105 Comments

Greetings Ariel,

I think we can all agree that having a guest in studio versus on zoom is significantly better experience for all. The likes of a Eddie Hearn in studio interview is hard to beat.

Feels like you get to know the interviewee a lot better etc

Has me thinking…you guys have done a great job in getting the listeners fully invested in the whole crew over the past couple years.

Why not bring it to the next level?

What about trialing a parlay pals segment in studio at the desk with the main man Helwani?

I feel we are missing a trick here not having GC and New York Ric chopping it up with you across the table, especially when they are just in the other room.

Keep mysterious Frank running the ship from the skies.

Could be a game changer...Keep me posted!

Don Money

Expand full comment

Because when the cam is on them its ariel's chance to relax, eat, text... I mean it is 4+ hours, is Ariel wearing a diaper?

Expand full comment

Hallo Ariel,

No question, just a petition to get Don Frye on the show!

Greetings from Germany my Man

Expand full comment

Ever listen to MMA Roasted or the Toxic Masculinity podcast? Don is all over those!

Expand full comment

Ariel,

I just came out of a medically induced coma that began on April 21st, 2012. Tomorrow(in my head) I was going to watch my favorite fighter, Brendan schaub, fight Ben Rothwell. How did that fight turn out? Did Brendan ever become the champion?

In all seriousness, can you explain the difference between agents, agencies, managers, etc and their roles to/for fighters? Thanks, bapa. Now go vacuum seal your coffee beans.

Expand full comment

Hi guys 2 questions today

If all retiring legends got the same send off as Robbie lawler would more stay retired to not ruin the moment?

Also I was wondering if you watched “soccer” player Deli Alli’s interview with Gary Neville last week? If so do you think the tough upbringing he had is relatable to the upbringing a lot of fighters have had and if rehab would help some of them get their careers back on track? I recommend watching it It really opened my eyes and showed you never really know what’s going on in someone’s life and that I should be less critical of people.

Expand full comment
founding

If this one doesn't make the cut, Ariel did tweet about it https://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/1679570151702708224?s=20

Expand full comment

It didn’t make the cut but a hotdog question does. I just don’t know the criteria 🤦🏻‍♂️

Expand full comment
founding

Try it again next week

Expand full comment

It may be old news by then. Thanks for the response though. Ill try to have one lined up for next week.

Expand full comment

Thanks. I’m only active on Twitter when the fights are on so missed that😅. A lot more can be said on it outside of a post but sure thing I know everyone’s questions can’t be answered

Expand full comment

Hi Ariel,

After GC announced his imminent head-shaving (slated for early 2025), I couldn't help but ponder my own hairline's mortality.. Luckily, I've been staying at a solid level 6-8 buzz for many years now, so the eventual transition to fully shaved won't be as drastic.

Unfortunately, we can't all be blessed with a Helwani-esque hairline and CHOOSE baldness, so I hope this doesn't fall on deaf ears.. How does one know when it's the right time to go?

Also, can you & the boys site a few examples of bag-fumbled transitions to bald (ex: Lebron), successful switches before things got uncomfortable (ex: Rogan, Volk), and who should consider the razor sooner than expected (ex: Colby?)

In a way, the whole topic is strangely similar to MMA/sports retirements..

Thanks!

Expand full comment

Ariel - Do you think Jiri and Jamal will immediately get a title fight when they do return or do you think they will just end up missing a fight where they would've made PPV points?They both held the title, and it seems like for right or wrong, the UFC insisted they vacate the belt to keep things going so I wonder if they are guaranteed anything upon their return? Thanks everyone, love the show. Also, love the UFC Watch Party so thanks for that!

Expand full comment

Hey Ariel! Hope you're doing great. A week ago I attended my first live MMA event in The Netherlands. It was by a promotion called Levels Fight League (LFL). Overall I had a pretty great time. The fights weren't all that great but with a big screen in the back we could follow everything nicely. It actually exceeded my expectations.

My question is: How would you rank MMA as a sport to view in real life instead of on TV, compared to for example Football, Soccer (the real football...), Hockey, Baseball and others that come to mind. Cheers for all the great hours of content and have a great rest of your week.

Expand full comment

Hello Ariel,

avid listener since the beginning of the MMA Hour. Thanks to you and the crew to brighten everyday life. I'm asking a question for the first time, I'm aware that it's a bit critical but maybe I'm not seeing the whole picture .... I think it's great that you guys are doing critical journalism which is what MMA needs! What I do not quite understand is the current topic with ddp & Isy and the weighting which it gets, from my humble point of view I find it a much bigger scandal that well-known UFC fighters like:

Kamaru Usman

Justin Gaethje

Henry Cejudo

Khamzat Chimaev

Fabricio Werdum

to offer themselves for money to a known despot, who has been proven to kill, torture and intimidate numerous people (opposition members, homosexuals, dissidents ...). I see the UFC here in the clear responsibility and of course the fighters, maybe you can say something about the weighting in the reporting from my point of view a clear disproportion.

Greetings from Munich

Andy

Expand full comment

Yo MMA hour crew!

I’m curious as to what other podcasts you all listen to. I am hoping to be surprised by one of you. You can list genres or specific podcasts.

Here’s what I’m thinking the crew likes:

Ariel: You seem like a mostly sports podcasts kind of guy. Maybe some of the popular basketball ones. If so, have you seen Paul George’s podcast? Podcast P. It’s great. Oh, and you are for sure a big fan of JRE haha.

NY Ric: I’m going to guess a lot of sports stuff too. Although I feel like you may surprise us with a few of your interests. I’m just gonna make a random guess and say History.

GC: Sports too. But what else we got? Gaming, travel, cooking? Any podcasts in the ears during marathons?

Frank: I feel like Frank is definitely a true crime guy. But I feel like there are probably some niche interest podcasts in there.

Let’s hear about em!

Expand full comment

Hi Ariel,

Writing from Scotland here.

As UFC London will take place during normal hours for us in the UK/Europe, do you think American UFC fans take for granted how the fights always take place at convenient times for them?

I’m so grateful that the card this weekend will be at a time ideal for European fans.

As someone who refuses to interrupt my sleep schedule, I usually watch the fights on-demand on the Sunday morning, making sure to avoid all social media so I don’t get any ‘spoilers’.

However, I do miss-out on the live reactions on social media which is shite.

I have the highest admiration for the European fans who stay up until 6am to watch these cards but, as a preferred early-riser, I personally can’t do that to my sleep pattern.

My question is, if you were a fan based in Europe, would you rather stay up until 6am to watch the fights or watch on-demand the next day, knowing that you can’t react ‘live’ to the fights?

Cheers,

Sean

Expand full comment

It sounds weird but being from the uk I hate how early the uk cards are. I feel like I have nothing to do late on a Saturday when the ufc is here now lol 🤣

Expand full comment

Hello, quick one Ariel... whats your favourite english dish?! much love Ali

Expand full comment

Salaam Alaykum Ariel and Gang!

Watching you ur interview earlier this week with Rampage took me down memory lane (and in the best way possible).. your chemistry together is unmatched and it brought me to this realization. You need to make him a mainstay in this space and I know you’re doing a multitude of things as it is, but would you ever consider doing your own little show together? Also, if you could rank a list of 5 of your dream interviewees, who would be on that list (could be anyone in the world, not just MMA).

Much love as always,

David from Dearborn, MI

Expand full comment

I like it. Just paste Rampage’s face over DC’s in the “DC & Helwani” graphic for fun.

Expand full comment

'Page & Helwani just has a better ring to it.

Expand full comment

Gang,

Which match does bigger numbers;

Francis vs Tyson

Or

Nate vs Jake?

-Dat Dane Nick

Expand full comment

With the UFC regularly parading Donald Trump in arenas - should the UFC be concerned about their links to this man and how this is perceived around the world? I have to admit, I’m finding it harder to be a UFC fan when I see that orange fool being cheered by the crowds in the arenas.

Expand full comment

1st I’m happy he’s getting paid after everything he’s been through, blessings!🙏🏽

But If Francis loses, Could we from the getgo eliminate the excuse or the idea that “oh he went into another sport where fury has been in his whole life, but if they were to meet in the cage or in a room it would be a different story”

like please just eliminate that, it’s a boxing match they agreed to because fury is the A side and that’s it and vice versa if fury was stepping into the cage and are we just giving him a chance because of power?

Also! Would we give the same chance and credibility to him(Francis) if he wasn’t a knockout artist?

Viva La Nariz s/o DaBoyz

Expand full comment

1st I’m happy he’s getting paid after everything he’s been through, blessings!🙏🏽

But If Francis loses, Could we from the getgo eliminate the excuse or the idea that “oh he went into another sport where fury has been in his whole life, but if they were to meet in the cage or in a room it would be a different story”

like please just eliminate that, it’s a boxing match they agreed to because fury is the A side and that’s it and vice versa if fury was stepping into the cage and are we just giving him a chance because of power?

Also! Would we give the same chance and credibility to him(Francis) if he wasn’t a knockout artist?

Viva La Nariz s/o DaBoyz

Expand full comment