Ariel, any fear that your disrespect of Matt Serra is going to cause Aljo, Weidman, or whoever else in that camp to not want to come on your show? Chris seemed generally a little taken aback by some of the distasteful things you said. May not be worth burning that bridge. Thoughts?
What are your thoughts on changing judging to a round-for-round majority vote by judges? As an example, for the Kara-France v.s. Albazi fight, KKF wins rounds 1, 4 and 5 with two of three judges in favour of a 10-9 KKF score. Albazi wins rounds two and three 10-9 with all three judges scoring those rounds for Albazi. In the end, KKF wins by a single scorecard of 10-9, 9-10, 9-10, 10-9, 10-9. This would require little changing to the judging process, removes split decisions and helps reduce the impact of a single rogue judge scorecard.
Thanks for the awesome show on Monday. I totally get why you didn't want to keep Izzy too long in order to play darts. In it's place, or just in general, could we get a game between you and anyone from the MMA Hour squad? I'd love to see GC repeat his 180, or NYR blast some bullseye's. I appreciate all you do.
I normally agree with you on lots of stuff. But just to clarify what you said in the interview with Izzy on Monday. DDP never mentioned the word "Real African". Dricus also immediately clarified in his press conference what he meant by "the African champion in the UFC" comment. However that get conveniently overlooked. That is very strange as he literally explained it seconds later. His coached said "Real African", AFTER very racial comments from Usman and Israel. Which once again gets overlooked. You said that you did not like the comments made by DDP's team, however Israel used live racial/racist slurs on your show and recently in an interview with his brother which you conveniently once again overlooked. In this whole saga there was only one side who made it about race and it was not Dricus nor his team. Your whole outlook on this thing seems very biased and toxic.
I know last time in salt lake, it really seemed like all the fighters were gassing out. Even Leon before he landed that head kick was having so much trouble with his cardio
If Oliveira loses to Islam, he is in same strange boat as Whittaker and Holloway. If you were the matchmaker, how would you avoid creating these log jams in each division and how should we treat a former champ number one contender who's lost to the reigning champ multiple times. Move divisions? Trade? I love do bronx, blessed, and bobby knuckles but I dont care about seeing them fight for their old belt against the same guy.
Hey Ariel and crew! Firstly let thank you for your part in opening my eyes. Life is crazy! If you didn't already know i've been a fan for a long time. My early memories of listening to you talk with and about my favourite athletes was around 2013 when i think you were just starting to stretch your episodes to beyond the 3 hour mark (correct me if i'm wrong) I loved the passion and devotion to delivering the best product by far with your intimate chats with fighters and for the most part accurate and unfiltered commentary. I admired you greatly after 199! Forget what the haters say! That day you aired and let it all out was amazing. We have some things in common believe it or not. I too don't mind a good cry and have stood my ground standing up to corporate monsters. My question is do you really still get upset by comments online? I'd be lying if i said i didn't but not too much. Come on man these people don't know shit if they are even real and haters gonna hate. I'll be honest it drains me a bit when you respond to anonymous trolls but if that's who you are then it is what it is. if you removed that cringe we might not get the rest of the awesome journalist we're all here for. you do you Ariel. Wish you all the best. Keep faith
PS. GC please give your boy Jed my regards. Mr no grey area might follow in the footsteps of that other legal expert turned god awful mma journalist with hot takes and get his own show. or perhaps he'll just lose everything betting on things or paying for live streams. peace and a whole lotta love Y'all.
Greetings Ariel, Is there any hierarchy between Mick Maynard & Sean Shelby? I notice that Sean Shelby seems to have the more popular, stronger performing divisions...BW, FW, LW, WW. Is this just coincidence or is there seniority when it comes to the match makers?
Hey Ariel. How do you feel about the thought of MMA judging being replaced with AI? Surely with all the recent advancements it’s something which could be considered if there is an actual mathematical formula behind octagon pressure, shots landed and grappling exchanges.
Mr. Helwani, last week I released an interview for the Bigger Than Me Podcast with Aiemann Zahabi, then watched him fight live in Vancouver, BC. I sat on the edge of my seat, hands sweating, leg shaking as he walked out.
It got me thinking, is this something you still struggle with? Is it at all challenging to interview a fighter and watch them walk out. Of course, I recognize the fighter and their family carry the real weight of fight night. But as a seasoned professional, I’m wondering if this still happens to you - and how you process it.
Thank you as always for your insights, you’ve inspired me to add new wrinkles to my show - in my upcoming episode I take on the Hot Ones Challenge with a guest and endure the hottest hot wings made by First We Feast!
Two months ago, my son Lior was born. On the day of the birth, the doctors told us, he is very small and sensible, which could make it a difficult birth for him (which it also was in the end, but now everything’s fine thankfully), which was a little bit frightening.
However, my first thought after they told this wasn’t “I hope everything’s going to work out well”, but “its ok, even if he’s only 5’4, he’ll have the chance to compete in flyweight, bantamweight and maybe even at featherweight.” Is this process of thoughts a) normal, b) not normal or c) sick.😀
Hi Ariel. On monday, Izzy several times claimed he wanted DDP for the title shot. However after his win against Pereira he specifically said DDP needs one more win to merit a title fight. What do you make of this and do you really think DDP already did enough for getting a title fight?
Long time listener, all the way from The Netherlands here!
I was glad to see Marlon Moraes announcing his retirement following his loss last week. I used to love to watch him, he looked incredible in his run at bantamweight, up to that second round against Cejudo. But then he got finished in 8 of his 9 last fights, and should’ve lost the decision to Aldo imo. This makes me wonder, do you think his losing streak is the biggest downfall a fighter has ever had?
Thank you for all the work you and the crew do. Much love,
. Do you predict Amanda Nunes goes into the Hall of Fame this year? If you were the UFC, would you wait?
. What is your reaction to DC's Jim Miller/HOF comments?
. If you were in charge of the UFC or an MMA HOF, what would be your criteria for a fighter entering?
. Last one (outside of MMA) Do you think Eric Bischoff was a bit too harsh on his comments on AEW? It seems to me if a company sold over 65,000 tickets in Wembley and just scored it's second TV show on a major network, its more than just a hobby.
Big fan BUT, you and everyone else are annoying me when talking about DDP vs Robert Whitaker. If people don’t think DDP can beat Rob, how is he a credible contender to fight Izzy?
Same with Arnold Allen and Max Holloway. If Allen can’t beat Max, then he doesn’t deserve a shot at Volks title. I disagree with the notion that these kind of fights are bad for the up and coming contenders, and believe this is how we find true number 1 contenders. Your thoughts please
Ariel, any fear that your disrespect of Matt Serra is going to cause Aljo, Weidman, or whoever else in that camp to not want to come on your show? Chris seemed generally a little taken aback by some of the distasteful things you said. May not be worth burning that bridge. Thoughts?
Hello Ariel,
What are your thoughts on changing judging to a round-for-round majority vote by judges? As an example, for the Kara-France v.s. Albazi fight, KKF wins rounds 1, 4 and 5 with two of three judges in favour of a 10-9 KKF score. Albazi wins rounds two and three 10-9 with all three judges scoring those rounds for Albazi. In the end, KKF wins by a single scorecard of 10-9, 9-10, 9-10, 10-9, 10-9. This would require little changing to the judging process, removes split decisions and helps reduce the impact of a single rogue judge scorecard.
Yo Ariel,
Thanks for the awesome show on Monday. I totally get why you didn't want to keep Izzy too long in order to play darts. In it's place, or just in general, could we get a game between you and anyone from the MMA Hour squad? I'd love to see GC repeat his 180, or NYR blast some bullseye's. I appreciate all you do.
Your homie,
Sunny Chung
Hi Ariel
I normally agree with you on lots of stuff. But just to clarify what you said in the interview with Izzy on Monday. DDP never mentioned the word "Real African". Dricus also immediately clarified in his press conference what he meant by "the African champion in the UFC" comment. However that get conveniently overlooked. That is very strange as he literally explained it seconds later. His coached said "Real African", AFTER very racial comments from Usman and Israel. Which once again gets overlooked. You said that you did not like the comments made by DDP's team, however Israel used live racial/racist slurs on your show and recently in an interview with his brother which you conveniently once again overlooked. In this whole saga there was only one side who made it about race and it was not Dricus nor his team. Your whole outlook on this thing seems very biased and toxic.
Just my opinion. Have a great day.
Rikus
As it says at the top, anything goes, but have you got a question?
Well, it is too late now. Next time I will conclude my statement with a question.😉
Hey Ariel,
Is there any world where UFC buys bellator? If not give us a hint as to who could be in running to buy.
Hey Ariel! Is Poirier is taking Gaethje and the elevation serious enough for this upcoming July rematch? Everyone except for Usman gassed last time.
Good question… now I’m curious..
I know last time in salt lake, it really seemed like all the fighters were gassing out. Even Leon before he landed that head kick was having so much trouble with his cardio
If Oliveira loses to Islam, he is in same strange boat as Whittaker and Holloway. If you were the matchmaker, how would you avoid creating these log jams in each division and how should we treat a former champ number one contender who's lost to the reigning champ multiple times. Move divisions? Trade? I love do bronx, blessed, and bobby knuckles but I dont care about seeing them fight for their old belt against the same guy.
Hey Ariel and crew! Firstly let thank you for your part in opening my eyes. Life is crazy! If you didn't already know i've been a fan for a long time. My early memories of listening to you talk with and about my favourite athletes was around 2013 when i think you were just starting to stretch your episodes to beyond the 3 hour mark (correct me if i'm wrong) I loved the passion and devotion to delivering the best product by far with your intimate chats with fighters and for the most part accurate and unfiltered commentary. I admired you greatly after 199! Forget what the haters say! That day you aired and let it all out was amazing. We have some things in common believe it or not. I too don't mind a good cry and have stood my ground standing up to corporate monsters. My question is do you really still get upset by comments online? I'd be lying if i said i didn't but not too much. Come on man these people don't know shit if they are even real and haters gonna hate. I'll be honest it drains me a bit when you respond to anonymous trolls but if that's who you are then it is what it is. if you removed that cringe we might not get the rest of the awesome journalist we're all here for. you do you Ariel. Wish you all the best. Keep faith
PS. GC please give your boy Jed my regards. Mr no grey area might follow in the footsteps of that other legal expert turned god awful mma journalist with hot takes and get his own show. or perhaps he'll just lose everything betting on things or paying for live streams. peace and a whole lotta love Y'all.
Greetings Ariel, Is there any hierarchy between Mick Maynard & Sean Shelby? I notice that Sean Shelby seems to have the more popular, stronger performing divisions...BW, FW, LW, WW. Is this just coincidence or is there seniority when it comes to the match makers?
Hey Ariel. How do you feel about the thought of MMA judging being replaced with AI? Surely with all the recent advancements it’s something which could be considered if there is an actual mathematical formula behind octagon pressure, shots landed and grappling exchanges.
Mr. Helwani, last week I released an interview for the Bigger Than Me Podcast with Aiemann Zahabi, then watched him fight live in Vancouver, BC. I sat on the edge of my seat, hands sweating, leg shaking as he walked out.
It got me thinking, is this something you still struggle with? Is it at all challenging to interview a fighter and watch them walk out. Of course, I recognize the fighter and their family carry the real weight of fight night. But as a seasoned professional, I’m wondering if this still happens to you - and how you process it.
Thank you as always for your insights, you’ve inspired me to add new wrinkles to my show - in my upcoming episode I take on the Hot Ones Challenge with a guest and endure the hottest hot wings made by First We Feast!
Hi Ariel
Two months ago, my son Lior was born. On the day of the birth, the doctors told us, he is very small and sensible, which could make it a difficult birth for him (which it also was in the end, but now everything’s fine thankfully), which was a little bit frightening.
However, my first thought after they told this wasn’t “I hope everything’s going to work out well”, but “its ok, even if he’s only 5’4, he’ll have the chance to compete in flyweight, bantamweight and maybe even at featherweight.” Is this process of thoughts a) normal, b) not normal or c) sick.😀
Thank you and all the best from Switzerland
Jeremy
Hi Ariel. On monday, Izzy several times claimed he wanted DDP for the title shot. However after his win against Pereira he specifically said DDP needs one more win to merit a title fight. What do you make of this and do you really think DDP already did enough for getting a title fight?
Dear Ariel & crew,
Long time listener, all the way from The Netherlands here!
I was glad to see Marlon Moraes announcing his retirement following his loss last week. I used to love to watch him, he looked incredible in his run at bantamweight, up to that second round against Cejudo. But then he got finished in 8 of his 9 last fights, and should’ve lost the decision to Aldo imo. This makes me wonder, do you think his losing streak is the biggest downfall a fighter has ever had?
Thank you for all the work you and the crew do. Much love,
Luc
Hi Ariel! Several MMA/UFC Hall of Fame Questions
. Do you predict Amanda Nunes goes into the Hall of Fame this year? If you were the UFC, would you wait?
. What is your reaction to DC's Jim Miller/HOF comments?
. If you were in charge of the UFC or an MMA HOF, what would be your criteria for a fighter entering?
. Last one (outside of MMA) Do you think Eric Bischoff was a bit too harsh on his comments on AEW? It seems to me if a company sold over 65,000 tickets in Wembley and just scored it's second TV show on a major network, its more than just a hobby.
Hello Ariel,
Big fan BUT, you and everyone else are annoying me when talking about DDP vs Robert Whitaker. If people don’t think DDP can beat Rob, how is he a credible contender to fight Izzy?
Same with Arnold Allen and Max Holloway. If Allen can’t beat Max, then he doesn’t deserve a shot at Volks title. I disagree with the notion that these kind of fights are bad for the up and coming contenders, and believe this is how we find true number 1 contenders. Your thoughts please