After UFC 271 I think we have more clarity in the middleweight division. If I were to play matchmaker today in the middleweight division this is how I would proceed with the top 10:
(C)Adesanya x (2)Cannonier
(1)Whittaker x (3)Vettori
(5)Strickland x (5)Costa
(4)Brunson x (7)Hermansson
(8)Till x (9)Hall
Do you agree with the matchups and which ones would you change if any?
With the two big Welterweight fights coming up it got me thinking. Assuming Colby and Chimaev both win, do you think they will be matched up next while Usman fights Edwards in the summer? Colby probably wonât get another title shot yet and Dana has said Edwards is next for Usman, so Khamzat/Colby would make sense if they both win.
Also, if Khamzat does beat Burns, then Colby, then Usman for the title, then goes up and takes out Izzy does he become the GOAT?
You wrote that there were talks of Max Holloway vs Josh Emmett as the Main Event for March 26th. Was this the ârabbitâ that you previously eluded to?
Also, congrats to you and the team on 6 months since the MMA Hour returned (August 16th, 2021). Shoutout to GC - he has been a great addition to this relaunch.
After all you have done for MMA fans I think itâs time you get a name for your followers⊠Hulk Hogan had the Hulkamaniacs, Justin Bieber had the Beliebers and now ⊠Ariel has the HelwArmy!! There is your next T-shirt đđŒ
Ariel with the release of wwe2k22 does can we get the cover athlete the great rey mysterio on the show. He's my wrestling goat and greatest high flyer where does he stand in your mount Rushmore. Also could you list your favorite rey attires. Mine in no particular order, Halloween havoc (the phantom), summerslam(silver surfer)
Great question! Like would he have still punched an old man, would being more active and consistent in MMA led to him winning more? Would proper 12 been as successful?
I wanted to get your thoughts on the situation that happened with Rogan/ESPN last Saturday? Dana was pretty adamant that it was simply âJoe Rogan didnât workâ but to me it sounded more like ESPN told Dana that Rogan couldnât do the show due to the recent controversy.
Isnât the UFC in charge of the broadcast so I was surprised ESPN could make this call but I do remember they pulled the plug on one of the UFC PPV early in the pandemic as well.
I honestly believe that Rogan was the one who made the choice not to be in the broadcast this time. With all of the controversy surrounding him, he rightfully wanted the focus of the event on the fighters and not on his presence there. I donât see anything wrong with him choosing not to be there. Heâs not obligated to do every PPV and there are plenty of other great commentators like Bisping and Felder. Rogan continues to do his podcast because he has a contract with Spotify and the podcast IS about him, so it does not affect anyone else, different from the UFC events. If Rogan had been at the event, the criticism would have been âwhy was he there?â, âheâs taking the spotlight from the fightersâ, âthe UFC supports racistsâ. I can say a lot of negative things about Rogan but one positive is that he does respect the fighters.
Good morning Ariel, My question this week is where does Robert Whittaker go now? I think itâs clear him and Izzy are ahead of the division but he is not getting another title shot right now. Is he just a gate keeper for a few fights? (I do think he will fight Izzy again). I saw uncle Chael say he should go to a different division.
This weeks handicapped hot take for you Jamahal sweet dreams Hill will become the light heavyweight champion in 2023!
Bobby can be the UFC's co-pro champion and venture out and conquer the champions of the other promotions. Before returning to face AH-DIS-ONYA to determine the lineal champion of champions.
Let me hit you with a Fat Joe quote âyesterdayâs price is not todayâs price!â.
Turning that into a question, what are some of the most noteworthy and transformative performances from fighters that elevated their entire standing on the roster? Truly groundbreaking, momentum shifting stuff.
Gimme at least 3 and you can only pick one from the Notorious.
Had to sneak a second question in hereâŠCody Rhodes leaving AEW and rumors that Shane was let go from WWE? Does he go and âbuyâ AEW like when he âboughtâ WCW?
Jezza Q back again but this week but I have a question from young Danny Q (13 years old) - Do Jorge and Colby shake hands after their fight? If so, why, if not, why?
Best MMA show there is đŻ - shout out to GC, NY Rick, CA and Mysterious Frank
Curious to hear your thoughts on what's next for Rob. I'm not sure wins over Vettori / Strickland / Brunson etc. get Whittaker back in there with Izzy. Even if it's a well-deserved third go, it feels to me like Adesanya/the promotion will go a different direction. You hate to see Rob get stuck beating all would-be contenders until Izzy is calling Darren Till's name off a loss.
I can't help but think Whittaker matches up well against the likes of Glover, Jan, Jiri. Do you think the size gap is too big? Am I just a fanboy here? Or do you think Izzy will remain his mountain to climb?
New subscriber, long-time listener. Thanks for all you do and keep up the great work!
đ Hola Ariel!!!
After UFC 271 I think we have more clarity in the middleweight division. If I were to play matchmaker today in the middleweight division this is how I would proceed with the top 10:
(C)Adesanya x (2)Cannonier
(1)Whittaker x (3)Vettori
(5)Strickland x (5)Costa
(4)Brunson x (7)Hermansson
(8)Till x (9)Hall
Do you agree with the matchups and which ones would you change if any?
Viva Heelwani đŠčđ»ââïž
Yes! Undefeated, the eternal El Cubano.
Undisputed
Brunsonâs âIâm going to fire this thing up for one more fightâ makes me think heâll be a stepping stone for a younger fighter.
Hello Ariel.
With the two big Welterweight fights coming up it got me thinking. Assuming Colby and Chimaev both win, do you think they will be matched up next while Usman fights Edwards in the summer? Colby probably wonât get another title shot yet and Dana has said Edwards is next for Usman, so Khamzat/Colby would make sense if they both win.
Also, if Khamzat does beat Burns, then Colby, then Usman for the title, then goes up and takes out Izzy does he become the GOAT?
You wrote that there were talks of Max Holloway vs Josh Emmett as the Main Event for March 26th. Was this the ârabbitâ that you previously eluded to?
Also, congrats to you and the team on 6 months since the MMA Hour returned (August 16th, 2021). Shoutout to GC - he has been a great addition to this relaunch.
Rabbit to me means SUPER unexpected. I think it would be juicier than a Holloway early return.
Hey Ariel!
After all you have done for MMA fans I think itâs time you get a name for your followers⊠Hulk Hogan had the Hulkamaniacs, Justin Bieber had the Beliebers and now ⊠Ariel has the HelwArmy!! There is your next T-shirt đđŒ
Nose pack
Ariel with the release of wwe2k22 does can we get the cover athlete the great rey mysterio on the show. He's my wrestling goat and greatest high flyer where does he stand in your mount Rushmore. Also could you list your favorite rey attires. Mine in no particular order, Halloween havoc (the phantom), summerslam(silver surfer)
Hog wild (spiderman) , wrestlemania 25 (joker), wrestlemania 27 (captain America)
The nWo are is a special edition cover too? nose World order meets new World order rocks my boat. Nose Pack in this.
Ăa va Ariel!
How do you think conorâs ufc career would have played out post 205 if the floyd fight never materialized
Great question! Like would he have still punched an old man, would being more active and consistent in MMA led to him winning more? Would proper 12 been as successful?
Wouldâve got smashed by Khabib in 2017 then probably again in a rematch.
Good Morning from Idaho!
I wanted to get your thoughts on the situation that happened with Rogan/ESPN last Saturday? Dana was pretty adamant that it was simply âJoe Rogan didnât workâ but to me it sounded more like ESPN told Dana that Rogan couldnât do the show due to the recent controversy.
Isnât the UFC in charge of the broadcast so I was surprised ESPN could make this call but I do remember they pulled the plug on one of the UFC PPV early in the pandemic as well.
Thank you as always!
-Israel D
I honestly believe that Rogan was the one who made the choice not to be in the broadcast this time. With all of the controversy surrounding him, he rightfully wanted the focus of the event on the fighters and not on his presence there. I donât see anything wrong with him choosing not to be there. Heâs not obligated to do every PPV and there are plenty of other great commentators like Bisping and Felder. Rogan continues to do his podcast because he has a contract with Spotify and the podcast IS about him, so it does not affect anyone else, different from the UFC events. If Rogan had been at the event, the criticism would have been âwhy was he there?â, âheâs taking the spotlight from the fightersâ, âthe UFC supports racistsâ. I can say a lot of negative things about Rogan but one positive is that he does respect the fighters.
Joe probably wants to lay low. Not a great look for the Black History Month PPV.
Hi Ariel! Though on Cristiano Ronaldo? And can you please give us a SUIIIIIIIIIIII
Heâs a Messi guy.. pass đ
Ariel, This is a question for GC.
GC, what's your theoretical moneyline for Khamzat vs Kamaru?
Good morning Ariel, My question this week is where does Robert Whittaker go now? I think itâs clear him and Izzy are ahead of the division but he is not getting another title shot right now. Is he just a gate keeper for a few fights? (I do think he will fight Izzy again). I saw uncle Chael say he should go to a different division.
This weeks handicapped hot take for you Jamahal sweet dreams Hill will become the light heavyweight champion in 2023!
Much love - Zack
Bobby can be the UFC's co-pro champion and venture out and conquer the champions of the other promotions. Before returning to face AH-DIS-ONYA to determine the lineal champion of champions.
Which event had the craziest ceremonial weigh-ins that you were at in terms of attendance and buzz?
My man, afternoon Ariel đđ»
Let me hit you with a Fat Joe quote âyesterdayâs price is not todayâs price!â.
Turning that into a question, what are some of the most noteworthy and transformative performances from fighters that elevated their entire standing on the roster? Truly groundbreaking, momentum shifting stuff.
Gimme at least 3 and you can only pick one from the Notorious.
Much love, glad to hear Mama H is on the mend.
Louis
Had to sneak a second question in hereâŠCody Rhodes leaving AEW and rumors that Shane was let go from WWE? Does he go and âbuyâ AEW like when he âboughtâ WCW?
Whatttttsappp Ariel,
Jezza Q back again but this week but I have a question from young Danny Q (13 years old) - Do Jorge and Colby shake hands after their fight? If so, why, if not, why?
Best MMA show there is đŻ - shout out to GC, NY Rick, CA and Mysterious Frank
Hi Ariel,
Curious to hear your thoughts on what's next for Rob. I'm not sure wins over Vettori / Strickland / Brunson etc. get Whittaker back in there with Izzy. Even if it's a well-deserved third go, it feels to me like Adesanya/the promotion will go a different direction. You hate to see Rob get stuck beating all would-be contenders until Izzy is calling Darren Till's name off a loss.
I can't help but think Whittaker matches up well against the likes of Glover, Jan, Jiri. Do you think the size gap is too big? Am I just a fanboy here? Or do you think Izzy will remain his mountain to climb?
New subscriber, long-time listener. Thanks for all you do and keep up the great work!
Marhaba Ariel!!
There has been lots of discussion about the middleweightâs mount rushmore, but how about a mount rushmore for these following divisions:
Lightweight
Welterweight
Heavyweight
Hopefully itâs not a long question.
Viva heelwani!