G’day Ariel, you’ve talked a lot about an MMA hall of fame but what about we start a “The MMA Hour” hall of fame. Who are your first inductees for the following categories.
Chael Sonnen dropping the Vince McMahon tales “ 10 people, 8 of them women” for some reason still cracks me up. Special mention for Francis Ngannou interview 1 year ago today, one for the ages
Hello Hello! Any truth to the Khabib vs Leon rumor for 300? If so, hear me out... Let's pretend he does come back. He has a chance to not only get his 30th win, but become a 2 weight champ. You'd think that would be the end. But if that did happen, and Conor beat Chandler in June in amazing fashion and cut an equally amazing promo the likes of Chandler's callout of Conor, is there any chance the MMA gods give us Conor vs Khabib 2 at the Sphere in December to close out the year? Is there anything at all on God's green earth that could motivate Khabib to defend his new title vs Conor?
Ariel, you once made a comment about Joe Benevedes unlikely coming on the show due to Megan Olivi supposedly having beef with you. As a Helwani fan and an Olivi fan/cuck, how could two amazing people like you two have beef? What happened?? We're dying to know
Hello Ariel! Sending positive vibes for a Bills win over the Chiefs.
I’m holding strong onto the thought that Cody Rhodes has to be the one to finally beat Roman Reigns for the title, but I’m worried that WWE may do Roman vs The Rock at WrestleMania. That’s obviously a great match, but in my opinion, Cody’s win has to be at Mania. Would it be crazy for them to have Roman hold the title until Mania 41 for Cody to finally finish his story?
Hey Ariel and crew!! As you are reading this me and my dog are running 12 miles along the Sacramento river. Thanks for the awesome broadcast, boys !!!
Am I the only one who doesn’t want to see Justin vs Max? I was in Vegas watching Volk beat Max into a pulp. It was what it was.
I love Blessed and have no interest in watching him get leg kicked into oblivion. Justin Gaethje is too big and has already layed waste to fan favs El Cucuy and Michael Chandler. Would hate to see this as a downward spiral for Max.
Ohana means family, will somebody please think of the children!!! (Simpsons reference)
Heelwani, With the royal rumble coming up and wrestle mania basically around the corner. What are some thoughts n predictions and maybe even some wishes you have for those events? Also any ideas on where MJF is gonna end up? Praying he goes to WWE but still want him to be the same character!
Please expand on Aljo's recent interview where he said there is no need for managers for most fighters. Suga has been saying this for a while. However I look at the likes of Marquel Martin or a Jason House and think potentially otherwise. You are one of the few that talks to both sides of the aisle, how do you feel about this?
Bonus: please talk about how the potential downfall of ONE and how only 2 promotions in the pond would affect the MMA ecosystem and most importantly the fighters.
I feel times are changing, UFC is losing substantial star power in the next few years and fighters are becoming more educated on the business, it should make for some exciting theater!
You absolute biscuit! (South African for good thing!)
I am writing this right after your interview with AJ and I am BUZZIN, lad! Ah you know yourself Ariel that might have been your best interview ever!
In all seriousness what a job you did. We sometimes don't know which AJ is going to turn up in interviews these days so I'm sure you were sweating beforehand... And that brings me to my question...
Which are some of the biggest interviews you have ever done and why? And you can decide how to interpret biggest... Maybe the biggest fallout post interview, or the biggest numbers or vitality, or biggest stars or heroes of yours, or for what's at stake professionally for you, or even an interview that has opened the doors to more or others for you...
Big shout-out to all the MMA hour crew and all the best to you and yours.
Does it improve MMA judging to change to round-by-round majority V.S. fight total scoring? As an example, if the three judges vote round one 10-9, 10-9, 9-10, on the single final scorecard it’s ruled 10-9 due to the majority decision. Same would go for a 10-9, 10-9, 10-8 vote. Tally up the final single scorecard and boom there’s your winner. No more split decisions, fewer power for rogue judges, minimal actual changes to the judging process…
NYRic, does this not make logical sense as it’s how we actually discuss and break down fights post match? GC, aren’t there some delicious round specific parlays you’d love to play with?
A couple of the more recent, egregious decisions it reverses: Grasso-Shevchenko 2, Kara France- Abalzi… Doesn’t fix them all but it seems like a simple adjustment.
From renting UFC at the video store and downloading knockout highlights on Napster, Limewire and Kazaa (Frank knows what’s up) to now, this sport has been a wild ride. You’ve been a beacon since the very beginning. Much love and respect to you and all the crews. Stoked to see you covering the Olympics. Oh Canada, Go Canada 🇨🇦
I went to a Puerto Rican restaurant in Phoenix for the first time and had an absolutely fantastic experience. The chicken was melt-in your-mouth tender, the empanadas were packed with unique flavors, and the plantain desserts were heavenly, yet not too sweet. With your trip to PR today, what's going in your belly while in our favorite U.S. Commonwealth?
In your (and the boys) opinion how would a fight between Craig jones and Dillon Danis go?? Craig once said on the MMA Hour that the only way he’d take fight is if it was for a lot of money and the easiest fight. Obviously this is a niche idea for a fight but given the lack of stars don’t you think this would be a good idea for the UFC to bring combat athletes from other sports (Boxing, BJj, WWE, etc.) and compete in a neutral sport? Contract hurdles aside.
Hey Ariel and crew huge fan of the show it’s my favourite show and the only thing I watch constantly other than the UFC my question is what are your thoughts on this Nina Drama character in the MMA space I haven’t heard you speak about her at all and interested to see what you think P.S. I have an amateur MMA fight for BFL on February 8th in 3 weeks and it would make my week if gc Rick and frank would wish me luck before it I’ll be looking to represent the MMA hour crew out there, much love 👊🏽
What are your thoughts on a potential Francis Ngannou vs. Gordon Ryan MMA superfight in PFL in December 2024? And do you think this idea is at all realistic?
Francis vs. Gordon would be the ultimate version of the grappler vs. striker question that has been central to the sport since UFC 1. However, booking it would require Gordon Ryan to agree to both fight and stop using PEDs, neither of which he has ever agreed to do before.
Am curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks and love the show!
Hi Ariel. I think it’s time we raise the intellectual level of these questions.
Marry one, kill one & have sexual relations with one. GC, Frank & Ric.
G’day Ariel, you’ve talked a lot about an MMA hall of fame but what about we start a “The MMA Hour” hall of fame. Who are your first inductees for the following categories.
- In studio moment
- Single Interview
- Guest
Chael Sonnen dropping the Vince McMahon tales “ 10 people, 8 of them women” for some reason still cracks me up. Special mention for Francis Ngannou interview 1 year ago today, one for the ages
Hello Hello! Any truth to the Khabib vs Leon rumor for 300? If so, hear me out... Let's pretend he does come back. He has a chance to not only get his 30th win, but become a 2 weight champ. You'd think that would be the end. But if that did happen, and Conor beat Chandler in June in amazing fashion and cut an equally amazing promo the likes of Chandler's callout of Conor, is there any chance the MMA gods give us Conor vs Khabib 2 at the Sphere in December to close out the year? Is there anything at all on God's green earth that could motivate Khabib to defend his new title vs Conor?
Ariel, you once made a comment about Joe Benevedes unlikely coming on the show due to Megan Olivi supposedly having beef with you. As a Helwani fan and an Olivi fan/cuck, how could two amazing people like you two have beef? What happened?? We're dying to know
Hello Ariel! Sending positive vibes for a Bills win over the Chiefs.
I’m holding strong onto the thought that Cody Rhodes has to be the one to finally beat Roman Reigns for the title, but I’m worried that WWE may do Roman vs The Rock at WrestleMania. That’s obviously a great match, but in my opinion, Cody’s win has to be at Mania. Would it be crazy for them to have Roman hold the title until Mania 41 for Cody to finally finish his story?
Hey Ariel and crew!! As you are reading this me and my dog are running 12 miles along the Sacramento river. Thanks for the awesome broadcast, boys !!!
Am I the only one who doesn’t want to see Justin vs Max? I was in Vegas watching Volk beat Max into a pulp. It was what it was.
I love Blessed and have no interest in watching him get leg kicked into oblivion. Justin Gaethje is too big and has already layed waste to fan favs El Cucuy and Michael Chandler. Would hate to see this as a downward spiral for Max.
Ohana means family, will somebody please think of the children!!! (Simpsons reference)
True or False question for all the guys.
Ariel Helwani will one day be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame as a journalist. Even if it's posthumously. I say true
True
Heelwani, With the royal rumble coming up and wrestle mania basically around the corner. What are some thoughts n predictions and maybe even some wishes you have for those events? Also any ideas on where MJF is gonna end up? Praying he goes to WWE but still want him to be the same character!
-->questioner cuts right to the chase
-->queue AJ and crew appreciating this
Please expand on Aljo's recent interview where he said there is no need for managers for most fighters. Suga has been saying this for a while. However I look at the likes of Marquel Martin or a Jason House and think potentially otherwise. You are one of the few that talks to both sides of the aisle, how do you feel about this?
Bonus: please talk about how the potential downfall of ONE and how only 2 promotions in the pond would affect the MMA ecosystem and most importantly the fighters.
I feel times are changing, UFC is losing substantial star power in the next few years and fighters are becoming more educated on the business, it should make for some exciting theater!
Wishing you all the best
-meow
AH-RI-ELLLL!!!
You absolute biscuit! (South African for good thing!)
I am writing this right after your interview with AJ and I am BUZZIN, lad! Ah you know yourself Ariel that might have been your best interview ever!
In all seriousness what a job you did. We sometimes don't know which AJ is going to turn up in interviews these days so I'm sure you were sweating beforehand... And that brings me to my question...
Which are some of the biggest interviews you have ever done and why? And you can decide how to interpret biggest... Maybe the biggest fallout post interview, or the biggest numbers or vitality, or biggest stars or heroes of yours, or for what's at stake professionally for you, or even an interview that has opened the doors to more or others for you...
Big shout-out to all the MMA hour crew and all the best to you and yours.
Yaron
Ariel & team,
Ageee/Disagree:
Sean is the reason for the success of 299?
-OR-
UFC wants it to appear as if Sean is “near Conor level” for negotiating purposes, but in fact, it was the strength of the card that sold the PPV?
Debate!
Dear Lord Jacobs,
Does it improve MMA judging to change to round-by-round majority V.S. fight total scoring? As an example, if the three judges vote round one 10-9, 10-9, 9-10, on the single final scorecard it’s ruled 10-9 due to the majority decision. Same would go for a 10-9, 10-9, 10-8 vote. Tally up the final single scorecard and boom there’s your winner. No more split decisions, fewer power for rogue judges, minimal actual changes to the judging process…
NYRic, does this not make logical sense as it’s how we actually discuss and break down fights post match? GC, aren’t there some delicious round specific parlays you’d love to play with?
A couple of the more recent, egregious decisions it reverses: Grasso-Shevchenko 2, Kara France- Abalzi… Doesn’t fix them all but it seems like a simple adjustment.
From renting UFC at the video store and downloading knockout highlights on Napster, Limewire and Kazaa (Frank knows what’s up) to now, this sport has been a wild ride. You’ve been a beacon since the very beginning. Much love and respect to you and all the crews. Stoked to see you covering the Olympics. Oh Canada, Go Canada 🇨🇦
I went to a Puerto Rican restaurant in Phoenix for the first time and had an absolutely fantastic experience. The chicken was melt-in your-mouth tender, the empanadas were packed with unique flavors, and the plantain desserts were heavenly, yet not too sweet. With your trip to PR today, what's going in your belly while in our favorite U.S. Commonwealth?
In your (and the boys) opinion how would a fight between Craig jones and Dillon Danis go?? Craig once said on the MMA Hour that the only way he’d take fight is if it was for a lot of money and the easiest fight. Obviously this is a niche idea for a fight but given the lack of stars don’t you think this would be a good idea for the UFC to bring combat athletes from other sports (Boxing, BJj, WWE, etc.) and compete in a neutral sport? Contract hurdles aside.
Hey Ariel and crew huge fan of the show it’s my favourite show and the only thing I watch constantly other than the UFC my question is what are your thoughts on this Nina Drama character in the MMA space I haven’t heard you speak about her at all and interested to see what you think P.S. I have an amateur MMA fight for BFL on February 8th in 3 weeks and it would make my week if gc Rick and frank would wish me luck before it I’ll be looking to represent the MMA hour crew out there, much love 👊🏽
Hello Ariel, Conner, Ric, and Frank,
What are your thoughts on a potential Francis Ngannou vs. Gordon Ryan MMA superfight in PFL in December 2024? And do you think this idea is at all realistic?
Francis vs. Gordon would be the ultimate version of the grappler vs. striker question that has been central to the sport since UFC 1. However, booking it would require Gordon Ryan to agree to both fight and stop using PEDs, neither of which he has ever agreed to do before.
Am curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks and love the show!
-Brian F.