The Ariel Helwani Show

We open the show reacting to Daniel Dubois destructive second-round stoppage of Fabio Wardley. It was utter dominance for Dubois who can now look for unification bouts with Agit Kabayel or Filip Hrgovic. For Wardley, a long break or even retirement looms (03:21).

Sebastian Fundora picked up a buzzer-beating knockout win over Ermal Hadribeaj to retain his WBC super welterweight title. Fundora struggled early but took over mid way through the fight and now sets his sights on the Jaron Ennis-Josh Kelly winner (34:24).

Brandon Figueroa missed weight, had his title stripped and ultimately pulled out of his fight with Tomoki Kameda. This could open the door for Naoya Inoue to fight for the vacant WBA title. Enjoy the show (54:47)!

On this episode of The Uncrowned Beat, Ariel Helwani is joined by NewYorkRic, Petesy Carroll, and Drake Riggs to discuss hot topics including: UFC's welterweight title picture, amid reports of Carlos Prates being Islam Makhachev's next challenge (02:34), Sean Strickland's complaints about his pay (10:19), Nassourdine Imavov ramping up the trash talk (33:00), and more.

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

First, the trio debate the true value of a UFC title in an era where meritocracy feels increasingly absent (04:50).

On a similar note, the lads react to Farid Basharat not being re-signed by the UFC despite going 7-0 (28:30).

Next, the uncertainty around upcoming fight cards in Saudi Arabia comes into focus (46:47).

To close the show, the boys preview this weekend’s combat sports action (53:04), and answer your Super Chats (01:18:13).

The Boys in the Back cover news and notes, including Alexander Volkanovski calling out Justin Gaethje (03:02), Farid Basharat not being re-signed by the UFC (08:45), and more (29:07).

Then, they sort out the UFC welterweight title picture based on reports of Islam Makhachev vs. Carlos Prates taking place in early 2027 (46:07).

After previewing UFC Edmonton (1:06:44), they touch on the rest of this weekend's action (1:36:06) and make picks (1:59:41).

The Boys deliver their lists of P4P Canadians (2:03:06), listen to your voicemails (2:29:41), and answer your Super Chats (3:03:53).

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show reacting to Naoya Inoue saying he's no longer “waiting” on 'Bam' Rodriguez and will now prepare for a move to featherweight (12:01).

The biggest fight of the weekend is the rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley. Dubois stopped Wardley in the first fight, but Wardley had Dubois down twice in the first three rounds. Who makes the adjustments and comes out on top (34:49)?

Sebastian Fundora returns to the ring on Saturday night as a massive favorite over his mandatory, Ermal Hadribeaj. For Fundora, he must win and immediately look to fight the winner of the rumored Jaron 'Boots' Ennis-Josh Kelly unification bout (52:36).

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show with quick news and notes (05:33).

Kayla Harrison returns to talk about recovering from neck surgery, facing the possibility of not fighting again, the process of getting back to fighting shape, whether she will retire after fighting Amanda Nunes, already being satisfied with her career, Ronda Rousey’s trash talk, and more (13:40).

Prospect Asaf Chopurov joins the show for the first time to discuss his extensive amateur career, his upcoming debut at UFC 333, fighting in Abu Dhabi, aiming to be a UFC champion by the time he turns 28 years old, and more (46:26).

Ariel addresses Sean Strickland and Dana White’s comments about Strickland’s contract status (1:00:29).

Liz Carmouche is back to break down her PFL women’s flyweight title fight against Jena Bishop, talking about her late career resurgence, training with Bishop and their first bout, potentially facing Dakota Ditcheva, Bishop training with Ronda Rousey, and more (1:10:21).

Niko Price explains why he decided to retire in March, then touches on the offer that got him to come back, having a proper retirement fight, memories from his UFC career, and more (1:35:06).

WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora stops by to preview his upcoming title defense and discuss potential massive fights on the horizon, his status with PBC, whether he’d entertain offers from other promotions, his love of wrestling, the massive success of his sister Gabriela, and more (2:01:05).

The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll join Ariel to answer On The Nose questions about the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua undercard, Josh Hokit’s meteoric rise, the prevelance of Dana White Contender Series fighters, Paramount viewership, and more (2:23:08).

The show wraps up with your Super Chats (3:35:02).

Solomonster thinks it's insane that WWE still remains committed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel next month despite multiple attacks on their airport and several fatalities (00:18).

Thoughts on TNA’s Bound for Glory PPV and the controversy that led to them cutting all ties with Max Caster after his debut (04:20).

Thoughts on Money in the Bank, including another failure for LA Knight and both Tiffany Stratton and Penta winning the briefcases, which evidently wasn’t the original plan (14:20).

Why Carmelo Hayes returning to TV as the newest addition to the 946 crew is a great move and what things are looking like now for War Games (27:28).

All of the AEW stars who suddenly appear to be poised to wrestle on New Japan’s big Tokyo Dome show in January and potential matches we’re looking at (33:51).

AEW WrestleDream preview and predictions, plus all of the remaining qualifying matches for spots in Clockwork Carnage for the AEW World championship (41:18).

Necro Butcher signs a WWE Legends deal and an update on 2 Cold Scorpio being sentenced to six years in prison, but it comes with a catch (52:45).

Your questions on how Paul Levesque views LA Knight, who would’ve made great MITB winners if the gimmick existed in the 80s and 90s, names still missing from the Hall of Fame, and more (57:52).

Solomonster thinks it's insane that WWE still remains committed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel next month despite multiple attacks on their airport and several fatalities (00:18).

Thoughts on TNA’s Bound for Glory PPV and the controversy that led to them cutting all ties with Max Caster after his debut (04:20).

Thoughts on Money in the Bank, including another failure for LA Knight and both Tiffany Stratton and Penta winning the briefcases, which evidently wasn’t the original plan (14:20).

Why Carmelo Hayes returning to TV as the newest addition to the 946 crew is a great move and what things are looking like now for War Games (27:28).

All of the AEW stars who suddenly appear to be poised to wrestle on New Japan’s big Tokyo Dome show in January and potential matches we’re looking at (33:51).

AEW WrestleDream preview and predictions, plus all of the remaining qualifying matches for spots in Clockwork Carnage for the AEW World championship (41:18).

Necro Butcher signs a WWE Legends deal and an update on 2 Cold Scorpio being sentenced to six years in prison, but it comes with a catch (52:45).

Your questions on how Paul Levesque views LA Knight, who would’ve made great MITB winners if the gimmick existed in the 80s and 90s, names still missing from the Hall of Fame, and more (57:52).

Ariel Helwani opens the show by recapping Sean Strickland’s recent comments about Ariel and responding with receipts (04:36).

Sal Everett makes his show debut, telling his incredible story of working for the UFC as security and Dana White’s assistant, his early amateur career, his Contender Series win and the raucous crowd there to support him, and more (43:01).

Alexander Hernandez is back to break down his win over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 332, wanting to be in the main event, the high purses for Zuffa Boxing athletes compared to UFC fighters, his relationship with his team, and more (TIME1:06.21).

Manager Spencer Brown joins to talk about Tyson Fury’s side of the fight against Anthony Joshua, including negotiations for the location and all the players involved, the beef between Dana White and Eddie Hearn, and more (1:30:46).

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins is back one day after defeating the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football to talk about the team’s season, his love of combat sports, and the latest storylines in WWE (2:03:43).

Ariel closes the show with your Super Chats (2:42:30) and a Contender Series preview (2:50:48).

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show with legend Demetrious Johnson, who joins Ariel in-studio to talk about his new manga Flow Mushin, Sean Strickland’s friction with UFC over his contract, his feelings about UFC flyweight champ Joshua Van, his new podcast with Israel Adesanya, Jon Jones’ mentorship of Gable Steveson, the GOAT conversation, and more (04:48).

Ariel dives into Sean Strickland’s contract drama, from Nassourdine Imavov showing up in Las Vegas, to Strickland’s string of social media posts, to Strickland’s contract status, Dana White’s reaction to Strickland calling out Zuffa Boxing champion Jai Opetaia, and more (1:01:59).

The Boys join Ariel to cover other news and notes, including Jake Paul’s hit list, KSI’s retirement, Michael “Venom” Page signing with Misfist Boxing, and more (1:43:41).

Michael “Venom” Page is back to talk about his new Misfits Boxing deal, revealing details about the number of fights and timeframe, teasing a potential bout against Darren Till, expressing his desire to fight Sean Strickland while in the UFC, giving his assessment of UFC prioritizing excitement over winning, and more (2:02:39).

Andre Fili returns to the show to break down his massive knockout against Kai Kamaka III at UFC Vegas 122 (2:29:40).

While waiting for Fili to reconnect, Ariel recaps the rest of UFC Vegas 122, starting with Brendan Allen’s big win (2:43:40).

Andre Fili re-joins and the conversation turns to fatherhood, having new perspective on his life and career, his love of wrestling, wanting all his fights to be at UFC’s Apex, and more (3:02:10).

Ariel and crew cover more news and notes (3:45:57), before wrapping up with your Super Chats (4:10:03).