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👋 Hola Ariel!!!

One of my favorite friendships in the UFC take center stage in this weekend’s co main and main event (Rose & Gaethje). Still to this day the video of Gaethje crying tears of happiness for Rose’s win is still very much one of my favorite outside the octagon moments.

Cornering both fighters is Trevor Wittman, and while he is known for containing his emotions in both victory and defeat, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t FEEL those emotions. My question is, if hypothetically Rose were to lose before the Gaethje fight, how do you think it would effect both Gaethje and Wittman’s mindset heading into the main event?

Viva Heelwani 🦹🏻‍♂️

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May 4, 2022·edited May 4, 2022

Bonjour Lord Ariel,

In Dragon Ball Z there is an extraordinary place known as the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Once you enter the Time Chamber, for every one day that passes in the outside world an entire year elapses in the Chamber. The Z Fighters use this room to train in preparation for much stronger foes when time is of the essence. My question is, if you had access to a Hyperbolic Time Chamber, a room where you had essentially infinite time void of family and work responsibilities, what would you use it for?

P.S. I went ahead and edited Cris Cyborg's location of her first fight on Wikipedia. If you check it now you will see it says Sao Paulo and no longer Curitiba. She had mentioned this on Monday's show after you looked it up.

Long Live The Man of Steelwani.

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Dear Ariel,

Greetings once again from London, Ontario, Canada. Firstly, I wanted to let you know that the interview between you and Eddie Hearn last week motivated me to watch Taylor-Serrano, which was one of the most spectacular and inspirational sporting events I have ever seen; thank you for promoting this event. I also thoroughly enjoyed your interview with Eddie this Monday, and was hoping to get your thoughts on his comments pertaining to being “average”. He had some great insight into the fact that, by definition, the majority of people are “average” and so this term should not be viewed as insulting. However, any person who is exceptional at something must, at one point, have been average at that thing before they pulled away from the pack. In your case, you are obviously an exceptional combat sports journalist. My question to you is, when would you last consider yourself to have been an “average” journalist? I suspect it would have to be over a decade ago, but am curious as to your thoughts. Additionally, what do you think you did career-wise that set you apart from the rest, and led to you becoming exceptional in this field?

As always, appreciate your valuable insights.


Sincerely,

Adrian

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May 4, 2022·edited May 4, 2022

Dia dhuit Ariel,

Just two questions today, firstly how true are those “leaks” from the war room? Seemed fairly convenient having those all in shot. Fights like Paddy v Ottman and Nate v Khamzat don’t make sense.

Secondly, what’s going to happen with Dean Barry? Surely he gets a second chance after them spending so long to just get him a fight in the first place. Can’t imagine they’ll be as kind to him with matchmaking in his next fight if he gets another crack.

Enjoy the fights at the weekend!

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Hi Ariel, I finally got the Substack app, but you are the only person I subscribe to. Do you have any recommendations of other writers you enjoy? Sports or otherwise. Thanks!

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May 4, 2022·edited May 4, 2022

Hello Ariel!

First, I have to thank you for promoting the Taylor-Serrano fight the way you did. It exceeded the hype in every way and may be the greatest boxing match I’ve seen. I actually didn’t mind the 2 minute rounds because it was all action.

Shout out to GC! I’m not a big gambler but I enjoy the segment and his detailed explanations for his picks.

Yesterday in your non-MMA Q&A, you mentioned Brendan Schaub as one of your favorite comedians. I saw that he recently put out a new comedy special, “The Gringo Papi,” which currently has a 1.1 rating (out of 10) on IMDb. Have you seen it, and if so what’s your rating?

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Peace, Ariel,

Don’t understand all the shade thrown New York Ric’s way. The man is clearly a legit long-time hard-core fan of the sport. I mean, my man was correctly pronouncing Israel Adesanya’s name back in the King in the Ring/GLORY days, 2015 – 2016.

He’s the only dude on the program I trust is consistently following MMA across the various promotions, not just the UFC. My bet, more than anyone else at the MMA Hour, NY Ric is hype for ONE 157 because, not despite, the card is top heavy on world class Muay Thai and Grappling not just bang bros. My other bet, the NY Ric haters are mostly johnny casuals hanging onto Conor tweets! C’mon!

Ariel, wouldn’t you agree NY Ric is the Michaels to your Hart!? The Savage to your Hogan!? The Muta to your Sting!? People, put respect on NEW YORK RIC’s name!

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Hey ariel just a food for thought could we keep chronological than top, on the nose shouldn't be a popularity contest you want you're question answered wake up early and wait in line like the rest of us. Alas what's the best pizza topping? Jalapeños/pepperoni with ranch on the side mmuuahh

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May 4, 2022·edited May 4, 2022

Good Morning Ariel!

1. You mentioned Buffalo wild wings the other week, and so everyone doesnt experience the same trauma as i did, they do not show ppv's anymore. Found out right before it was gonna start last time lol

2. You should 100% be leading the charge on mma hall of fame creation. You're the only person I trust to create it with a sense of integrity.

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May 4, 2022·edited May 4, 2022

Greetings Ariel it is with such sadness I report the passing of my father who passed this Monday due to cancer. Antonio loved boxing and promised me he would attend this upcoming fight involving canelo bivol now I’m left with an empty seat.

Following up on my take from the beginning of the year is it safe to say my prediction for the best fights in combat sports history is living up to expectations? With fury whyte tank rolly Spence ugas Taylor Serrano ,fundora lubin, ggg murata etc etc. and mma aswell ..? How’s the follow up hot take?

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Hi Ariel,

On Monday, you said that Chito Vera seems like a fun guy to smoke the devil's lettuce with.

I know you don't partake in the sticky icky much these days. But name four other fighters that you think it would be fun to share a doobie with.

The Mysterious Frank of pulling mischievous pranks,

Erik

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Hey ariel. Once again I'm on top of a ladder building a movie set😀 so with the news diaz might fight khamzat how much of a chance do you really think he has? I'm a huge diaz fan but I feel that fight will be a one way beat down and other than a big name what does beating diaz do for khamzat? It's almost like ufc doing this to get back at diaz for all the problems he's caused on his way out the door!

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May 4, 2022·edited May 4, 2022

good day mma hour crew!! If Charles beats Justin, next would likely be Beneil/Islam winner, would a khabib return be inevitable if charles beats that opponent, or strictly only if its islam OR is that not even enough to get a return?

Likely Kamaru return date??

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Hello Ariel!

Greetings once again from Ottawa, Canada. Last week, you asked for some spicier questions so here goes.

Boxing has been criticized throughout the years for "fixing" the careers of many of their top stars in lacking true best vs best matchups. It worries me that the recent placements of Paddy the Baddy, Sean O'Malley, and Ian Garry are following in the same path on the MMA side. They don't have real contender potential but the UFC will curate matchups in order to put them in a place to succeed. I understand that they have a business responsibility to milk these promotional cash cows for as long as they can, but it sucks for MMA purists and has some dangerous implications.

It worries me that this same strategy will bleed into fights at the championship level (see: Conor Mcgregor) and we'll lose the truly competitive matchups in the interest of profit. Do you worry that the UFC will start to go down the same path that boxing has in years past?

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Bawoni Ariel 🇳🇬

2 quick questions?

1. Nathan & Dustin want to fight? Is he being forced to now fight Chimaev (when he already said NO) just to fight out his contract. Why build Chimaev as the WW boogyman then put him in someone whose lost their last 3/4 fights. Its not all that competitive and the fight we all want to see is Nathan vs Dustin.

2. Is Paulo Costa trying to get cut lol? Seems reminiscent of Cyborgs manager publicly trying to shame Dana. Either way, it's hilarious.

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hey ariel! have you heard any updates about if Spence vs Crawford will come sometime this year? It feels like the inevitable next fight, but haven’t heard many new developments about a timeframe

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