Hi. It’s that time of the week again. Questions have been great as of late. Seriously, I am reading them all, and I really appreciate them. So, as always, everything and anything goes. I’ll answer ‘em on Wednesday’s show. Again, try to keep them short and sweet, if possible. That increases your chances of having the question answered on air.
Ariel - any blowback for your comments regarding Nina drama from last week? I thought what you said was right on point but then I saw her post in X with a picture of the make mma media great again hat on.
Hey Ariel, do you believe they went with Hill vs Pereira for UFC for the safety that they could put Jiri Prochaka in Incase of an injury? (Wouldn't want another late fallout like UFC 200)
Hola Ariel! I thought it was odd that Dana White seemed to be putting all the blame on Conor McGregor during the post press conference. It seems like Conor wants to fight so what’s going on here?
For the last 10 years I've been getting free UFC posters, and everyone else can to. I will share how. Below is a link to UFC sponsored bars which air PPV events. Weeks before the PPV these bars are sent around 10 posters each by the UFC to promote the event. Years ago I started asking the staff at different bars what they do with the posters after the event has aired, and all of them said the same thing, they toss them in the garbage.
So I began asking for them, and they would say go ahead. Over the years I've acquired dozens of free posters and have never had one place say I couldn't take it. You do have to wait until the night of the PPV to take them, but this is a life hack and I hope others will try this out and report back. Just ask the staff kindly and I guarantee you they will let you take it for free. It's better these posters end up in people's homes than in landfills.
Did you see Michael Chandler call out Conor on Raw? What's up with that? Is this delay now a work? Did Iron Mike go into business for themselves? Is TKO using their other properties to pressure Conor to accept Dana's terms? Is this all just supposed to be some harmless fun? Am I losing my mind? Are you? Who me? Please help...
I see Izzy x Khamzat is being promoted for Saudi Arabia June 23rd. Are you able to confirm this? Thoughts on the fight? What is Khamzat wins? Would the UFC have a guy that can't even fight in the US as the next title challenger? This all seems crazy. Thanks, love the show.
My amazing girlfriend of 4 years has fallen in love with….. mma. Now this may seem like every guy’s dream, but I want to be clear that she’s got that ‘let’s plan our Saturday around the apex card’ level of love.
This is without a doubt a net positive in my life, as there was a time when she wouldn’t even stay awake until the end of a ppv. Now in 2024, she has her bets and parlays placed hours before I’ve even thought about them and she even impulse bought us ufc 299 tix. I’m living the dream over here.
With that said, Chito is my favorite fighter and her favorite fighter is Sean O’Malley, and well - it’s starting to cause some disruption in this peaceful home. Gone are the days of a good, relaxing breakfast with an almond milk latte without mention of “God, Chito’s such a boring fighter.”
As we approach UFC 299, do I play nice guy and pretend it’s not a big deal (it’s not a big deal btw) - or do I go full heel and lean into the conflict to build the fight at 299? Is this the time to test the limits of our relationship?
I’m a peace-builder, but I think this rivalry could build character in our relationship if I play the heel well enough. What would Chael do? Thoughts?
After getting my heart broken by Topuria when he KO’d my man Volk into oblivion, I think it would be smart for Volk to do the ol Freddie Roach approach whenever he told Manny Pacquiao to take a year off after getting KO’d by Marquez.
If he did indeed take that year off, do you think he would have to take a few fights before getting another shot at the title? Or would his resume grant him an instant shot at the title upon returning?
Hey Ariel! Much love to you and the crew including mysterious frank.
I am a long time listener and finally found out how to submit questions, shout out to Newyorkrick! I have a bunch of questions so you can pick whichever you'd like:
1. Given your fame and UFCs fame, do you think there would ever be a day you and Dana White have a one on one interview? And if so what is your dying question(s) that you would ask him?
2. What are some of the crews hobbies outside of MMA? And yes am calling it a hobby. I feel we know much about Ariel (and feel free to add Ariel) but what about the magnificent crew including mysterious Frank?
3. Do you have any insight as to Dana White's claim about "going everywhere" I feel this comes up whenever we have an international champion, "We want to go to x location" but is any of it true? Africa, Spain, or even places they went to ages ago like Ireland, business wise it would be great! Why hasn't UFC done more?
4. Given how big and consistent TheMMAHour is, are there any talks of increasing the amount of days you folks do your show? Or more live or international shows even?
I appreciate all of you, it is an absolute pleasure to watch and listen every time you're on
Hi Ariel & Team! Will you be watching Elimination Chamber on Saturday? I know Sami Zayn isn’t in the actual chamber match, but my prediction is Drew McIntyre wins and they insert Sami into the match later on to make it a triple threat for the WHC at WM.
Hello again Ariel and crew. Thanks for answering my question last week. While going through a tough time in life it definitely raised my spirits. It’s also shows that if people keep asking questions they will eventually get their turn.
So here goes. When I heard that Volk wanted to move up and fight for the title my first thought was about when max done the same he never really got that momentum back and I thought the same may happen.
While it may lead to a big fight or 2 I feel any long raining champion that has done it has lost more money than they would have made in those couple of fights because some have missed out on the PPV bonus. (Just a hunch I could be wrong).
While skill is obviously the biggest factor in this game how important would you say momentum is to these elite guys and do you think losing the aura of invincibility for the likes of Holloway/ Adesanya and volkanovski to name a few has been a big factor in some of their fights since?
Also your picks to win in the elimination chamber?
'Twas a fun night of fights this past weekend, and now looking forward to this Saturday's events (especially PFL v Bellator in the afternoon)..
Oh how quickly we all move on though, while the fighters and their family, friends, etc. have to deal with the results/repercussions for the rest of their lives. Quite sad & unforgiving..
That being said, if you had an mma time machine what would be a few examples of "don't do it!" warnings you might give out? Examples: "don't take the Islam fight on short-notice!" to Volk, "don't cut weight twice in a week!" to Tony, "don't wait for Conor!", etc.
Also, any truth to the rumor of Izzy vs. Khamzat in Saudi?
Thanks for the great content, as always! ..Go Bills
Hey Ariel! Dana made it clear Leon Edwards was willing and able to fight at UFC 300, but could not get a matchup for him. So when do you predict we see Leon next? Could he headline UFC 301 in Brazil? Or possibly the Saudi card in June?
Also, feedback for GC and the PPV watch party. I’d recommend moving the placement of the bet slip above GC’s head. Whenever he jumps out of his chair and reacts to anything, the bet slip is covering his face and reaction.
Fav segment of the week!!
Ariel - any blowback for your comments regarding Nina drama from last week? I thought what you said was right on point but then I saw her post in X with a picture of the make mma media great again hat on.
GC - any updates on merch??!!??!
Hey Ariel, do you believe they went with Hill vs Pereira for UFC for the safety that they could put Jiri Prochaka in Incase of an injury? (Wouldn't want another late fallout like UFC 200)
Hola Ariel! I thought it was odd that Dana White seemed to be putting all the blame on Conor McGregor during the post press conference. It seems like Conor wants to fight so what’s going on here?
Sup Ariel,
For the last 10 years I've been getting free UFC posters, and everyone else can to. I will share how. Below is a link to UFC sponsored bars which air PPV events. Weeks before the PPV these bars are sent around 10 posters each by the UFC to promote the event. Years ago I started asking the staff at different bars what they do with the posters after the event has aired, and all of them said the same thing, they toss them in the garbage.
So I began asking for them, and they would say go ahead. Over the years I've acquired dozens of free posters and have never had one place say I couldn't take it. You do have to wait until the night of the PPV to take them, but this is a life hack and I hope others will try this out and report back. Just ask the staff kindly and I guarantee you they will let you take it for free. It's better these posters end up in people's homes than in landfills.
https://www.ufc.com/bars
Ariel,
Did you see Michael Chandler call out Conor on Raw? What's up with that? Is this delay now a work? Did Iron Mike go into business for themselves? Is TKO using their other properties to pressure Conor to accept Dana's terms? Is this all just supposed to be some harmless fun? Am I losing my mind? Are you? Who me? Please help...
Who wins in an MMA match between Ric and GC?
I see Izzy x Khamzat is being promoted for Saudi Arabia June 23rd. Are you able to confirm this? Thoughts on the fight? What is Khamzat wins? Would the UFC have a guy that can't even fight in the US as the next title challenger? This all seems crazy. Thanks, love the show.
Hi Ariel,
Let’s talk about love.
My amazing girlfriend of 4 years has fallen in love with….. mma. Now this may seem like every guy’s dream, but I want to be clear that she’s got that ‘let’s plan our Saturday around the apex card’ level of love.
This is without a doubt a net positive in my life, as there was a time when she wouldn’t even stay awake until the end of a ppv. Now in 2024, she has her bets and parlays placed hours before I’ve even thought about them and she even impulse bought us ufc 299 tix. I’m living the dream over here.
With that said, Chito is my favorite fighter and her favorite fighter is Sean O’Malley, and well - it’s starting to cause some disruption in this peaceful home. Gone are the days of a good, relaxing breakfast with an almond milk latte without mention of “God, Chito’s such a boring fighter.”
As we approach UFC 299, do I play nice guy and pretend it’s not a big deal (it’s not a big deal btw) - or do I go full heel and lean into the conflict to build the fight at 299? Is this the time to test the limits of our relationship?
I’m a peace-builder, but I think this rivalry could build character in our relationship if I play the heel well enough. What would Chael do? Thoughts?
- Taco
Hey Ariel,
After getting my heart broken by Topuria when he KO’d my man Volk into oblivion, I think it would be smart for Volk to do the ol Freddie Roach approach whenever he told Manny Pacquiao to take a year off after getting KO’d by Marquez.
If he did indeed take that year off, do you think he would have to take a few fights before getting another shot at the title? Or would his resume grant him an instant shot at the title upon returning?
Thoughts?
Shalom Ariel,
As touched on in Mondays installment Volks late replacement and Henry’s early retirement are some of the biggest blunders in combat sports history.
I was wondering what the crews opinions were on whose decision will go down as the worser of the two?
As always have a great weekend!
(p.s. If struggling to decide, think of the fight metrics!)
Greetings Ariel “Who Me?” Helwani!
Let me start by saying I’m a huge fan, so my question is not an attack of any sorts. Rather, I’m setting you up for a 10-7 against the haters.
Dana has recently criticized the MMA media for getting the UFC 300 main event wrong. Can you please respond to this?
From a fan in Bakersfield, CA,
Gabriel S.
Hey Ariel! Much love to you and the crew including mysterious frank.
I am a long time listener and finally found out how to submit questions, shout out to Newyorkrick! I have a bunch of questions so you can pick whichever you'd like:
1. Given your fame and UFCs fame, do you think there would ever be a day you and Dana White have a one on one interview? And if so what is your dying question(s) that you would ask him?
2. What are some of the crews hobbies outside of MMA? And yes am calling it a hobby. I feel we know much about Ariel (and feel free to add Ariel) but what about the magnificent crew including mysterious Frank?
3. Do you have any insight as to Dana White's claim about "going everywhere" I feel this comes up whenever we have an international champion, "We want to go to x location" but is any of it true? Africa, Spain, or even places they went to ages ago like Ireland, business wise it would be great! Why hasn't UFC done more?
4. Given how big and consistent TheMMAHour is, are there any talks of increasing the amount of days you folks do your show? Or more live or international shows even?
I appreciate all of you, it is an absolute pleasure to watch and listen every time you're on
Best,
Adell
Hi Ariel & Team! Will you be watching Elimination Chamber on Saturday? I know Sami Zayn isn’t in the actual chamber match, but my prediction is Drew McIntyre wins and they insert Sami into the match later on to make it a triple threat for the WHC at WM.
Hello again Ariel and crew. Thanks for answering my question last week. While going through a tough time in life it definitely raised my spirits. It’s also shows that if people keep asking questions they will eventually get their turn.
So here goes. When I heard that Volk wanted to move up and fight for the title my first thought was about when max done the same he never really got that momentum back and I thought the same may happen.
While it may lead to a big fight or 2 I feel any long raining champion that has done it has lost more money than they would have made in those couple of fights because some have missed out on the PPV bonus. (Just a hunch I could be wrong).
While skill is obviously the biggest factor in this game how important would you say momentum is to these elite guys and do you think losing the aura of invincibility for the likes of Holloway/ Adesanya and volkanovski to name a few has been a big factor in some of their fights since?
Also your picks to win in the elimination chamber?
Hi Ariel & The Gang,
'Twas a fun night of fights this past weekend, and now looking forward to this Saturday's events (especially PFL v Bellator in the afternoon)..
Oh how quickly we all move on though, while the fighters and their family, friends, etc. have to deal with the results/repercussions for the rest of their lives. Quite sad & unforgiving..
That being said, if you had an mma time machine what would be a few examples of "don't do it!" warnings you might give out? Examples: "don't take the Islam fight on short-notice!" to Volk, "don't cut weight twice in a week!" to Tony, "don't wait for Conor!", etc.
Also, any truth to the rumor of Izzy vs. Khamzat in Saudi?
Thanks for the great content, as always! ..Go Bills
Hey Ariel! Dana made it clear Leon Edwards was willing and able to fight at UFC 300, but could not get a matchup for him. So when do you predict we see Leon next? Could he headline UFC 301 in Brazil? Or possibly the Saudi card in June?
Also, feedback for GC and the PPV watch party. I’d recommend moving the placement of the bet slip above GC’s head. Whenever he jumps out of his chair and reacts to anything, the bet slip is covering his face and reaction.