The Ariel Helwani Show

The Craic is back! This time, it’s the duo of Petesy Carroll and Ben Fowlkes chopping it up.

To kick things off, the lads react to construction beginning for the UFC's White House card (03:38), along with Joe Rogan’s criticisms of the event (25:20).

The promotion behind the White House event has been relentless. Does Dana White deserve more credit for his recent media tour (38:10)?

The UFC President also opened up about the circumstances around Anderson Silva’s exit from the organization, which the boys discuss (44:02).

UFC Macau is this weekend, so Petesy and Ben talk the early start time and what the card has to offer (52:00).

Holly Holm’s boxing return (58:38) and Darren Till’s BKFC debut (01:02:06) also feature on this weekend’s slate.

To close the show, the duo answer your Super Chats (01:17:40).

Since Rico Verhoeven’s near-upset of Oleksandr Usyk, the boxing/MMA communities have been debating what the most difficult combat sport is: boxing, MMA or kickboxing? Chris Algieri breaks it down as someone who spent time practicing both boxing and kickboxing (06:17).

O’Shaquie Foster vs. Ray Ford for Foster’s WBC super featherweight title is the big fight of the weekend and we break down who could come out on top. Over in El Paso, Texas, Stephanie Han puts her title on the line in a rematch vs. MMA/Boxing legend Holly Holm and Amanda Serrano returns, looking to inch closer to the women’s knockout record (13:31).

Dmitry Bivol returns this weekend from an extended absence due to back surgery, taking on his mandatory, Michael Eifert. How much does Bivol have left in the tank and will we get the Betervbiev trilogy or a fight with David Benavidez (27:57)?

After reading your five-star podcast reviews (04:01), the Boys in the Back spotlight soaring ticket prices for Conor McGregor's return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 and wonder whether the price is worth it (06:34).

Next, they react to Dana White's recent comments about UFC fighter pay when compared to the WNBA (32:14) and the potential of a Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm rematch (46:36).

Then, they touch on chatter about Khamzat Chimaev's nightmare weight cut (1:02:08), more Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev talk (1:03:52), and results from Road to UFC (1:10:29).

The Boys preview UFC Macau (1:24:24) and Darren Till's BKFC debut (1:43:52), before making picks and acknowledging this week's lack of a P4P segment (1:48:40).

The show ends with your voicemails (2:01:17) and Super Chats (2:32:21).

Ariel Helwani starts today’s show by answering your On The Nose questions, touching on the New York Knicks’ success, best all-time walkouts, running into Jake Shields, the scorecards for Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven, and more blind rankings (04:52).

Rising PFL prospect Patrick Habirora joins to recap his massive win over Benson Henderson and discuss criticism of the booking, his callout of Mike Perry, who he wants to fight next, and his relationship with the promotion (40:53).

Colby Covington is back on the show to reveal details of his sudden retirement, including conversations with the UFC, then talks about his full-time move into wrestling, the RAF matchups he’s chasing, UFC’s White House card, the lack of animosity between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland after their fight, whether he belongs in the UFC Hall of Fame, and more (1:04:42).

Holly Holm returns to preview her rematch with Stephanie Han under the MVP banner, also discussing how much longer she plans to compete, potentially being Katie Taylor’s final opponent, Ronda Rousey coming out of retirement and the possibility of a rematch, and more (1:49:32).

Boxer Adam Azim is our final guest of the day, looking ahead to his bout against Steve Claggett, then detailing his training for the fight, his desire to retire at just 31 years old, how he viewed the Usyk vs. Verhoeven controversy, praying with his opponents after their fight, and more (2:14:32).

Ariel and the crew come back to cover news and notes (2:32:46), finish up On The Nose (3:13:38), and answer your Super Chats (3:44:28).

Solomonster is back with a full review of AEW Double or Nothing, by far the best wrestling show of 2026. Plus, FTR contract news with potential WWE interest, a Jim Ross health update, and thoughts on Darby Allin’s run as AEW World champion (1:56).

Then, reaction to MJF singling out Malakai Black as one of the ex-AEW talents who thought the WWE grass was greener, and why Black may have been keen on leaving to go back after Vince McMahon fell out of power (40:10).

Thoughts on Ludwig Kaiser a.k.a. El Grande Americano being arrested last week and what it means for his big push (47:05).

More on Saturday Night’s Main Event, including Logan Paul sustaining a torn triceps, and what it means for the Raw tag team titles (52:19).

WWE Clash in Italy preview and predictions, including which matches will open the show, and why Brock Lesnar doesn't need to win to get to a trilogy match with Oba Femi at Summerslam (57:40).

An update from AEW star Kota Ibushi, who acknowledges he won’t be wrestling again anytime soon, and a fatal accident on Sunday claims the life of a wrestler at a lucha libre show in Mexico (1:10:56).