107 Comments

Hello Ariel and Crew,

Congratulations on the new channel and partnership, wishing you all great success and will be watching every day! I have a 2 part question for you. First, now that the Ariel Helwani Show is 3 days a week along with the 2 others, do you think you would consider covering the Contender Series results when that is going on and discussing potential future stars from each new week now that it has produced top UFC fighters and former champs? Similar to that, would you guys consider a potential short segment in one of the shows where you talk about a top prospect to be on the lookout for from the top regional promotions (LFA, FURY, CFFC, Cage Warriors, etc...) that you guys could see getting the call up soon? Thanks, from your supporter for life Dominic!

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Hi Ariel, do you know anything about the reasoning behind why ONE moved their Atlanta event to Thailand? GC must be gutted, I'm sure he was planning to go to ONE ATL. I read on reddit that it's because ONE had partnered with StageFrontVIP, a ticket scalping company, for their Denver show so that they can say that they sold out quickly. StageFrontVIP lost a lot of money from their Denver show so they backed out of the partnership with ONE for the Atlanta show. So without StageFrontVIP giving the veil of their Atlanta show selling out quickly, they moved the show to Thailand. If this is true then this would mean that ONE actually DOESNT sell well in the states at all. Is this true Ariel? Will ONE ever be back in the states?

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Still waiting on my refund too 😭

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founding

Ariel, Boys in the back (love that name) and Petesy,

The Uncrowned era is here and it's vibrant and radiating like the window over Helwani's shoulder. Love the studio, love the lower thirds and colour palette. It's all giving Damn Daniel.

84 days since you last sat in a studio and did what you do best. Now we're here, can you and the boys reflect on how it felt to all make the leap from where you were and onto this journey to build Uncrowned and the AH Show.

Much love,

Louis

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Hey guys! This is not a dig at all. But don’t you think MMA Media in general should do a better job at highlighting up and coming fighters? Rather than calling cards with entry level fighters “weak”?

Yes, it’s the promotions job to drive interest, but fighting years in the regional scene to finally make it to the UFC and be disregarded for your first few fights seems a little disrespectful.

If you’re going to cover the sport, shouldn’t you at least do a little research and make an effort to give some background/style information? Thank you!

Ex:

I’ve had friends make it to the UFC and I want them to get as much exposure as possible without having to come up with a gimmick! There’s YouTubers who do a better job than a lot of media, Thank you!

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Hey Ariel i tried to word my question in the most positive way last week and I’ve been watching you since I started watching MMA and I truly believe you have the fighters best interest in mind. And are fighter first!

I agree with everything you said about holding the UFC to a higher standard, My question was not directed at the promotion aspect of the coverage but rather a question about how most media knows nothing about new fighters. If I signed to the UFC today it would be nice to be acknowledged. And a simple Google will tell you a little more about their background “this fighter has a jiu jitsu background, don’t know much about him but has a record of 10-1 this is their debut” something to at least have the fighters name be heard on a big platform. Even if they only get one fight in the promotion. I understand

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Thank you for bringing this up, I totally agree with everything you said! This question is very similar to mine funny enough!

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Hola Ariel! Congrats to you and all the boys on the new digs. Excited to have something to listen to five days a week on my commute back and forth from Duke (I just started my Masters)!

I want to reopen the can of worms re: FOTY 2024. Luke Thomas and others have convincingly argued that a dominant (as in finish) victory by either Max or Ilia would position them as fighter of the year. You were adamant that the case is closed for Alex, but I would like to hear your opinion on the actual strength of schedules. Jamahal was gifted a title shot and (through no fault of his own) never defended it. Jiri already lost to Alex and has negative defense. Khalil has the most controversial title shot of the three yet was the most competitive! None of the three are Hall of Famers as Max/Volk/(probably) Gaethje are, so can you clarify that your stance on Alex is primarily due to the short timespan? It is very impressive, but I am FAR less impressed by those three wins than I would be by Max or Ilia’s potential 2024. Curious to hear your and the boys’ thoughts!

(Blessed Express forever)

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Congrats on starting your Masters, I just finished mine this past spring at Ole Miss! Education might be the most valuable resource in the world!

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Thanks! Hoping to stick around and do a Ph.D. here - the only thing tougher to get than an MMA media gig is a TT professorship, but gonna give it a shot!

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Best of luck!

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Hi Ariel,

In relation to yesterday's discussion about the BMF belt being on the line for Max vs Ilia. Is Belal Muhammad the lineal BMF champ?

Masvidal>Usman>Leon>Belal

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Good point! Belal is probably the last guy the UFC had in mind for the original BMF belt and now he’s the lineal BMF.

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Oct 16·edited Oct 16

Hello Ariel and crew!

Welcome back and congrats on launching the combat sports juggernaut Uncrowned. Petesy has been an incredible addition to the show and I am really looking forward to The Boys In The Back on Thursday!

I have called Charlotte NC home for the past 12 years. Little did I know when I watched TUF 29 back in 2021 that Charlotte’s own Bryan ‘The Butcher’ Battle would emerge as a breakout star for the UFC in 2024. I watched him ignite the home crowd in May 2023 with a 14 second KO of Gabe Green, and just a few weeks ago I felt like a proud father watching him deliver the promo of the year in Paris after another spectacular finish.

It was recently announced that he will face Randy Brown at UFC 310 in what will be the biggest fight of his career to date. When is The Butcher going to be on the AH Show, and what are your thoughts on his future with a win in December?

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Hello Ariel and crew

I was just wondering if you have seen the falling out between Ryan Curtis and Leah McCourt in the last couple of months. I know she came on your channel when Ryan first got injured but I have now seen allegations that she has taken the money from the go fund me that was set up to help Ryan with his recovery.

I know you and many others have donated to this and wondered if you knew if the money was reaching Ryan or not?

Congrats on the new channel by the way

Jake

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Welcome back Ariel & Crew, you've been missed! How do you balance the relationships you've built with fighters over the years as a journalist with expressing your opinions as a viewer? For example, it seemed like Pena didn't like your initial scorecard and Max may have not liked that you picked Arnold Allen to win in the parlay. It seems like such a tricky, delicate situation to navigate!

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Shalom Ariel,

Once again, congratulations on all your success! It's definitely a dream come true for you, but also for us!

I have a serious question here: how do you manage to navigate through all the things in life? Family, work, hobbies, training, etc. On one hand, I don’t want to miss a minute of the program, but on the other hand, it’s impossible in today’s world to consume all the content while also staying focused on the important things in life. I’d love to hear your advice, as well as the team's thoughts.

Thanks,

Eran

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Welcome back Nose and crew! A few quick hitters for the crew, and slightly longer one for you!

GC: Any plans on to discuss your bets in greater detail each week on Boys in the Back?

Frank: How does it feel to have merch?

N.Y.Ric: Give us a must watch movie for spooky season.

Petesy: Any plans to visit the studio for some future shows? Love your addition already!

Mr. Nose: I have many questions that can be summed up by the following: How did you decide on the name Uncrowned? I love the name and logo and my curiosity has run a bit rampant since the curtain was lifted on this chapter of the Helwani saga. Is there specific significance or symbolism to the name and logo?

Stoked that you're back. Even more excited that shows are daily throughout my work week. Thank you for being a part of our lives.

As always - Much love and best wishes to you all.

Trin

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Ariel - So happy you all are back and doing this the way you want to! Love to see it. My only gripe....why are we going back to the name Parlay Boys? Sounds terrible and makes no sense now that Julianna is part of the PALS. I know she is the one that keeps saying it but man you guys need to solidify this name and stop going back and forth. PARLAY PALS 4Life

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Hello Ariel and Crew!!

So happy to see you BACK IN OUR LIFE! I’ve a got a question that relates to the new uncrowned era: Are you at all concerned about the massive influx of content that you are creating being, dare I say, too much for people to consume? I can only say from my experience the past two days that I was only about half way through Monday’s content when today’s (Tuesday) 4 hour-show came out. I’m only about an hour in and then there’s potentially 4 more hours tomorrow?! And then the BITB and the Craic?! Not complaining, we are getting incredibly spoiled. But I just don’t know when I’ll be able to find the time to watch all that I would like to watch 🤣

Just wanted to hear your thoughts on that. Love the shows!!!

P.S. PT Carroll is absolutely killing it as another member of the on air team and he fits in so well 🙌🏻

Thanks!

Juan

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Hey Ariel and Crew,

Congrats on everything

What were your thoughts on the rock’s return at bad blood? Do you think they’ll do a triple threat match with rock vs roman vs cody?

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My question concerns the Fighter of the Year debate and the, honestly, staggering fact you Ariel and the boys in the back all agree its Poatan „without a debate“.

I think the winner of the Ilia/Max has a bigger claim to that title, especially if Ilia wins.

2 wins over Max and Alex, arguably the two greatest Featherweights of all time, surely counts more than Alex‘ 3 *good* wins.

If you wanna give Alex MVP of the year because of his activity, sure. But the quality of the opponents has to matter, and Max beating Gaethje in spectacular fashion and an undefeated Ilia or Ilia beating 2 GOATs simply beats Poatans record imho.

Would love to hear your rebuttal to this amazing argument I brought up.

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My question was very similar. In total agreement with your stance

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Boys! Welcome back! So happy for you all.

Quick fire:

1. GC - did you find a new apartment?

2. Franky -more expansive soundboard?

3. Helwani - 1 high and 1 low from the last 3 months?

4. NYR - will you still be doing socials?

5. Petesy - favourite part of your new role? Welcome to the team.

Love you guys. Back in my life.

Josh

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Oh forgot one!

Helwani, given your expanded resources, does that change the way you book guests (ie easier on you)?

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