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 by Naoya Inoue’s win over Junto Nakatani, wanting to fight Alexandre Pantoja and Kyoji Horiguchi, and more (12:05).

In an awkward interview, Daniel Dubois quickly previews his upcoming WBO heavyweight title fight against Fabio Wardley, before storming off (32:49).

Luke Rockhold returns, discussing his involvement with Santo Studio, training sessions with Khamzat Chimaev, Chimaev’s demeanor in light of Sean Strickland’s trash talk, not liking Strickland’s gym etiquette, wanting to face Michael Bisping at a RAF event, and more (1:30:18).

Unified cruiserweight champion David Benavidez is back on the heels of his massive knockout of Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez, breaking down the win, his place in the P4P rankings, having no interest in the Zuffa Boxing belts, still being willing to fight Canelo Alvarez, wanting to go back to light heavyweight to face Dmitry Bivol, pressing pause on any heavyweight talks, and more (2:32:08).

Ariel wraps up with your Super Chats (3:05:58).

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 update on why Roman Reigns was suddenly pulled from Raw dates in June (31:55).

This week, a social media “story” about AEW and Warner Brothers Discovery was treated as gospel, but it wasn't anything we didn’t already know and you should be skeptical about it (55:12).

Then, news on Dynamite notching its highest domestic attendance in two years, where things stand for the Double or Nothing card, and a medical update on Kota Ibushi (1:03:39).

The show closes with some listener Q&A and a scary health update on Chelsea Green, who was treated for a heart condition and is now on the mend (1:08:31).

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 Conor McGregor and Max Holloway, his beef with Jorge Masvidal, the escalating trash talk between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev, and more (47:36).

Queensberry Promotions’ Frank Warren returns to talk all things boxing, including David Benavidez’s big win, Fabio Wardley’s title defense against Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma’s next fight moving from July to August, his relationship with Turki Alalshikh, Zuffa Boxing’s first few shows, the Ali Revival Act passing through Congress, talks of Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua on Netflix, and more (1:42:13).

Ariel is joined by The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll to recap a busy combat sports weekend, touching on the continued back-and-forth between Strickland and Chimaev, the latest White House card updates, Tom Aspinall’s road back to the cage, and more (2:23:30).

Ariel closes the show with your Super Chats (3:43:57).

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 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 Garry. Does Garry’s style present real problems for Makhachev (40:45)?

Welterweights take center stage at this weekend’s UFC Perth card, where Jack Della Maddalena faces Carlos Prates in a potential firefight, but will the lads be tuning in for the early start (46:19)?

After spotlighting Ben Fowlkes’ latest Uncrowned piece on Sonny Liston (1:03:15), they close the show by getting to your Super Chats (01:12:23).

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 and Angel Fierro (40:06).

Finally, we are one day closer to Naoya Inoue putting all his titles on the line vs. fellow countryman Junto Nakatani in the biggest fight in Japanese boxing history. Dan and Chris give their final thoughts on the fight (45:04).

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).

The Boys end the show by listening to your voicemails (2:01:14) and answering your Super Chats (2:49:54).

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 Romero join the show together, talking about Romero’s upcoming fight for Masvidal’s bare-knuckle promotion, a potential return to the cage for Masvidal, Masvidal’s beef and war of words with Chael Sonnen, Masvidal being offered a fight against Darren Till, Romero wanting to fight Anderson Silva before retiring, and more (1:14:15).

Wrestling legend Matt Hardy is back in-studio to talk about his recent run with TNA, the relationship between TNA and WWE, his own relationship with the WWE, including with President Nick Khan, being a locker room leader for TNA, stories from Wrestlers’ Court, his friendship with the Undertaker, other tales from his illustrious career, his thoughts on WrestleMania 42, and more (1:34:09).

Ariel reacts to the Hardy interview, before touching on Jake Paul calling out Ilia Topuria, a run-in between Ryan Garcia and Henry Cejudo, Arman Tsarukyan saying he was offered a fight against Michael Chandler, and answering your Super Chats (2:18:33).

Merab Dvalishvili is our final guest of the day, talking about training with Gina Carano ahead of her Ronda Rousey bout, recovering from his recently broken nose, Henry Cejudo pulling out of their RAF match, his feelings on Arman Tsarukyan, wrestling against Frankie Edgar, when he expects to have the Petr Yan trilogy fight, his prediction that Sean O’Malley will beat Aiemann Zahabi, and more (2:56:17).

Ariel ends the show with more Super Chats (3:32:27).

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 and his prediction for the Sean O'Malley fight, and more (10:05).

KSW heavyweight champion Phil De Fries joins to discuss his 14th consecutive title defense and 17th straight win, wanting a superfight against Francis Ngannou, his rituals and superstitions, and more (41:21).

Promoter Lou DiBella is back to touch on hot-button boxing topics, including the early days of Zuffa Boxing, Conor Benn’s big money signing, Eddie Hearn’s rivalry with Dana White, Anthony Joshua fighting Kristian Prenga rather than Tyson Fury, the Ali Revival Act making its way through Congress, Jake Paul’s latest moves, the state of the industry, and more (1:05:19).

Ariel is joined by The Boys in and Back and Petesy Carroll for On The Nose, with questions about Jiri Prochazka’s recent appearance on the show, Aljamain Sterling’s historical ranking, what’s at stake for Michael Chandler in June, the NBA playoffs, MMA’s intersection with politics, and more (2:10:31).

Ariel closes the show with your Super Chats (3:14:26).

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 main event signed for Backlash, the Oba Femi open challenge and his direction heading into SummerSlam, and which Smackdown star wants to be a Paul Heyman Girl (41:39).

Plus, a review of Hulk Hogan “Real American” Netflix docuseries, what’s there, what’s missing, and whether it’s worth watching (56:03).

Closing out with news on a potential Lucha Underground revival, the North Carolina town paying homage to Andre the Giant, and some listener Q&A (1:12:11).