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. But this week there is a twist: Since I’ll be out of the studio, Ric and GC will answer ‘em on Wednesday’s show. First time we do this. Here’s your chance to address the two biggest stars in the game.
This Saturday, GLORY Kickboxing will organize (and reintroduce) the historic 8-man one-night Heavyweight Grand Prix with the likes of “King of Kickboxing” Rico Verhoeven and more.
The winner will walk away with $500,000 and the prestigious GP Trophy, just like in the good old K-1 days.
The event takes place at the GelreDome football stadium in Arnhem, the Netherlands.
Do you guys plan on watching? And what are your predictions for this Heavyweight Grand Prix?
Hello Ariel and the crew, quick question for you all: I can't help but see parallels between Muhammad Ali's standing up for his beliefs and Francis Ngannou doing the very same thing when he left the UFC. Given the success he had afterwards and how beloved he is in Cameroon, do you think he might have a future in politics or social activisim?
Hey Ariel. No dig but genuinely interested did you get false information when you said cap on that Kayla didnt do a test cut when she actually did one as she said in her interview with Kevin lole? Thanks!
10 days from now on March 16th, Canadian mixed martial artist Avinash Chowtee will be making his much anticipated return to the cage after 5 years away. He will be fighting at BTC 23: Revolution, in a lightweight bout taking place at Leon's Center in Kingston, Ontario, right inbetween Toronto and Montreal.
Training out of Evolucao Thai MMA School in Toronto, Avinash, who you met when you were there for the Jay's game, has been a huge inspiration. Now a purple belt in bjj, with years of refined mma knowledge and skills, I believe he has everything it takes to make it to the top of the game.
Avi is a huge fan of your show, and I know it would mean the world to him if you could give him a shoutout and some words of encouragement for his comeback fight. And for those living in the area, go grab some tickets at btcfight.ca and support your local Canadian mma!
Hi Ariel, I'm curious about the top stars in Power Slap. Have you ever been approached by a slap fighter or their management team for an interview? Would you consider interviewing them? Also, I came across the Lingerie Fighting Championships in my MMA feed recently. Is it genuine fighting or more of a scripted performance?
What is everyone’s thoughts on the Bloody Elbow being sold and all of the publications being seemingly erased from history. Is this a big move by the UFC with the lawsuit to help their chances in court? Thanks for the great content every week!
With Ariel out it feels like having a substitute teacher in class, so I wanted to ask a question entirely unrelated to MMA.
For GC, Ric, and Frank: do you guys ever cook at home? If so, what are your favorite/ go-to dishes to make? Much love, see you in the Prudential Center at UFC 302 🙏
Question for NEW YORK RIC!!! I’m seeing some books disrespect your boy Cedric “The Best” Doumbe for tomorrow’s PFL Europe main event, listing him as an UNDERDOG!!! Please talk the fans off the tightrope and sell us on why Cedric is the PFL’s best prospect. People were calling him to fight Jason Freaking Jackson after his last win!
Just here to heap lavish praise on you and the crew!!
Ariel: I don’t even like pro wrestling; that Matt Riddle interview was amazing!! He opened up big time, you led him to all the questions I was thinking of in real time. From relationships to substance abuse, even to how the sausage is made in creating matches. Truly a master class, sir.
GC: Don’t ever abandon your ship in distress. The Parlay Boys will never die 🏴☠️. Gambling stats can be insane, but don’t give up. Don’t forget higher variance plays (like parlays) will yield more wildy varying results. Ex: Frank’s ridiculous big huevos 🐖 Bobby Green pick!
Ric: Hey Chico! Love the hot takes and the hair. Your machismo is the secret sauce. I hope your house never gets haunted. ❤️
Frank: Shoutout to your dry humor and knob twisting skills. Your technical prowess is as unmatched as your attendance for social events. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Hey ric and gc. I hope all is well. On Saturday we seen a great knockout which is an early contender for knockout of the year and instead of hearing a crowd go nuts we heard a few people make a noise and a spider fart in the back.
Despite the prelims being entertaining at some point in the main card I said to myself I’m bored of this crap and for the first time in 12 years I didn’t watch a full event. Part of me feels like the apex is going to turn me into a “casual” fan but I just can’t do it anymore. So I’ll start with my boring question which has been asked a thousand times but never enough times either. How long do you think they’re going to keep going with these apex shows? I know it’s wishful thinking that they will stop at apex 100 but I’m struggling to be interested in watching them now. Also GC it would be interesting to some of us if you shared your draft king lineups after the fact so we can see how you do and see your logic.
What's good ma boys! Question for the Core Four: With a new country planting their flag on UFC Gold in Spain/Georgia, What do you all think will be the next 3 countries to produce their first UFC Championship?? I'm not sure I can think of 3, but I do believe Frenchmen might be soon.
Or should I address the real gems of the show, GC, Rick and my personal favorite, Franklin.
Two questions here:
People talk about “ red panty night “ when getting the chance to fight Conor Mcgregor. Recently, Donald Cerrone said that his pay did not change for his fight with Conor in 2020. Is this an assumption by fans, media and other fighters, that you are guaranteed higher pay for a fight with Conor, or is there proof that this is the case? Obviously his opponents receive much more attention than they regularly would with his fights always being a big deal, but I am curious if the UFC actually compensates fighters more for this?
And secondly, where did the infamous “MMA Hour” championship belt come from? Gift? Purchase? Who put the glorious thing together?
Thanks fellas! At least you guys are around to provide our never-ending need for this show
Hope you had a great time in P.R. Ariel. I couldn't be more excited for UFC 299 entire card is amazing. That said, GC, any chance you're doing a Watch Party XL (extra long Edition) this Saturday and watching the whole card with Mike? Love the content guys. Btw...Parlay Pals sounds so much better than Parlay Boys. I dont mean to be critical but I feel like I have dealt with this gross misnaming for far too long, plus it was Pena's idea to call it the Boys but that is when she was referring to you all. Now that she is on board it needs to go back to the Parlay Pals. I cant be alone on this. Thanks again ps Hi Ric.
Hey Ariel, Jeremy from Switzerland again (after a one week break after my 4 min round suggestion for WMMA was getting smashed):
1. one for you: Why haven’t Jason Jackson or Brian Ortega been on the show?
2. One for NYR: He always mentions (regarding Colby getting the Leon fight), that Social Media Follower numbers isn’t the only measure on how popular a fighter is from the UFC or PPV point of view. What are the measures?
Hello Ariel, Ric and GC!!
This Saturday, GLORY Kickboxing will organize (and reintroduce) the historic 8-man one-night Heavyweight Grand Prix with the likes of “King of Kickboxing” Rico Verhoeven and more.
The winner will walk away with $500,000 and the prestigious GP Trophy, just like in the good old K-1 days.
The event takes place at the GelreDome football stadium in Arnhem, the Netherlands.
Do you guys plan on watching? And what are your predictions for this Heavyweight Grand Prix?
Viva Heelwani and greetings from Holland,
Maurits School
Hello Ariel and the crew, quick question for you all: I can't help but see parallels between Muhammad Ali's standing up for his beliefs and Francis Ngannou doing the very same thing when he left the UFC. Given the success he had afterwards and how beloved he is in Cameroon, do you think he might have a future in politics or social activisim?
Hey Ariel. No dig but genuinely interested did you get false information when you said cap on that Kayla didnt do a test cut when she actually did one as she said in her interview with Kevin lole? Thanks!
https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/1/31/24056997/kayla-harrison-reacts-concerns-over-her-making-weight-at-ufc-300-im-not-saying-its-going-to-be-easy
Sup Ariel,
10 days from now on March 16th, Canadian mixed martial artist Avinash Chowtee will be making his much anticipated return to the cage after 5 years away. He will be fighting at BTC 23: Revolution, in a lightweight bout taking place at Leon's Center in Kingston, Ontario, right inbetween Toronto and Montreal.
Training out of Evolucao Thai MMA School in Toronto, Avinash, who you met when you were there for the Jay's game, has been a huge inspiration. Now a purple belt in bjj, with years of refined mma knowledge and skills, I believe he has everything it takes to make it to the top of the game.
Avi is a huge fan of your show, and I know it would mean the world to him if you could give him a shoutout and some words of encouragement for his comeback fight. And for those living in the area, go grab some tickets at btcfight.ca and support your local Canadian mma!
Thank you for all that you do for the sport.
Fight Poster: https://freeimage.host/i/JVFABt4
Can you all comment on Ryan Garcia ?
Hi Ariel, I'm curious about the top stars in Power Slap. Have you ever been approached by a slap fighter or their management team for an interview? Would you consider interviewing them? Also, I came across the Lingerie Fighting Championships in my MMA feed recently. Is it genuine fighting or more of a scripted performance?
Hey Ariel and crew,
What is everyone’s thoughts on the Bloody Elbow being sold and all of the publications being seemingly erased from history. Is this a big move by the UFC with the lawsuit to help their chances in court? Thanks for the great content every week!
Hello Crew, long time first time.
With Ariel out it feels like having a substitute teacher in class, so I wanted to ask a question entirely unrelated to MMA.
For GC, Ric, and Frank: do you guys ever cook at home? If so, what are your favorite/ go-to dishes to make? Much love, see you in the Prudential Center at UFC 302 🙏
Question for NEW YORK RIC!!! I’m seeing some books disrespect your boy Cedric “The Best” Doumbe for tomorrow’s PFL Europe main event, listing him as an UNDERDOG!!! Please talk the fans off the tightrope and sell us on why Cedric is the PFL’s best prospect. People were calling him to fight Jason Freaking Jackson after his last win!
- @_MackTheKnife on X
Hola Ariel and team!!!
Just here to heap lavish praise on you and the crew!!
Ariel: I don’t even like pro wrestling; that Matt Riddle interview was amazing!! He opened up big time, you led him to all the questions I was thinking of in real time. From relationships to substance abuse, even to how the sausage is made in creating matches. Truly a master class, sir.
GC: Don’t ever abandon your ship in distress. The Parlay Boys will never die 🏴☠️. Gambling stats can be insane, but don’t give up. Don’t forget higher variance plays (like parlays) will yield more wildy varying results. Ex: Frank’s ridiculous big huevos 🐖 Bobby Green pick!
Ric: Hey Chico! Love the hot takes and the hair. Your machismo is the secret sauce. I hope your house never gets haunted. ❤️
Frank: Shoutout to your dry humor and knob twisting skills. Your technical prowess is as unmatched as your attendance for social events. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Hey ric and gc. I hope all is well. On Saturday we seen a great knockout which is an early contender for knockout of the year and instead of hearing a crowd go nuts we heard a few people make a noise and a spider fart in the back.
Despite the prelims being entertaining at some point in the main card I said to myself I’m bored of this crap and for the first time in 12 years I didn’t watch a full event. Part of me feels like the apex is going to turn me into a “casual” fan but I just can’t do it anymore. So I’ll start with my boring question which has been asked a thousand times but never enough times either. How long do you think they’re going to keep going with these apex shows? I know it’s wishful thinking that they will stop at apex 100 but I’m struggling to be interested in watching them now. Also GC it would be interesting to some of us if you shared your draft king lineups after the fact so we can see how you do and see your logic.
How we digging those pink venum shorts for suga this week. Venum has been a match made in heaven since they've been with the ufc
What's good ma boys! Question for the Core Four: With a new country planting their flag on UFC Gold in Spain/Georgia, What do you all think will be the next 3 countries to produce their first UFC Championship?? I'm not sure I can think of 3, but I do believe Frenchmen might be soon.
Mr. Helwani!
Or should I address the real gems of the show, GC, Rick and my personal favorite, Franklin.
Two questions here:
People talk about “ red panty night “ when getting the chance to fight Conor Mcgregor. Recently, Donald Cerrone said that his pay did not change for his fight with Conor in 2020. Is this an assumption by fans, media and other fighters, that you are guaranteed higher pay for a fight with Conor, or is there proof that this is the case? Obviously his opponents receive much more attention than they regularly would with his fights always being a big deal, but I am curious if the UFC actually compensates fighters more for this?
And secondly, where did the infamous “MMA Hour” championship belt come from? Gift? Purchase? Who put the glorious thing together?
Thanks fellas! At least you guys are around to provide our never-ending need for this show
Hope you had a great time in P.R. Ariel. I couldn't be more excited for UFC 299 entire card is amazing. That said, GC, any chance you're doing a Watch Party XL (extra long Edition) this Saturday and watching the whole card with Mike? Love the content guys. Btw...Parlay Pals sounds so much better than Parlay Boys. I dont mean to be critical but I feel like I have dealt with this gross misnaming for far too long, plus it was Pena's idea to call it the Boys but that is when she was referring to you all. Now that she is on board it needs to go back to the Parlay Pals. I cant be alone on this. Thanks again ps Hi Ric.
Hey Ariel, Jeremy from Switzerland again (after a one week break after my 4 min round suggestion for WMMA was getting smashed):
1. one for you: Why haven’t Jason Jackson or Brian Ortega been on the show?
2. One for NYR: He always mentions (regarding Colby getting the Leon fight), that Social Media Follower numbers isn’t the only measure on how popular a fighter is from the UFC or PPV point of view. What are the measures?
Thank you!