I have seen you do the thing recently where you drop hints indirectly and recently you've been talking about aspinall jones and how more likely you think its gonna happen given its a renegotiation year and that jones needs 6 months and that there was talks of august. Be honest with us Mr Helwani, what do you know?
You talked about having a call in segment. Curious your thoughts on Howard sterns call in segment where the proclaimed serial came on air and confessed to his crimes while live on Howard Stern’s show?
Curious what your take on that clip is and how Stern handled it? Also, how would react to something like that if you guys decided to do a “call in” segment?
Is it possible the UFC actually doesn’t mind not having a huge mega star? Conor is bigger than the UFC and has been for awhile but maybe they don’t like stars having that much power/sway and want them to have to rely on the UFC, not the other way around.
I keep hearing MMA folks say the GFL isn’t real, but I checked Tapology and saw that the Gladiadores Fight League has already held eight events!
On a serious note, I remember they were aiming for their first event in April—now that we’re just a month away, do you think this will actually happen? When can we expect a real announcement? Are you still waiting to see how it unfolds, or do you have some inside info?
I’ve been protecting my neck all this time, but I should have been protecting my heart—because it’s broken.
I was listening to MMAFighting's 'Damn! They Were Good' episode on Ronda Rousey this week—NYR was great on it, by the way.
Hearing about what Ronda accomplished INSIDE THE CAGE really made me think of Big Tommy Aspinall. When you compare their records, the similarities are striking—am I off base here?
That said, I know Tom will never reach Ronda’s level of mainstream fame, she was the perfect combo for outside and inside the cage greatness, but what can he do to grow his profile? Does he even need to? Should the UFC do more to promote its champions, or is the sport just too unpredictable for that?
Hola Ariel! I’m a Travis Scott fan but didn’t enjoy his involvement at elimination chamber, mainly because he was just standing around. Don’t you think he should be showing more energy going forward?
Hello Ariel and the boys, do y’all think Suga Shane will move up weight if he isn’t able to regain his title from Merab?
How would he contend against some of the top at FW? Regardless of title contention I think some of the matchups their are firework material ALA Jean Silva, Diego Lopes, Josh Emmet, etc.
Hello from Dublin. I'll be going to my first UFC event in London this weekend and with no family or friends really into MMA enough to pay the very high ticket price, I'm going over on my own. Any advice for a solo attendee at a UFC event?
Thanks!
P.S. shout out to Petesy for all his coverage on Irish MMA related news. He's handled some very complicated and sensitive non sport related topics with alot of decorum. He's done a great job reporting on a certain inactive fighter fairly, when many (including myself) would be unable to disguise our personal feelings towards the man.
How do you think Jon Jones’ legacy would be affected if he loses to Tom Aspinall in a potential unification fight this year? Do you think he would opt for an instant rematch or would he just say “Bye Felicia” and sail off into the sunset? Should he win, who else is there out there for him that’s a challenge now that Alex has shown some weakness.
Either way I’m thinking, when one door closes another one opens what ever the outcome! Thoughts?
Another bad Eric take… said that when you reference someone looking like someone else, it is almost never the case. You can’t tell me that Baylor’s football head coach isn’t Robbie Lawler’s identical twin. Quick google search, you won’t be disappointed. 4th photo in with his headphones on. Come on Eric, don’t try to disagree!
Ariel, you have to fire one and you have to give one a raise. Who are your picks between:
-Ric
-GC
-Frank
-Petesy
What type of things are you considering in this decision? Purely contributions and impact on the show? Replaceability? Or does friendship and loyalty play the biggest part?
Maybe this needs to be a monthly segment to help light a fire under the weakest link?
It seems like Alex will be running it back with Ank for the 205 title but did no one learn with what just happened with Ilia? The UFC clearly doesn’t like people holding up two divisions so even if Alex wins the 205 title again, wouldn’t he just have to vacate if he ends up wanting to challenge for the HW belt? I know they may be flexible given off Alex but going straight up to HW now just seems easier no?
At this point its looking like Jones is pricing himself out of the Aspinall fight. Or possibly the Pereira fight was holding things up and now that he's lost they have just started actual negotiations, or perhaps Jons doesn't care Pereira lost and still wants the Pereira fight who knows.
Personally i think Jon is the GOAT either way, but my question is. what do you guys think actually hurts Jon's legacy more, If he fights Aspinall and loses a close fight, not fighting him at all and retiring without another fight or third option, fighting someone else then retiring without fighting Aspinall?
Ariel - To add to the argument that the UFC has too few stars, I just bought a blaster box of Topps UFC Finest to open during this weekends card. What a waste of money. The most notable fighter card I got was a Green Glitter Refractor Chelsea Chandler and a numbered Jack Jenkins....wtf.
Q - GC - Are you still ripping packs? thank you love the show
Hi Ariel,
I have seen you do the thing recently where you drop hints indirectly and recently you've been talking about aspinall jones and how more likely you think its gonna happen given its a renegotiation year and that jones needs 6 months and that there was talks of august. Be honest with us Mr Helwani, what do you know?
Hey guys,
With all the talk around the Apex, would you rather:
Watch UFC 314 if it was in the Apex
Or
Watch the Emmett vs Murphy card if it was in an arena
Kevin
Hey Ariel,
You talked about having a call in segment. Curious your thoughts on Howard sterns call in segment where the proclaimed serial came on air and confessed to his crimes while live on Howard Stern’s show?
Curious what your take on that clip is and how Stern handled it? Also, how would react to something like that if you guys decided to do a “call in” segment?
Thanks GOAT
Hey Ariel,
Is it possible the UFC actually doesn’t mind not having a huge mega star? Conor is bigger than the UFC and has been for awhile but maybe they don’t like stars having that much power/sway and want them to have to rely on the UFC, not the other way around.
Thanks,
Connor
Shalom, Uncle Helwani,
I keep hearing MMA folks say the GFL isn’t real, but I checked Tapology and saw that the Gladiadores Fight League has already held eight events!
On a serious note, I remember they were aiming for their first event in April—now that we’re just a month away, do you think this will actually happen? When can we expect a real announcement? Are you still waiting to see how it unfolds, or do you have some inside info?
I’ve been protecting my neck all this time, but I should have been protecting my heart—because it’s broken.
Hey Unc!
I was listening to MMAFighting's 'Damn! They Were Good' episode on Ronda Rousey this week—NYR was great on it, by the way.
Hearing about what Ronda accomplished INSIDE THE CAGE really made me think of Big Tommy Aspinall. When you compare their records, the similarities are striking—am I off base here?
That said, I know Tom will never reach Ronda’s level of mainstream fame, she was the perfect combo for outside and inside the cage greatness, but what can he do to grow his profile? Does he even need to? Should the UFC do more to promote its champions, or is the sport just too unpredictable for that?
Hola Ariel! I’m a Travis Scott fan but didn’t enjoy his involvement at elimination chamber, mainly because he was just standing around. Don’t you think he should be showing more energy going forward?
I think he should leave the wrestling to the wrestlers. Less of him, going forward, would be ideal.
Hello Ariel and the boys, do y’all think Suga Shane will move up weight if he isn’t able to regain his title from Merab?
How would he contend against some of the top at FW? Regardless of title contention I think some of the matchups their are firework material ALA Jean Silva, Diego Lopes, Josh Emmet, etc.
Hi Lads,
Hello from Dublin. I'll be going to my first UFC event in London this weekend and with no family or friends really into MMA enough to pay the very high ticket price, I'm going over on my own. Any advice for a solo attendee at a UFC event?
Thanks!
P.S. shout out to Petesy for all his coverage on Irish MMA related news. He's handled some very complicated and sensitive non sport related topics with alot of decorum. He's done a great job reporting on a certain inactive fighter fairly, when many (including myself) would be unable to disguise our personal feelings towards the man.
Going solo is awesome. Everyone there for the fights and you won’t be out of place at all. Mates will be all abound. Cheers
Ariel and crew.
Happy National Automatic Door Day!!
How do you think Jon Jones’ legacy would be affected if he loses to Tom Aspinall in a potential unification fight this year? Do you think he would opt for an instant rematch or would he just say “Bye Felicia” and sail off into the sunset? Should he win, who else is there out there for him that’s a challenge now that Alex has shown some weakness.
Either way I’m thinking, when one door closes another one opens what ever the outcome! Thoughts?
Quick hitter,
Another bad Eric take… said that when you reference someone looking like someone else, it is almost never the case. You can’t tell me that Baylor’s football head coach isn’t Robbie Lawler’s identical twin. Quick google search, you won’t be disappointed. 4th photo in with his headphones on. Come on Eric, don’t try to disagree!
Ariel, you have to fire one and you have to give one a raise. Who are your picks between:
-Ric
-GC
-Frank
-Petesy
What type of things are you considering in this decision? Purely contributions and impact on the show? Replaceability? Or does friendship and loyalty play the biggest part?
Maybe this needs to be a monthly segment to help light a fire under the weakest link?
We need less stupid questions like this on the show
Thanks Ariel for the motivating words for Sunday’s marathon. Hit a pb with a sub 3.30 time 🫡
My question this week is a 2 parter around your management of the team. How have you found going from a small show to now managing multiple people?
Have you ever found it difficult having to demand more from a team member?
Hey Ariel,
It seems like Alex will be running it back with Ank for the 205 title but did no one learn with what just happened with Ilia? The UFC clearly doesn’t like people holding up two divisions so even if Alex wins the 205 title again, wouldn’t he just have to vacate if he ends up wanting to challenge for the HW belt? I know they may be flexible given off Alex but going straight up to HW now just seems easier no?
Thanks,
Connor
Question for everyone
At this point its looking like Jones is pricing himself out of the Aspinall fight. Or possibly the Pereira fight was holding things up and now that he's lost they have just started actual negotiations, or perhaps Jons doesn't care Pereira lost and still wants the Pereira fight who knows.
Personally i think Jon is the GOAT either way, but my question is. what do you guys think actually hurts Jon's legacy more, If he fights Aspinall and loses a close fight, not fighting him at all and retiring without another fight or third option, fighting someone else then retiring without fighting Aspinall?
Ariel - To add to the argument that the UFC has too few stars, I just bought a blaster box of Topps UFC Finest to open during this weekends card. What a waste of money. The most notable fighter card I got was a Green Glitter Refractor Chelsea Chandler and a numbered Jack Jenkins....wtf.
Q - GC - Are you still ripping packs? thank you love the show