104 Comments

Hey Ariel, greetings from the Netherlands

2 weeks ago I made it to OnTheNose breaking news about the UFC signing Glory Kickboxing welterweight champion Cédric Doumbé.

Today I have news about his promotional debut.

Last weekend got announced that Doumbé is set to fight Darian Weeks at UFC Paris on September 3rd. What do you think of this matchup? I think Darian Weeks is a pretty good wrestler.

I attended UFC London last weekend and had a great time, meeting a lot of fighters. I even made it to the international television broadcast standing behind Michael Chandler, Joanna and MVP. The atmosphere at the O2 Arena was like I’ve never seen before.

I’ll go to UFC Paris aswell, hopefully I’ll have a good time again, looking forward to it!

Viva Helwani

Expand full comment

Hi Ariel, no question just a comment to say a huge thanks. For all that you do, and for bringing me into a wonderful community. I’m clearly still on a high after attending my first UFC event in London, and wanna shout out everyone I met there (Amber, Troy, Nim and Ross), our guy Petesy for the post show show, and pals in the Telegram chats. Love you all 💚🫶🏻

Expand full comment

I like this comment :)

Expand full comment

Thanks! :)

Expand full comment

Love you too lovely Angela 😊🙌🙌🙌💕💕💕💕💕💕💕👍🏽

Expand full comment

Hello Ariel!

When discussing possible next opponents for Paddy Pimblett, you suggested someone like Jamie Mullarkey. With all due respect, I think that’s a bunch of malarkey. I want to see Paddy vs T-Wrecks Terrence McKinney at MSG after McKinney gets another first round finish next Saturday!

Dana mentioned that the next step would be for Paddy and Molly to fight in NYC or Boston. With both mentioning they don’t want to pay NY taxes, do you think their relationship with Boston-based Barstool Sports will influence their next fight location and have them headline a fight night in Boston instead of being on the PPV at MSG?

Also, last week in response to my question you mentioned how the real Newman, aka the legendary Wayne Knight, follows you on social media and may be a fan of the show. I am not him, but I did name myself after his Newman character. Shout out to Wayne Knight if he’s tuned in!!

Expand full comment

Hi Ariel,

Shalom from Toronto, Canada!

What do you think of the progress of Usman Nurmagomedov? In your opinion, what should be his next career move?

Expand full comment

I really like Usman. He’s seems like more of an all rounder. But still a beast. 💪🏻

Expand full comment

Hot take: Usman Nurmagomedov will be the GOAT of MMA by the time his career is over!

Expand full comment

He looks very promising!!!

How many fights does he have remaining under his Bellator contract?

Expand full comment

I’m not sure but we need to see him against some better competition ASAP!

Expand full comment

Hallo Ariel,

Simple one this week, is it possible to have Jon Jones on the show ? Or is he still mad at you or dislikes you because of your friendship with DC?

I would like to hear from him and his current state.

Greetings from Germany my man

Expand full comment

Jon is super petty. Don’t count on that one.

Expand full comment

I was just thinking that this week. You ever notice how he dogs on people -Blaydes most recently- for piling on him, counting him out, not wishing him success, etc.

If you are ever sure if someone is a narcissist, ask yourself how many of their actions fit distinctly into: Charm, rage, or pity. Jon is constantly oscillating between these three.

Expand full comment

Good one

Expand full comment

Long time listener, first time question asker. Did you see Dana White’s appearance on the Pat McAfee Show? If so, what were your thoughts on what he said about fighter pay and the MMA media (i.e. calling them scumbags)?

Expand full comment

Honestly this isn’t even a question I just wanted to let you know that your hot take (literally) about AC and weather was genuinely the worst take i’ve ever heard in the history of this show… borderline insanity

Expand full comment

Hey Ariel,

Do you think it's a mistake for Sean O'Malley to fight Petr Yan? I understand Sean has looked good lately.

But so did Kevin Holland when he won 5 fights in a year. But once he fought the top of the division he no longer looked like a world beater.

Same with Edmen Shahbazyan. Everyone assumed he was the next champion, but now is on a 3 fight loosing skid.

Do you think Sean should have taken his time before fighting Yan? Will loosing hurt his reputation? He is much bigger today than he was 2 years ago when he lost to Chito.

Big fan.

Expand full comment

Hi Ariel,

On Mondays show, you were empathizing with Nathaniel Wood because he didn’t get a FOTN bonus. Instead, the UFC decided to give the bonuses to each fighter who got finishes, which seems like a recurring theme this summer and an idea you’ve championed recently as well. So my question is whether you still feel that the UFC should only hand out bonuses to the fighters who get finishes if it means that potential FOTN's like Wood vs. Rosa are left out more often as a result?

Expand full comment

Juicy Question Number 2 of 10

Firstly , good answer to couple weeks ago ESPN shill question. Let me start by giving myself the ol Barry H for drawing out the el Passion from you Ariel and spicing up these dull questions.

Now for the question of this week.

There's probably nobody in this sport bar Dana that I dislike more than Matt Sera and you quite correctly refer to his pod as UFC Filtered. What a sham of a thing. Ok fine. But lets not pretend DC and Helwani wasn't equally Filtered(Come on Man ) . Man you and DC couldn't say anything controversial in the slightest and that sucked. I know thats how it works at ESPN but the product suffered greatly in my opinion. Hence why Luke and BC got so popular during that time. they were refreshing compared to DC and Helwani.

So happy now you are away from ESPN and spitting facts and not biting your tongue.

I know you loved that show and DC is great and all but Id be shocked if anyone here preferred that show to this current set up on MMAFighting (which is tremendous) .

My question is how filtered were you guys exactly and was it as much as Matt Sera? and also how much you get paid extra for those dreadful modelo adverts every damn time ; )

Again much love. No Offense. I've got a doozy for next week. Stay hydrated.

NoSoupForYou

Expand full comment

Hi Ariel, greetings from Toronto Canada. Coming off of your interview with Khamzat, has there ever been an interview you’ve done with a fighter that made you nervous because he/she were scary (or you didn’t know what to expect from them)?

Expand full comment

Hey Ariel,

In literally every one of Jon Jones' USADA cases, independent arbitration ruled that he did not intentionally cheat and that the amount of banned substances found in his body could not have impacted his performance. Why do you believe so many people never mention this when talking about the subject and his place in GOAT debates? Is it not widely known? Or do you believe any irregular drug test results will irreparably harm someone's legacy despite what extra information follows?

Source/Timeline of Each Jones Case: https://www.mmanews.com/2021/12/the-hidden-asterisks-behind-jon-joness-drug-test-history-2/

Expand full comment

Shalom Ariel,

I know it’s a different circumstance, but why has the ufc done a legend like Diaz dirty like this? Makes little sense since Dana has gone on record saying he tries to do the best for the guys from the first few TUF seasons.

Hope your kids had a great time at camp, some of my favorite childhood summers were spent at one.

Expand full comment

Ariel, wouldnt you say that it could make for quite a iconic moment if Nate were to be the last walkout of 279?? He usually picks very good songs that may fit the moment best, like at 263 when the recent passing of DMX occurred he came out to one of his songs, I like to think as a tribute, any chance he would be the last walkout of the night???

Expand full comment

Hello, hello. Do you think we'll ever see the UFC get back to letting the fighters where whatever they want? I can only imagine the endless sponsorship opportunities. Lipton teabags for Paddy, Howler Head for Molly, probably a million plus in ads on Conor's fight kit from the likes of Richard Millie, Lamborghini, etc. Why not let Suga walk out with some rainbow shorts with a big pot leaf? Or Colby with some MAGA shorts?

Expand full comment

I think I know what the #MysteriousStain was. Maybe Frank slept with his arm across his chest leaving the sweat stain?

Expand full comment