The Ariel Helwani Show

Ariel Helwani starts the show by reacting to Anthony Smith’s arrest and discussing the way the sport of MMA handles fighter retirements (05:57), before moving to On The Nose. The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll join Ariel to answer questions about fights to show casual fans, referees enforcing penalties for fouls, biggest MMA “what ifs,” the quality of UFC 330, and more (12:03).

Darren Till returns to preview his upcoming BKFC bout against Yoel Romero, discussing how the fight came together, plans for a potential UFC return, his reaction to Conor McGregor’s injury, his feelings on Paddy Pimblett and Ian Machado Garry, having no interest in Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua, and more (1:01:50).

Bryan Battle is back to talk about his main event meeting with Dalton Rosta at PFL Charlotte, reflecting on his loss to Johnny Eblen and lessons learned, welcoming a new child, preparing for Rosta as an opponent, and more (1:37:25).

Ariel covers some news and notes, including footage of Conor McGregor’s training prior to UFC 329, Joaquin Buckley vs. Mike Malott headlining UFC’s return to Edmonton, Paulo Costa going back-and-forth with Magomed Ankalaev, and more (2:03:33).

WWE Superstar Dominik Mysterio makes his show debut, discussing what it was like to perform alongside Ryan Garcia and Karl-Anthony Towns, his accomplishments compared to his father Rey, performing for both WWE and AAA at the same time, his SummerSlam match against Danhausen, stories from the early days of his career, and more (2:29:50).

Ariel closes the show with your Super Chats (3:24:38).

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show by reacting to the newly-announced alliance between Most Valuable Promotions and Matchroom Boxing to bolster women’s boxing (01:21).

Mike Perry is back on the show to discuss his MMA fight against Dillon Danis, potentially returning to BKFC to fight Darren Till, whether he’s interested in a UFC return, and more (10:17).

Dakota Ditcheva joins Ariel in-studio to preview her fight against Denise Kielholtz at PFL Long Island, talking about recovering from the hand injury that kept her sidelined, how she landed on Kielholtz as an opponent, the status of her contract, planning to celebrate with the Sophie Cunningham point, attending UFC 329, and more (41:54).

Ariel then recaps Gordon Fight Nights’ debut event from Israel (1:34:54).

Nico Ali Walsh is up next, discussing his work behind the scenes regarding the Ali Revival Act, including conversations with Senators, being invited by TKO to meet and attend their Zuffa Boxing event, his impression of Nick Khan, his concerns with the Ali Revival Act and proposed changes to the legislation, trying to honor his grandfather, and more (1:48:49).

Dan Hooker is back, reacting to his main event booking against newcomer Salahdine Parnasse at UFC Paris, talking about how the fight came together, his assessment of Parnasse’s skill level, relishing fighting in enemy territory, receiving death threats from French fans, Israel Adesanya leaving City Kickboxing, and more (2:19:53).

PFL welterweight champion Thad Jean returns to break down his big win, touching on the late-notice opponent switch, being overconfident heading into the fight, the stoppage itself, who he wants to fight next, where he thinks he’d fall in the UFC’s welterweight division, and more (2:48:53).

The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll jump in to cover news and notes including Michael Morales teasing a fight, fascinating video from Anthony Joshua’s corner, and more (3:17:50).

The show closes with your Super Chats (3:42:42).

Solomonster addresses to the demise of Pro Wrestling Nation 24/7 on SiriusXM and the debut of WWE Radio, heated reaction from fans online, and what it means for coverage of AEW and other promotions moving forward (3:13).

Preview and predictions for both nights of SummerSlam, with thoughts on the Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi weigh-in, and one of the worst segments on any wrestling show all year (16:15).

Thoughts on AEW Redemption, including Will Ospreay leaving the Death Riders, only to get dropped by Kenny Omega, three title changes and Willow Nightingale finally shedding light on her recent injury (51:04). 

Plus, the latest major development in the Paramount Skydance bid to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery and what it means for AEW (1:14:47).

Finally, the former WWE champion who says he will go broke before he ever goes back to pro wrestling, and a couple of listener emails (1:18:29).

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show by recapping a wacky and wild weekend, which included UFC Abu Dhabi, PFL Washington D.C., Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua both in action, AEW in Montreal, and more (02:01).

The Boys in the Back jump in to discuss the current appetite for the long-awaited Fury vs. Joshua fight (14:54).

New UFC signee Salahdine Parnasse joins the show to talk about negotiating the deal and why the time was right, offers from other promotions, his upcoming fight against Dan Hooker, and more (40:03).

Claressa Shields is back to break down the boxing game, including Errol Spence’s final fight, bouts she wants against Lauren Price and Mikaela Mayer, Most Valuable Promotions claiming she's banned from their events, wanting to headline at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, mentoring Caroline Dubois, Cris Cyborg’s continued trash talk, her music career, and more (1:02:37).

BKFC Founder and President David Feldman stops by to break news that Darren Till will fight Yoel Romero at BKFC 94 in Manchester, then discuss Mike Perry potentially returning for a fight against Till, BKFC's upcoming event at Fenway Park in Boston, Andrei Arlovski’s next fight, plans for BKFC 100 and BKFSea, and more (1:37:05).

Oscar De La Hoya is our final guest of the day, detailing his involvement in Ryan Garcia’s fight against Conor Benn under the Zuffa Boxing banner, his relationship with Garcia, and wanting Garcia to fight Devin Haney, before touching on other topics including Zuffa Boxing trying to sign every big-name free agent, Nico Ali Walsh meeting with Zuffa regarding the Ali Act, mending Golden Boy’s relationship with Vergil Ortiz, seeking the Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis fight, and more (2:03:14).

The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll return to cover news and notes, including UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg’s reaction to the UFC Abu Dhabi main event, reaction to the rest of the card, President Trump’s recent comments about Freedom 250, Thad Jean escaping danger to become PFL welterweight champion, Mike Perry taking on Dillon Danis in MMA, and more (2:34:03).

Intern Josh recaps his AEW experience (3:31:14), before the crew answers your Super Chats (3:57:24).

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show by breaking down Anthony Joshua’s wild knockout win over Kristian Prenga, which saw him hit the canvas twice in the opening round. How much does Joshua have left and can he beat Tyson Fury in their grudge match (02:00)?

As for Fury, he won his tune-up fight against Mariusz Wach in front of a small crowd in Thailand to set up what we think will be the Joshua megafight (23:24).

Errol Spence returned to the ring for the first time in three years and dropped a decision to Tim Tszyu. Spence retired after the fight, while Tszyu called out WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara (37:59).