132 Comments

Hello Ariel, greetings from the Netherlands.

GLORY Collision 4: Badr Hari vs Alistair Overeem will take place in about three weeks on October 8. Big event over here in the Netherlands, taking place in a sold out football stadium.

I was wondering, what do you think about this matchup?

Viva Helwani!

Kind regards,

Maurits School

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Also, what do you think about inviting Badr Hari to The MMA Hour leading up to his trilogy fight with Alistair Overeem?

Would be cool to have an kickboxing icon like Badr on the show.

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(Btw, by inviting Badr Hari you’ll attract a lot of new listeners from the Netherlands and Morocco to your show)

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Good Day -

You mentioned in the past that scheduling guests for the show is the most stressful aspect of your job. Are you able to break the fourth wall and share your process for scheduling guests? Like how do you decide which guests to reach out to, scheduling the time slot, and how often guests are unable/unwilling to be on the show? As a fan, I appreciate all of the effort that you put in to getting great guests every single show. You don’t miss!

Thanks,

Logan

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No offense but I feel we have done this question numerous times...maybe watch some older shows

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Let’s be real, the guests are great but sometimes he does “miss”.

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I disagree. The guests are always relevant and 99% of them are great interviews. Exceptional show every single time by the GOAT of MMA reporting.

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Hallo Ariel.

Anything new about the Stipe/Jones situation ? Can we get any of these two on the show to clarify the whole thing ?

Greetings from Germany my man

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Hey Ariel! What do you think is next for tony Ferguson. With 5 losses in a row I fear that he may be on his way out very soon. I thought he looked great in that first round with chandler before the knockout so I expected a great performance against Diaz, but now I’m wondering what kind of fights the ufc will set him up with. if any. Thank you. You are awesome!

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Yony was my favorite fighter for a long period of time. Watching the fight with Nate was pretty sad. He looked sloppy, turned his back numerous times, just didn't look like the Tony we all grew to love.

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Give Leech the fight with him with time for an actual camp. This would be fair to Leech and give him his opportunity to fight a big name fighter after being screwed at UFC 279, while also giving Ferguson one last shot to resurrect his career with a big win.

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What about 170 against Masvidal? Two seasoned veterans

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Hi Ariel,

Two quickies. After attending UFC 279 (my first UFC event), I couldn't help but feel disappointed with the Vegas crowd for their treatment of Leech. I actually feel like the crowd booing may have somewhat influenced the split decision result. Do you think the crowd plays a role in how judges score fights?

2nd question: The press does a terrible job asking Dana White questions of consequence. They could have pressed him more after UFC 279 about pay for the fighters affected by the reshuffle, they could have pressed him more about Khamzat's failure to make weight, and they could have pressed him more about the company's intent to sabotage Diaz on his last fight... but alas, nothing. I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but how can the UFC press band together to actually hold the company accountable for its lackluster treatment of people? Can we do anything as fans? I almost feel guilty watching the UFC sometimes knowing how they treat some of their "iNdEpEnDeNt Contractors".

Peace.

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Booing doesnt affect the judges. Come on. They can be affected by the crowd during the fight. If a fighter throws a strike that barely lands and there’s an uproar, then that can affect their perspective.

And you know why they aren’t pressing Dana... lol they’ve got a job to keep. They want to be allowed to ask questions at the next presser. You push Dana today, you don’t get your questions answered next week. Plain and simple.

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You might be right, and I would have agreed with you a week ago.... but after hearing the absurd amount of booing, I felt confused at how to score it from the stands. When I watched it again at home, I realized the crowd had swayed me while there, because Leech clearly won the fight.

To your second point, exactly. That’s why I’m asking how the press can band together. He surely can’t throw all of them out at once for asking difficult questions.

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Hi Ariel,

You mentioned on your previous show Zach Rosenfield has had a big impact on the Nate Diaz’s career after the Conor fights. What exactly does he do for Nate/does he represent any other fighters?

Thanks,

Amin

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Hi Ariel, will you be watching ADCC this weekend? Would be cool to get one of the winners on the show Monday

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Craig Jones!!!

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Love the show, shout out to Mysterious Frank, Connor, everyone else that makes this happen....LOUIS...you as well, a big thank you. Anyway, At what point, if any, does Dana White become a liability for the UFC? Myself and friends have been watching since the first season season of TUF, so '05 or '06, and definitely thought Dana was a great personality, funny, edgy, a badass. Now however he seems more toxic, disgruntled, kind of a piece of shit considering some of the things he says regarding not really caring about fighters just the business itself. Just curious if you see the UFC going away from Dana and hiring a new face for the Brand. Thanks

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Hi Ariel,

My name is Eran and I’m from Tel Aviv, Israel.

I listen to your show and follow your career since 2010 and can say without hesitation that “Independent Helwani” is the best version of you that I’ve seen.

Fun facts:

1. I called my daughter Arielle

2. We met, talked, and took photos twice: UFC 205, and UFC 229

3. I worked as a sports journalist and covered the UFC. this leads me to my question

I’m in love with this sport, but in my opinion, so much stuff must change.

I listen to every Dana White scrum and cannot stop laughing every time. I have no idea if the “journalists” over there believe him or if they actually dumb.

What goes through your mind when they ask these mediocre questions and don’t answer back when he’s defiantly lying?

P.S – love your show with Chuck and Petesy

P.S 2- I used to have a cat named Petesy

Thank you for your great content all these years

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Hello Ariel!

I just celebrated my 24th birthday this past Monday, and as a gift, I’d love to hear your thoughts on my favorite fighter, Charles Oliviera, and his chances for victory at UFC 280. Also would you ever be able to get him on the show? Thanks for being the best in the sport!

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Good afternoon from Ireland!

If it's not too much to ask, is the relationship with Jake Paul ruined now?

If so maximum respect to you for taking money out of your own pocket to defend fighters

Thank you for all the work over the years

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Good Morning from Idaho!

How do you think Chael did his first time as the host for Jake Paul and Anderson Silvia and is it true that it was supposed to be you? I wasn’t sure after the back and forth you and Jake had if you would be willing to be part of his next event.

Thank you as always!

- Israel D

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The press conference was the during the Monday show...how would Ariel do both? Maybe have Mystery Frank host the show.....HIGHEST RATED SHOW EVER!

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What's groovin' Ariel,

Rate the following in order of what you personally find most enjoyable to watch to the least enjoyable.

MMA, Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, BJJ, Wrestling.

Long Live The Man of Steelwani

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Ciao Ariel, have you ever considered taking the MMA hour on the road in front of a live audience? Much love and respect - Bob Sonato

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Love this idea

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WHERE IS THE NEW MERCH? Been over a year that it's been teased....who is in charge of this?

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My Heelwani Hoodie has a hole in it...need new gear!

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Is it odd to anyone else that Dana, the man everyone wants to make happy and the man that ultimately makes the decisions fraternizes with specific fighters/managers? Doesn't that seem very unethical? No doubt his friendship with certain fighters/managers influences fights, contracts, opportunities, etc. Curious your thoughts. Thanks

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