakai Black as one of the ex-AEW talents who thought the WWE grass was greener, and why Black may have been keen on leaving to go back after Vince McMahon fell out of power (40:10).

Thoughts on Ludwig Kaiser a.k.a. El Grande Americano being arrested last week and what it means for his big push (47:05).

More on Saturday Night’s Main Event, including Logan Paul sustaining a torn triceps, and what it means for the Raw tag team titles (52:19).

WWE Clash in Italy preview and predictions, including which matches will open the show, and why Brock Lesnar doesn't need to win to get to a trilogy match with Oba Femi at Summerslam (57:40).

An update from AEW star Kota Ibushi, who acknowledges he won’t be wrestling again anytime soon, and a fatal accident on Sunday claims the life of a wrestler at a lucha libre show in Mexico (1:10:56).

Ariel Helwani begins the show by celebrating the continued fairy-tale run of his New York Knicks, then discussing an eclectic combat sports weekend that included the controversial ending to Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven (13:00).

WBO super middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz joins the show following his knockout of Alem Begic, talking about what’s next, expressing his interest in fighting Canelo, and more (41:01).

Rico Verhoeven is back to break down the controversy around his fight with Usyk, then talks about being able to defy expectations, being happy with his performance, how he scored the rounds, wanting an apology from the officials, what he plans to do next, talks of fighting Francis Ngannou, and more (58:19).

Peter Fury, Verheoven’s coach, joins to give his thoughts on the fight, then discuss his training with Verhoeven over the years, their game plan, speaking with the referee after the bout, also working with Tom Aspinall, and more (1:48:14).

BOXXER headman Ben Shalom is our final guest of the day, reacting to the outcome of Usyk vs. Verhoeven, then talks about Adam Azim upcoming bout against Steve Claggett, the promotion’s broadcast deal with the BBC, Ben Whittaker signing with Matchroom, the contract status of Chris Eubank Jr., and more (2:17:32).

Ariel covers some more news and notes, including other action from the weekend, White House updates, Conor McGregor’s recent training, and more (2:46:34), before ending with your Super Chats (3:22:34).

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show discussing Oleksandr Usyk’s late-round stoppage of Rico Verhoeven, including the controversy, Verhoeven’s outstanding performance, and whether Usyk has finally lost a step. Will we see a rematch or will Usyk finally face Agit Kabayel (00:28)?

Frank Sanchez scored an emphatic knockout over Richard Torrez that left the boxing world stunned. With the win, Sanchez became the mandatory for Usyk’s IBF belt. Where does Torrez go from here (34:30)?

The boys also break down the rest of the main card, which saw Hamzah Sheeraz capture his first world title against an overmatched Alem Begic and Jack Catterall’s dominant win over Shakhram Giyasov, which lines up some big future fights (44:28).

Finally, on Friday night, fast-rising prospect Amari Jones scored a quick knockout of Vincenzo Gualtieri, which puts him one step closer to a middleweight title shot (52:32).

Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall, and Ben Fowlkes are back on The Craic.

Following Scott Coker’s announced return to MMA, the crew discuss the future of emerging promotions and what it could mean for industry-leading UFC (05:18).

One of those promotions is MVP. Attention turns to what the company’s record-breaking numbers actually mean given its Netflix collaboration (43:43).

Colby Covington has hung up the MMA gloves. They reflect on the timing of the retirement, just one month out from the UFC White House card (49:50).

Another recent annoucement is the return of Conor McGregor. Did the UFC fumble the reveal of his comeback? (58:15).

One fight flying under the radar is Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven in Giza. The lads preview the crossover matchup (01:02:10).

After a quick preview of PFL Brussels (01:10:30), the boys close the show by answering your Super Chats (01:21:35).