Happy Tuesday! Welcome to the final On the Nose question solicitation of 2022! Thanks for making this segment so worthwhile. As always, hit me with your best questions below. As always, everything and anything goes. I’ll answer ‘em on Wednesday’s show.
6 months ago my fiancée broke up with me and it’s been one of the hardest periods of my life. Watching the show has lifted me up so many times and one of my favourite moments was Leon’s post fight speech, and it really lifted me up. What moment in 2022, mma or non mma related has touched you the most / inspired you?
Hi Ariel, you've made this gripe in the past about how the UFC announces fights before fighters have even signed the contract as some sort of negotiation tactic while also taking the fighters ability to announce it themselves after they signed. I wanted to know your thoughts on the Paulo Costa/Robert Whittaker situation. I think this is the first instance I've ever seen of a fighter pushing back to the point where they pulled the fight off the card, especially a big PPV only a month or so away. A big thank you to you and the rest of the MMA crew for all that you do and happy holidays! -Ian
You have control over bringing the Expos back to Montreal but this meant the Bills had to trade away Josh Allen to the Patriots ... Everyone would be aware that it was you that made this happen.. do you do it ??
Does the increasingly bloated roster harm the UFC as a product? It’s obvious contender series is a vehicle to get cheap talent to meet the ESPN quota, but the UFC seems to be embracing this model by actively signing and trying to develop individuals like Rosas Jr. who, while talented, are not the kind of finished products the UFC should be taking in (in my opinion).
As we look to 2023, who is your sleeper fighter to make a run and finish next year as a new UFC champion or Top Contender? Who will emerge from the end of the rankings or the unranked “waywork” (sorry, Frank) like Poatan Pereira (unranked December 2021), Sergei Pavlovich #2, if Stipe is unceremoniously retired, (#15 December 2021), Manon Fiorot #1 (#14 December 2021)? My pick is Jailton Almeida to make a deep run at heavyweight.
Thanks to you and the whole crew for a great 2022; see you all in 2023!
With the news that the Whittaker vs Costa fight isn’t happening, I was wondering what is next for both of them? Whittaker has beaten every middleweight in the top 5 except Izzy and Alex. I think he deserves another shot at the title even without winning another fight.
What do you think ?
And what’s the issue with costa ?
Greetings from Germany my man and happy holidays to you and the whole crew!
What is up Ariel. First full year of the show being back and it was great. Thank you and the boys and everyone behind the cameras for what they do. My question is in regards to yesterday’s news of the Whittaker x Costa fight not happening. We know the UFC prematurely announces fights like this to pressure the fighters to just accept their current contract terms, but with Paulo sticking to his guns, do you ever see it possible that, to avoid losing big fights like this, the company will stop announcing the fights early or will actually pay a more respectable fight purse to guys like Paulo?
I don’t have a question today, instead I’d like to say Happy Holidays to you and your family, and to the entire MMA hour team as well. Thank you for all of the great content you have created this year.
Also, I have breaking news, Frank! My wife is pregnant with our first child, and we are expecting a baby boy in June 2023! I look forward to introducing him to the crazy world of MMA when he’s old enough.
Happy holidays to my favorite show/podcast crew! What are each of your hopes/wishes for next year? Any big personal or career goals/milestones you’re hoping to achieve?
This has been the best year in the show’s long history and I hope everyone sticks around for years to come! So Vox Media, please keep these guys/gals happy! Much love from Northern California.
Do you guys think fighter drama outside the octagon (mainly in ufc) is going to start having a negative effect on mma? I’ve been watchin/doing mma all my life and I’m getting fed up with people like Conor McGregor and paddy pimblett using their platform irresponsibly and being put on pedestals by the ufc no matter what they do outside of the octagon.
Hello, fan since 2011 but first time asking a question. I believe you when you say that no one told you to not share the news about Brock Lesnar fighting at UFC 200 and the narrative the UFC staff, for lack of a better term, tried to put out about people losing their jobs if it gets out was false. However, something I've wondered for a long time is this, did only a select few people know about that news? If they did were any NDAs in play? Last and most importantly, how did you learn of it and then confirm that news? Keep going, love your work!
Happy Holidays!!
Question for MF! How long do you plan on being mysterious for and will you ever do a face reveal live on the MMA Hour?
As an audio guy what is the biggest Audio blunder you had to deal with that still haunts you to this day?
Thanks,
Happy Holidays fam
Hi Ariel,
6 months ago my fiancée broke up with me and it’s been one of the hardest periods of my life. Watching the show has lifted me up so many times and one of my favourite moments was Leon’s post fight speech, and it really lifted me up. What moment in 2022, mma or non mma related has touched you the most / inspired you?
Mazal tov,
Aarash
Happy Hanukkah Ariel!
In the order of your preference, what are your top five favorite memories of 2022 -- either MMA or Non-MMA-related?
Hi Ariel, you've made this gripe in the past about how the UFC announces fights before fighters have even signed the contract as some sort of negotiation tactic while also taking the fighters ability to announce it themselves after they signed. I wanted to know your thoughts on the Paulo Costa/Robert Whittaker situation. I think this is the first instance I've ever seen of a fighter pushing back to the point where they pulled the fight off the card, especially a big PPV only a month or so away. A big thank you to you and the rest of the MMA crew for all that you do and happy holidays! -Ian
Hola Ariel,
With Thailo and Blanchfield getting matched up, does this all but confirm that the Bullet will fight either Nunes or Zhang next?
You have control over bringing the Expos back to Montreal but this meant the Bills had to trade away Josh Allen to the Patriots ... Everyone would be aware that it was you that made this happen.. do you do it ??
#hometownhero or #billsmafia ?
Does the increasingly bloated roster harm the UFC as a product? It’s obvious contender series is a vehicle to get cheap talent to meet the ESPN quota, but the UFC seems to be embracing this model by actively signing and trying to develop individuals like Rosas Jr. who, while talented, are not the kind of finished products the UFC should be taking in (in my opinion).
Shalom Ariel & Crew,
As we look to 2023, who is your sleeper fighter to make a run and finish next year as a new UFC champion or Top Contender? Who will emerge from the end of the rankings or the unranked “waywork” (sorry, Frank) like Poatan Pereira (unranked December 2021), Sergei Pavlovich #2, if Stipe is unceremoniously retired, (#15 December 2021), Manon Fiorot #1 (#14 December 2021)? My pick is Jailton Almeida to make a deep run at heavyweight.
Thanks to you and the whole crew for a great 2022; see you all in 2023!
--
King Tyler
Happy Holidays Ariel, Frank, GC, and NY Ric! Thanks for the relief from mundanity on Mondays / Wednesdays.
As we head into a new year, I'd like for each of you (if available) to give me your boldest prediction for MMA in 2023.
Here's mine - Chito Vera will be Bantamweight Champion and a Top 5 P4P fighter by year's end.
Hallo Ariel,
With the news that the Whittaker vs Costa fight isn’t happening, I was wondering what is next for both of them? Whittaker has beaten every middleweight in the top 5 except Izzy and Alex. I think he deserves another shot at the title even without winning another fight.
What do you think ?
And what’s the issue with costa ?
Greetings from Germany my man and happy holidays to you and the whole crew!
What is up Ariel. First full year of the show being back and it was great. Thank you and the boys and everyone behind the cameras for what they do. My question is in regards to yesterday’s news of the Whittaker x Costa fight not happening. We know the UFC prematurely announces fights like this to pressure the fighters to just accept their current contract terms, but with Paulo sticking to his guns, do you ever see it possible that, to avoid losing big fights like this, the company will stop announcing the fights early or will actually pay a more respectable fight purse to guys like Paulo?
Hello Ariel!
I don’t have a question today, instead I’d like to say Happy Holidays to you and your family, and to the entire MMA hour team as well. Thank you for all of the great content you have created this year.
Also, I have breaking news, Frank! My wife is pregnant with our first child, and we are expecting a baby boy in June 2023! I look forward to introducing him to the crazy world of MMA when he’s old enough.
Happy holidays to my favorite show/podcast crew! What are each of your hopes/wishes for next year? Any big personal or career goals/milestones you’re hoping to achieve?
This has been the best year in the show’s long history and I hope everyone sticks around for years to come! So Vox Media, please keep these guys/gals happy! Much love from Northern California.
Happy Hols lads
Do you guys think fighter drama outside the octagon (mainly in ufc) is going to start having a negative effect on mma? I’ve been watchin/doing mma all my life and I’m getting fed up with people like Conor McGregor and paddy pimblett using their platform irresponsibly and being put on pedestals by the ufc no matter what they do outside of the octagon.
Can we get a classic Helwani sell for DDP to step in for Costa at UFC Australia?
Rob needs to get paid and have a holiday, dricus wants a challenge, can we get this happening PaPa H?!?
Hello, fan since 2011 but first time asking a question. I believe you when you say that no one told you to not share the news about Brock Lesnar fighting at UFC 200 and the narrative the UFC staff, for lack of a better term, tried to put out about people losing their jobs if it gets out was false. However, something I've wondered for a long time is this, did only a select few people know about that news? If they did were any NDAs in play? Last and most importantly, how did you learn of it and then confirm that news? Keep going, love your work!