Happy Wednesday Tuesday aka On the Nose day! Yes, we’re doing Monday/Tuesday this week because I have a fight week to get to in Arizona. I sure hope you don’t mind. As always, hit me with your best questions below. As always, everything and anything goes.
Last week you and GC proclaimed that Mr. Rogers was an ex-military sniper who hides his tattoos. When I heard this I thought it to be exceptionally odd, so after a quick 30 second Google search I found this to be completely fake news and a thoroughly debunked urban legend. Mr. Rogers was never in the military, he was not a sniper, and no he's not hiding any tats behind his cardigan.
Now that we cleared that up, my question is with Islam vs Volk as good as signed, we yet again have a situation where Beneil is put on the back burner after another impressive victory over someone in Mateusz Gamrot, who Khabib himself was touting as the #2 guy behind Islam. Considering Beneil's 8 fight win streak, what do you think he should do next? Sit and wait for the winner of Islam/Volk? Or does he fight Oliveira, or the winner of Poirier/Chandler?
Thanks for being the #1 show in the game and Happy Diwali!
What is up Ariel, wow what a fun afternoon of fights it was on Saturday. So, because Bantamweight is so stacked and has an abundance of potential title challengers at the top, there isn’t a true clear-cut number one contender to fight Aljamain next. Dana seemed to entertain the idea of Henry Cejudo at the post-fight presser. But I really have had a hard time believing that Henry truly wants to fight. Feels to me like Henry’s value of himself and the UFC’s value of him, are astronomically far apart. I just don’t see him actually taking a fight, because he believes he deserves more/better. And that leads me to my question. What do you feel is more likely to happen…Henry Cejudo fights for the Bantamweight belt or Helwani gets the ole invite to the next GC & Mysterious Frank apartment watch party?
I still can’t wrap my mind around the seriousness of MMA’s intersection with geopolitics. For Khamzat to appear at UFC 280 with Ramzan Kadyrov’s son, especially after the horrifying video that came out earlier this week of Kadyrov’s son ‘gifting’ their father three Ukrainian POWs, just seems like a long-term recipe for disaster for...somebody?
I know Dana White likes to talk about how “anybody can say anything they want at the UFC”. But that has to have a limit, right? The UFC roster has fighters with diverse sexual orientations - some of whom, would be executed by Kadyrov’s regime simply for being. I get that Chimaev is Chechen, but there has to be a point where the UFC says “Khamzat, chill out and don’t publicize this so much” right?
I’m bothered that other UFC fighters from different countries, often Abdelaziz’ clients, have looked the other way and simply gone and propped up this warlord’s sports propaganda by visiting his gym, taking photo ops, and making him look like somebody that hasn’t violated hundreds of human rights. I know it’s a sensitive issue and I can’t blame somebody for being from where they’re from or having different views/opinions, but I’m really just concerned at the UFC’s lack of sensitivity on the subject and look the other way attitude. Thoughts?
According to the ufc roster watch twitter page, Gregor Gillespie was cut from the ufc months ago. Is this true? Mike Heck is still matchmaking for him and I want to know the truth!!!
If your scenario happens of Charles v. Beneil at Rio and volk v. Islam in Feb, if beniel wins, they'd have to give it to him no matter who wins but what if Islam and Charles win would the rematch happen that quick?? I wouldn't mind but I don't know if other ppl would feel the same... unlikely but maybe sit beniel out until winner of February then book him next a few months later, and have Charles get someone else in rio, I know noone else really makes sense but maybe give him someone else whos ranked and then have him be conors return bout, and after he destroys him then go back to the title??
2.) Do you know what the ppv buys for ufc 279 was? If not with who or where can these numbers be found?
Saddest news of the weekend was GC and Mysterious Frank showing up too early for brunch. What a heartbreaking moment. But it got me thinking about enjoying some great breakfast food. So here the question: what are you choosing on a Saturday morning, Waffle House or Denny’s?
I know you have a pretty good relationship with DC, but I was curious about your opinion on him doing the commentary on cards where training partners/friends of him are fighting. It always feels like he’s biased (understandably so), but it seems unfair to their opponents (Charles this weekend)
Ariel people are forgetting how fast Volk is. Let’s see how good Makachev is after he gets punched in the head 10 times in the first 2 minutes. Please for the Aussie fans, can you cut us a Volkanovski promo.
Hello MMA Hour Family! I jumped on the bandwagon a couple months back and can’t thank you all enough for the insightful, entertaining, and all around stellar combat sports content.
Now to the question. It isn’t uncommon to hear “McGregor is the money fight” or “Masvidal is the money fight”, but I have also heard Dana say multiple times that a fighter has a contract and will fight for their contracted price. Is it as simple as when someone gets a big fight against Connor or Jorge that they will renegotiate their contract and get a bigger payday, or are people referring to the stardom and opportunities that will come as a result of fighting and/or beating these big name stars? I understand you have to be a big name to be in the conversation for these “money fights”, but I find it hard to believe sometimes that Dana will just willingly renegotiate.
Do you think the UFC's matchmaking is based more on merit or entertainment? As a more hardcore fan, I'm frustrated that Benny Dariush is on an 8 fight win-streak yet isn't even being considered for a title shot now that Volk wants one. I understand that he isn't the biggest draw, but I am overall concerned that the UFC is leans more towards matchmaking for the Layman's of the sport instead while further sacrificing the meritocracy aspect of MMA.
What is your opinion on Sambo in MMA? Your good friend Chael Sonnen was very dismissive of its effectiveness. In UFC 280 main event, a Sambo guy submitted a BJJ guy…
After Yan vs Sterling 2 the narrative around him taking a fight against TJ was so he'd have a guaranteed villain to be the hero against, and he'd get some more fans on his side. Now the fight is over, do you think this was the case? And if (like me) you don't, what can Aljo do to become a bigger draw? I think he has really cool offensive grappling and wrestling, he's got a pretty good line up of potential interesting defences, and I genuinely believe he's being himself. Maybe new management? Or more attention from the ufc? What do you think? Happy Tuesday from Norway!
This weekends card is full of young and upcoming talent with their whole future still ahead of them. Unlike the rest of the card, “The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski is making his walk to his 55th professional fight (39th time in the UFC). With being a pioneer in the sport, previously holding the UFC Heavyweight championship, his longevity, and still winning this late in his career (winning 6 of his last 7 fights) is there any doubt whatsoever that Andrei Arlovski should be in the UFC Hall of Fame?
With reports coming out that CM Punk is going to be bought out and released from AEW I wanted to know what you thought of his overall legacy in Wrestling. It seems like no matter where he goes he never leaves on good terms.
Second, although I agree with some of your more critical opinions of AEW recently. I would like to hear what GM Helwani would do different to get the train back on the tracks. Putting MJF in the title picture is a step in the right direction but they seem to stumble when pushing other young stars.
Bonjour Lord Ariel,
Last week you and GC proclaimed that Mr. Rogers was an ex-military sniper who hides his tattoos. When I heard this I thought it to be exceptionally odd, so after a quick 30 second Google search I found this to be completely fake news and a thoroughly debunked urban legend. Mr. Rogers was never in the military, he was not a sniper, and no he's not hiding any tats behind his cardigan.
Now that we cleared that up, my question is with Islam vs Volk as good as signed, we yet again have a situation where Beneil is put on the back burner after another impressive victory over someone in Mateusz Gamrot, who Khabib himself was touting as the #2 guy behind Islam. Considering Beneil's 8 fight win streak, what do you think he should do next? Sit and wait for the winner of Islam/Volk? Or does he fight Oliveira, or the winner of Poirier/Chandler?
Thanks for being the #1 show in the game and Happy Diwali!
What is up Ariel, wow what a fun afternoon of fights it was on Saturday. So, because Bantamweight is so stacked and has an abundance of potential title challengers at the top, there isn’t a true clear-cut number one contender to fight Aljamain next. Dana seemed to entertain the idea of Henry Cejudo at the post-fight presser. But I really have had a hard time believing that Henry truly wants to fight. Feels to me like Henry’s value of himself and the UFC’s value of him, are astronomically far apart. I just don’t see him actually taking a fight, because he believes he deserves more/better. And that leads me to my question. What do you feel is more likely to happen…Henry Cejudo fights for the Bantamweight belt or Helwani gets the ole invite to the next GC & Mysterious Frank apartment watch party?
Hi Ariel,
I still can’t wrap my mind around the seriousness of MMA’s intersection with geopolitics. For Khamzat to appear at UFC 280 with Ramzan Kadyrov’s son, especially after the horrifying video that came out earlier this week of Kadyrov’s son ‘gifting’ their father three Ukrainian POWs, just seems like a long-term recipe for disaster for...somebody?
I know Dana White likes to talk about how “anybody can say anything they want at the UFC”. But that has to have a limit, right? The UFC roster has fighters with diverse sexual orientations - some of whom, would be executed by Kadyrov’s regime simply for being. I get that Chimaev is Chechen, but there has to be a point where the UFC says “Khamzat, chill out and don’t publicize this so much” right?
I’m bothered that other UFC fighters from different countries, often Abdelaziz’ clients, have looked the other way and simply gone and propped up this warlord’s sports propaganda by visiting his gym, taking photo ops, and making him look like somebody that hasn’t violated hundreds of human rights. I know it’s a sensitive issue and I can’t blame somebody for being from where they’re from or having different views/opinions, but I’m really just concerned at the UFC’s lack of sensitivity on the subject and look the other way attitude. Thoughts?
According to the ufc roster watch twitter page, Gregor Gillespie was cut from the ufc months ago. Is this true? Mike Heck is still matchmaking for him and I want to know the truth!!!
Hello, a couple questions today:
1.)
If your scenario happens of Charles v. Beneil at Rio and volk v. Islam in Feb, if beniel wins, they'd have to give it to him no matter who wins but what if Islam and Charles win would the rematch happen that quick?? I wouldn't mind but I don't know if other ppl would feel the same... unlikely but maybe sit beniel out until winner of February then book him next a few months later, and have Charles get someone else in rio, I know noone else really makes sense but maybe give him someone else whos ranked and then have him be conors return bout, and after he destroys him then go back to the title??
2.) Do you know what the ppv buys for ufc 279 was? If not with who or where can these numbers be found?
Saddest news of the weekend was GC and Mysterious Frank showing up too early for brunch. What a heartbreaking moment. But it got me thinking about enjoying some great breakfast food. So here the question: what are you choosing on a Saturday morning, Waffle House or Denny’s?
Hallo Ariel
I know you have a pretty good relationship with DC, but I was curious about your opinion on him doing the commentary on cards where training partners/friends of him are fighting. It always feels like he’s biased (understandably so), but it seems unfair to their opponents (Charles this weekend)
What’s your opinion on that ?
Greetings from Germany my man
Ariel people are forgetting how fast Volk is. Let’s see how good Makachev is after he gets punched in the head 10 times in the first 2 minutes. Please for the Aussie fans, can you cut us a Volkanovski promo.
Good day Ariel,
Quick one: is Dan Hardy being unfairly maligned?
Also a shoutout to my teammate Steven 'the Hillbilly Hammer' Hill, who makes his Bellator debut in Milan this weekend. One to watch.
Hello MMA Hour Family! I jumped on the bandwagon a couple months back and can’t thank you all enough for the insightful, entertaining, and all around stellar combat sports content.
Now to the question. It isn’t uncommon to hear “McGregor is the money fight” or “Masvidal is the money fight”, but I have also heard Dana say multiple times that a fighter has a contract and will fight for their contracted price. Is it as simple as when someone gets a big fight against Connor or Jorge that they will renegotiate their contract and get a bigger payday, or are people referring to the stardom and opportunities that will come as a result of fighting and/or beating these big name stars? I understand you have to be a big name to be in the conversation for these “money fights”, but I find it hard to believe sometimes that Dana will just willingly renegotiate.
Thank you all again!
Shalom Ariel,
Do you think the UFC's matchmaking is based more on merit or entertainment? As a more hardcore fan, I'm frustrated that Benny Dariush is on an 8 fight win-streak yet isn't even being considered for a title shot now that Volk wants one. I understand that he isn't the biggest draw, but I am overall concerned that the UFC is leans more towards matchmaking for the Layman's of the sport instead while further sacrificing the meritocracy aspect of MMA.
Thanks,
A fellow large-nosed comrade
Gabe
Shalom Ariel!
What is your opinion on Sambo in MMA? Your good friend Chael Sonnen was very dismissive of its effectiveness. In UFC 280 main event, a Sambo guy submitted a BJJ guy…
Dear Louis,
After Yan vs Sterling 2 the narrative around him taking a fight against TJ was so he'd have a guaranteed villain to be the hero against, and he'd get some more fans on his side. Now the fight is over, do you think this was the case? And if (like me) you don't, what can Aljo do to become a bigger draw? I think he has really cool offensive grappling and wrestling, he's got a pretty good line up of potential interesting defences, and I genuinely believe he's being himself. Maybe new management? Or more attention from the ufc? What do you think? Happy Tuesday from Norway!
¡Hola Ariel!
We always love when you show us some things behind the scenes, so curious: who is Louis Gilmore and how did you two get connected?
Thanks Louis and ¡Viva Helwani!
👋 Hola Ariel!!!
This weekends card is full of young and upcoming talent with their whole future still ahead of them. Unlike the rest of the card, “The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski is making his walk to his 55th professional fight (39th time in the UFC). With being a pioneer in the sport, previously holding the UFC Heavyweight championship, his longevity, and still winning this late in his career (winning 6 of his last 7 fights) is there any doubt whatsoever that Andrei Arlovski should be in the UFC Hall of Fame?
Viva Heelwani 🦹🏻♂️
Good day Ariel,
Two quick ones.
With reports coming out that CM Punk is going to be bought out and released from AEW I wanted to know what you thought of his overall legacy in Wrestling. It seems like no matter where he goes he never leaves on good terms.
Second, although I agree with some of your more critical opinions of AEW recently. I would like to hear what GM Helwani would do different to get the train back on the tracks. Putting MJF in the title picture is a step in the right direction but they seem to stumble when pushing other young stars.