Greetings once again from London, Ontario, Canada. I have a bit of a dilemma that I was hoping you might be able to help with. For many years, I have been going to the same coffee shop and almost always order the same beverage (tea, one milk and one sugar). I am such a regular customer that the barista now makes my tea as soon as she sees me walk through the door. My dilemma is that about 5% of the time, I would like to have a beverage other than tea (for example, I occasionally enjoy hot chocolate). However, because the barista has already made my tea by the time I arrive at the counter, I can’t bring myself to tell her that I would prefer to drink something else. In this instance, I simply take my already-made tea and tell the barista I would like a second beverage “for a friend”, which I will then pay for and drink myself. Although I am paying for two beverages instead of one about 5% of the time, I believe this cost is worth it because it avoids a potentially awkward conversation with the barista, which could jeopardize the exceptionally fast service I receive the other 95% of the time. Would you approach this situation any differently? As always, appreciate your valuable insights.
*Previous Server / Barista* I think everyone has a different philosophy to service, by giving quick service it eliminates the possibility for you as the customer to change your mind however a lot of coffee shops are high stress jobs and they just want to eliminate wasted time, just explain to your Barista that you want to try different things and I am sure they will understand.
On June 18th the UFC will be headed to Austin, Texas for Calvin Kattar vs Josh Emmett, and I must compel you to attend. You have said you are not actually banned from UFC events, so this would be the perfect one to test the waters. Not only will Kattar/Emmett likely be fight of the year, but you could make it a trip to Texas with the whole family, and maybe even drop into the JRE MMA Show finally while you're in town.
In my opinion it's a tragedy that the #1 journalist in combat sports has never been invited onto the JRE show. I feel this would be a great opportunity to finally squash you and Joe's past beef face to face, and it would be a tremendous platform to discuss things you stand for like fighter pay, open scoring, HOF etc. Get DC or a mutual friend to hook it up. The fans and fighters would appreciate this long overdue union. This is what the sport needs right now. Pack your bags you're going to Texas.
Hi Ariel, long time listener and first time poster. Quick question, what is the nature of the contract extension clause that the UFC 'exploits'? Can the UFC continuously offer the Khamzat fight to Nathan knowing he'll decline and in turn repeatedly extend his contract, or does the "3 fights offered per year" that Dana states (whether true or not) have to include different fighters that have not been previously declined?
With the recent announcement of DC entering the UFC hall of Fame, I have a question that relates. We are familiar with a few names of deserving fighters that are likely never going to see the hallowed staircase in the PI (Frank Shamrock comes to mind.)
My question is this: Which current UFC fighters do you think will be FUTURE snubs of the UFC hall of Fame? In other words, not just current fighters who you think would eventually deserve a spot, but ones who also might end up being snubbed for rubbing the brass the wrong way, etc.
Thanks for everything you do, and don't forget to name the waddurs, bapa.
Any fighter that tested free agency at the end of their career could potentially be a target. I think of Diaz and trying to be released, that's definitely snubbable.
I agree, but can you narrow it down any further? Also, besides just the snub, do you think Diaz is HoF worthy? He's a huge name and has been in some epic battles, but I'm not sure. Not saying no, just not sure.
I think all of Ariel's comments about an International MMA Hall of Fame are true. An organization's relationship with an individual should not make them worthy or not of being in the Hall of Fame.
For Nathan Diaz, I think his PPV draw would be what could make him HoF worthy, he was in the main event of two of the top 5 UFC PPVs. You could also have have both fights against McGregor inducted into HOF, UFC 196 and 202 as far as one of the biggest upsets and also comebacks.
Good day all, Ariel, can you list all the UFC fighters you believe can headline a ppv simply off of name value alone and actually do good buys? I feel like Diaz & Mcgregor are the only sure ones, probably Jones, Izzy & Francis, Oliveira may be creeping up to this??
Also as a casual boxing watcher- can you explain what this loss does to Canelo if anything?? And will his next fight be a bivol rematch?
Given Canelo's accomplishments at Middleweight, one could expect the one loss at Light Heavyweight does not tarnish his legacy at all. Though, he seems to be executing his rematch clause. Harder to say what another loss at Light Heavyweight might do to his legacy. Anyway you look at it, he's the undisputed Middleweight king.
That's a good comparison. Though, Canelo did find success capturing light heavyweight gold when he fought Sergey Kovalev. At that time Kovalev was on the slide. Whereas Bivol is a seasoned fighter on a tear in his prime.
I wonder if there is an MMA/UFC analogy for an elite fighter who goes up a weight class, wins gold on their first attempt against a fighter just beyond their prime, who then returns to dominate in their own lighter weight class before going up again only to lose against a heavy fighter in their prime.
I think McGregor is the only person that can sell a PPV by themselves regardless of opponent and based off his name. The rest have to either have the right opponent or co-main events to be successful.
Greetings again from Ottawa, Ontario. Loved the conversation with Shaheen Al-Shaati on Monday. You should bring on the guys from MMAFighting.com more often. Speaking of which, shout-out to Jed Meshew. Pound-for-pound, best takes on the whole website.
Quick one for you this week: If you could bring on one other person from the MMAFighting writing staff to join the MMAHour, who would be your first choice to work with?
A few months ago I told you about Clinch, the martial arts literary magazine I founded that you served as encouragement for. At that point the website was empty, so I just wanted to let you know that our inaugural issue came out earlier this month! The issue is available on our site (ClinchLit.com) if you wanted to check it out. There’s some wonderful work that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
Thanks again for your wisdom and encouragement, and tell Frank Mysterio that I want him to submit his poetry when submissions for our second issue open!
Ariel, we often talk about how the UFC has lost some incentive to try to put on good cards because they are receiving guaranteed money from ESPN for the events. However, wouldn't this give ESPN some bargaining power the next time they go to re-negotiate the deal? They could show the UFC poor viewership on most fight nights because nobody wants to watch boring fights in the APEX anymore. Speaking of which, when is the UFC-ESPN deal up anyways? Thanks!
I watched the interview that Dana had on the Pivot podcast, and when he continued on about fighter pay and nobody said anything but agree with him, my blood literally boiled. I'm constantly baffled simply by the fact that the fighters don't have health insurance & here we are trying to get entry level ufc fighters enough to not have to work a second job. How is it that he constantly gets away with extremely piss poor reasons to not up fighter pay to what we all are aware it should be near? people like Tony Ferguson who have put EVERYTHING into this sport and given us the best moments should be getting paid at least a million a fight.
I feel like people don’t want to stand up to him. It takes nothing for us to say the money stuff on twitter, but when it comes to the people who have the power and resources to change something...they weigh the options. Do I speak up or do I keep my job? Super sad tbh, I agree with everything you said
I know there's ramifications for most people within the business to speak up, but these reasons are so childlike that its insulting to the fighters. "every fight is a going out of sale business" what is he talking about lol
Isn’t it so confusing that Mr. Charlie Olives has to win 4 more fights to beat Khabib’s, Frankie Edgar’s, Benson Henderson’s, and BJ Penn’s THREE record defenses? Also, I saw a report that early lines have come out for Oliveira vs Islam and Islam is a (-300) Favorite, Du Bronx was (+260). Ask GC his opinion on this also, as he is the best guy. Personally I think that’s disrespectful on Oliveira. THE CHAMPION HAS A NAME AND ITS CHARLES OLIVEIRA!
1) Charles isn't going receive NEARLY the same threat of damage on the feet from Islam as he did from: Tony, Chandler, Dustin & Justin. They are all better strikers than Islam and Charles destroyed all of them.
2) While the ground game might be very close between Islam and Charles, you must admit that Charles' stand up is much better. This is MMA and more often than not, the fighter who can succeed both on the feet and on the ground will most likely win. (See difference between a Gaethje knockdown vs. a Charles knockdown).
Truth. Still, it seems overlooked how often Charles over sells his opponent's strikes by dropping to the mat, hoping to draw his opponent into his guard.
didn’t charles get slept on his past 2 fights? He definitely got slept on against Dustin. Was probably one punch away from losing to Chandler. Got dropped against Dustin to come back and choke him out. and got dropped by Justin twice just to not only drop him, but FLATTEN OUT, Justin Gatheje, in HIS hometown, then to get his back and make him quit in less than a round.
Hi Ariel - what are your thoughts about the UFC disallowing flags from fighter walkouts? It seems inconsistent with their past statement that they are more for ‘free speech’ than anybody. Why do you think the reason for the flag ban wasn’t stated outright when Dana was asked at the post fight press conference?
Also, the last fighter that I’ve seen walk out with a flag was Belal Muhammad with the flag of Palestine. I think that has more to do with it than the Russia invasion of Ukraine.
Am I giving myself the ol' Barry H if I moderate the questions and then ask one? Let's find out.
You pride yourself on reporting news that is accurate and true. This has been a staple of 2 decades you've been in this game. There was however a time when you were also the fastest gun in the west. It feels fair to say you've let that aspect go. We know it's not due to a lack of information, just a more timely release.
My question is, when and why did you lose interest in that aspect of breaking the news, being the first to report items? Was it gradual or was there something that triggered it?
Much love, Louis
Shout out and thank you to Ross from the Energized Show for planting the idea for me to moderate.
Canelo Alvarez vs Dmitry Bivol; Bivol looked phenomenal, he executed his game like a true ring general, showing the depth of his boxing experience. Canelo, a true great, looked frustrated. Now, it sounds like Canelo is going to act on the re-match clause. Do you think this is the right move for Canelo? Would another loss at Light Heavyweight dull Canelo’s shine as the Middleweight king? Most important, will we ever get to witness Canelo Alvarez vs Jermall Charlo!?
First and foremost: Did you celebrate cinco de mayo with the team or did you leave them hanging per usual?
Second: Why can’t sterling fight in New York?
Third: What is the beef between Justin and Chandler?
And lastly, your thoughts on the UFC banning national flags? As an American, I am proud of where I’m from. You are proud of where you’re from. And Islam is proud of where he is from. Let them represent their countries.
Dear Ariel,
Greetings once again from London, Ontario, Canada. I have a bit of a dilemma that I was hoping you might be able to help with. For many years, I have been going to the same coffee shop and almost always order the same beverage (tea, one milk and one sugar). I am such a regular customer that the barista now makes my tea as soon as she sees me walk through the door. My dilemma is that about 5% of the time, I would like to have a beverage other than tea (for example, I occasionally enjoy hot chocolate). However, because the barista has already made my tea by the time I arrive at the counter, I can’t bring myself to tell her that I would prefer to drink something else. In this instance, I simply take my already-made tea and tell the barista I would like a second beverage “for a friend”, which I will then pay for and drink myself. Although I am paying for two beverages instead of one about 5% of the time, I believe this cost is worth it because it avoids a potentially awkward conversation with the barista, which could jeopardize the exceptionally fast service I receive the other 95% of the time. Would you approach this situation any differently? As always, appreciate your valuable insights.
Sincerely,
Adrian
*Previous Server / Barista* I think everyone has a different philosophy to service, by giving quick service it eliminates the possibility for you as the customer to change your mind however a lot of coffee shops are high stress jobs and they just want to eliminate wasted time, just explain to your Barista that you want to try different things and I am sure they will understand.
the extra drink is 100% worth it and on those days you can save the tea and drink it later!
I'm really enjoying these
Bonjour Lord Ariel,
On June 18th the UFC will be headed to Austin, Texas for Calvin Kattar vs Josh Emmett, and I must compel you to attend. You have said you are not actually banned from UFC events, so this would be the perfect one to test the waters. Not only will Kattar/Emmett likely be fight of the year, but you could make it a trip to Texas with the whole family, and maybe even drop into the JRE MMA Show finally while you're in town.
In my opinion it's a tragedy that the #1 journalist in combat sports has never been invited onto the JRE show. I feel this would be a great opportunity to finally squash you and Joe's past beef face to face, and it would be a tremendous platform to discuss things you stand for like fighter pay, open scoring, HOF etc. Get DC or a mutual friend to hook it up. The fans and fighters would appreciate this long overdue union. This is what the sport needs right now. Pack your bags you're going to Texas.
Long Live The Man of Steelwani.
Yes! Ariel Helwani on the JRE is what the people want and need.
Congrats 🥇
Nice
what is the question?
The question is implied in the comment
word
Hi Ariel, long time listener and first time poster. Quick question, what is the nature of the contract extension clause that the UFC 'exploits'? Can the UFC continuously offer the Khamzat fight to Nathan knowing he'll decline and in turn repeatedly extend his contract, or does the "3 fights offered per year" that Dana states (whether true or not) have to include different fighters that have not been previously declined?
Great question! I would love to know the answer as well.
Great one!
Yo, Ariel!
With the recent announcement of DC entering the UFC hall of Fame, I have a question that relates. We are familiar with a few names of deserving fighters that are likely never going to see the hallowed staircase in the PI (Frank Shamrock comes to mind.)
My question is this: Which current UFC fighters do you think will be FUTURE snubs of the UFC hall of Fame? In other words, not just current fighters who you think would eventually deserve a spot, but ones who also might end up being snubbed for rubbing the brass the wrong way, etc.
Thanks for everything you do, and don't forget to name the waddurs, bapa.
-Your homie, Sunny Chung.
Tony Ferguson
Do you base that purely on his most recent comments or other things as well?
I base it on his 12 fight win streak in arguably the toughest division in the sport, that alone should qualify him
I meant for the potential snub, not what qualifies him. I agree with you on his qualification.
Ah my bad 🤣 yeah just his anti-ufc comments he's been making over the years
What’s the UFC’s relationship with DJ like these days? Feels like he could be snubbed.
Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson
Any fighter that tested free agency at the end of their career could potentially be a target. I think of Diaz and trying to be released, that's definitely snubbable.
I agree, but can you narrow it down any further? Also, besides just the snub, do you think Diaz is HoF worthy? He's a huge name and has been in some epic battles, but I'm not sure. Not saying no, just not sure.
I think all of Ariel's comments about an International MMA Hall of Fame are true. An organization's relationship with an individual should not make them worthy or not of being in the Hall of Fame.
For Nathan Diaz, I think his PPV draw would be what could make him HoF worthy, he was in the main event of two of the top 5 UFC PPVs. You could also have have both fights against McGregor inducted into HOF, UFC 196 and 202 as far as one of the biggest upsets and also comebacks.
Good day all, Ariel, can you list all the UFC fighters you believe can headline a ppv simply off of name value alone and actually do good buys? I feel like Diaz & Mcgregor are the only sure ones, probably Jones, Izzy & Francis, Oliveira may be creeping up to this??
Also as a casual boxing watcher- can you explain what this loss does to Canelo if anything?? And will his next fight be a bivol rematch?
Given Canelo's accomplishments at Middleweight, one could expect the one loss at Light Heavyweight does not tarnish his legacy at all. Though, he seems to be executing his rematch clause. Harder to say what another loss at Light Heavyweight might do to his legacy. Anyway you look at it, he's the undisputed Middleweight king.
Would I be somewhat correct to look at it as Isreal's failed attempt to get LHWT gold?
That's a good comparison. Though, Canelo did find success capturing light heavyweight gold when he fought Sergey Kovalev. At that time Kovalev was on the slide. Whereas Bivol is a seasoned fighter on a tear in his prime.
I wonder if there is an MMA/UFC analogy for an elite fighter who goes up a weight class, wins gold on their first attempt against a fighter just beyond their prime, who then returns to dominate in their own lighter weight class before going up again only to lose against a heavy fighter in their prime.
I think McGregor is the only person that can sell a PPV by themselves regardless of opponent and based off his name. The rest have to either have the right opponent or co-main events to be successful.
Salut Ariel,
Greetings again from Ottawa, Ontario. Loved the conversation with Shaheen Al-Shaati on Monday. You should bring on the guys from MMAFighting.com more often. Speaking of which, shout-out to Jed Meshew. Pound-for-pound, best takes on the whole website.
Quick one for you this week: If you could bring on one other person from the MMAFighting writing staff to join the MMAHour, who would be your first choice to work with?
Hi Ariel!
A few months ago I told you about Clinch, the martial arts literary magazine I founded that you served as encouragement for. At that point the website was empty, so I just wanted to let you know that our inaugural issue came out earlier this month! The issue is available on our site (ClinchLit.com) if you wanted to check it out. There’s some wonderful work that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
Thanks again for your wisdom and encouragement, and tell Frank Mysterio that I want him to submit his poetry when submissions for our second issue open!
Congratulations! I love the simplicity of design and interactive table of contents.
Thank you so much! I appreciate hearing that :)
Ariel, we often talk about how the UFC has lost some incentive to try to put on good cards because they are receiving guaranteed money from ESPN for the events. However, wouldn't this give ESPN some bargaining power the next time they go to re-negotiate the deal? They could show the UFC poor viewership on most fight nights because nobody wants to watch boring fights in the APEX anymore. Speaking of which, when is the UFC-ESPN deal up anyways? Thanks!
Hello Ariel!
I watched the interview that Dana had on the Pivot podcast, and when he continued on about fighter pay and nobody said anything but agree with him, my blood literally boiled. I'm constantly baffled simply by the fact that the fighters don't have health insurance & here we are trying to get entry level ufc fighters enough to not have to work a second job. How is it that he constantly gets away with extremely piss poor reasons to not up fighter pay to what we all are aware it should be near? people like Tony Ferguson who have put EVERYTHING into this sport and given us the best moments should be getting paid at least a million a fight.
I feel like people don’t want to stand up to him. It takes nothing for us to say the money stuff on twitter, but when it comes to the people who have the power and resources to change something...they weigh the options. Do I speak up or do I keep my job? Super sad tbh, I agree with everything you said
I know there's ramifications for most people within the business to speak up, but these reasons are so childlike that its insulting to the fighters. "every fight is a going out of sale business" what is he talking about lol
1000%
This one’s for Petesy:
Rank these french breakfast items in order of preference:
1. Croque Madame
2. Pain au chocolat
3. Porridge à la banane confit
4. Croissant
Also a bit belated but I wanted to comment on how Marlons personality and brand has really grown this year. It’s great to watch.
Who has recently surprised you out of the fighters with their personality coming out more and drawing more popularity?
Khalil Rountree
Hi Ariel!
Do you think there is a chance that Khabib would come back to face Charles, especially if Charles beats Islam?
No, Khabib is happily retired, coaching, and promoting.
Lad Ariel,
Isn’t it so confusing that Mr. Charlie Olives has to win 4 more fights to beat Khabib’s, Frankie Edgar’s, Benson Henderson’s, and BJ Penn’s THREE record defenses? Also, I saw a report that early lines have come out for Oliveira vs Islam and Islam is a (-300) Favorite, Du Bronx was (+260). Ask GC his opinion on this also, as he is the best guy. Personally I think that’s disrespectful on Oliveira. THE CHAMPION HAS A NAME AND ITS CHARLES OLIVEIRA!
I’m seeing Islam at -150. -300 is absurd. What’s even more absurd is that Volkanovski is +1000 against oliviera. Give me that all day.
Charles takes too much damage to be the favorite against Islam
1) Charles isn't going receive NEARLY the same threat of damage on the feet from Islam as he did from: Tony, Chandler, Dustin & Justin. They are all better strikers than Islam and Charles destroyed all of them.
2) While the ground game might be very close between Islam and Charles, you must admit that Charles' stand up is much better. This is MMA and more often than not, the fighter who can succeed both on the feet and on the ground will most likely win. (See difference between a Gaethje knockdown vs. a Charles knockdown).
Is Charles vs. Islam our new age tony vs khabib?
I think C+I > T+K
Truth. Still, it seems overlooked how often Charles over sells his opponent's strikes by dropping to the mat, hoping to draw his opponent into his guard.
didn’t charles get slept on his past 2 fights? He definitely got slept on against Dustin. Was probably one punch away from losing to Chandler. Got dropped against Dustin to come back and choke him out. and got dropped by Justin twice just to not only drop him, but FLATTEN OUT, Justin Gatheje, in HIS hometown, then to get his back and make him quit in less than a round.
He's for sure a dog which is getting him through these fights, I'm just worried about his longevity as champ if he keeps getting dropped like that
That’s fair. I just don’t see charles losing right now
His biggest opponent seems to be the weight, this is the 5th time he has missed weight in the UFC and his 1st after moving up to Lightweight.
Maybe we see Charles at 170 in the future
Hi Ariel - what are your thoughts about the UFC disallowing flags from fighter walkouts? It seems inconsistent with their past statement that they are more for ‘free speech’ than anybody. Why do you think the reason for the flag ban wasn’t stated outright when Dana was asked at the post fight press conference?
This is what I wanted to ask about. It’s ridiculous and I guarantee Conor gets to walk out with the Irish flag whenever he fights next.
Also, the last fighter that I’ve seen walk out with a flag was Belal Muhammad with the flag of Palestine. I think that has more to do with it than the Russia invasion of Ukraine.
My man, good afternoon Ariel,
Am I giving myself the ol' Barry H if I moderate the questions and then ask one? Let's find out.
You pride yourself on reporting news that is accurate and true. This has been a staple of 2 decades you've been in this game. There was however a time when you were also the fastest gun in the west. It feels fair to say you've let that aspect go. We know it's not due to a lack of information, just a more timely release.
My question is, when and why did you lose interest in that aspect of breaking the news, being the first to report items? Was it gradual or was there something that triggered it?
Much love, Louis
Shout out and thank you to Ross from the Energized Show for planting the idea for me to moderate.
Hello Ariel!
Canelo Alvarez vs Dmitry Bivol; Bivol looked phenomenal, he executed his game like a true ring general, showing the depth of his boxing experience. Canelo, a true great, looked frustrated. Now, it sounds like Canelo is going to act on the re-match clause. Do you think this is the right move for Canelo? Would another loss at Light Heavyweight dull Canelo’s shine as the Middleweight king? Most important, will we ever get to witness Canelo Alvarez vs Jermall Charlo!?
Peace Brother!
Ariel,
First and foremost: Did you celebrate cinco de mayo with the team or did you leave them hanging per usual?
Second: Why can’t sterling fight in New York?
Third: What is the beef between Justin and Chandler?
And lastly, your thoughts on the UFC banning national flags? As an American, I am proud of where I’m from. You are proud of where you’re from. And Islam is proud of where he is from. Let them represent their countries.
Best,
Tipp