The Ariel Helwani Show

Our usual trio of Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall, and Ben Fowlkes are back for this week’s edition of The Craic.
UFC 332 is just a month away and still without a main event. The lads debate what could headline the Salt Lake City card (07:52).
With the lightweight division also in need of some clarity, the boys turn their attention to Justin Gaethje, who has yet to return to the cage. What could be next for the UFC lightweight champion? (22:12).
Then, they discuss the rumours that Sean Strickland could defend his belt against Nassourdine Imavov this December (30:29).
This weekend sees the UFC returning to Paris with Saladine Parnasse taking on Dan Hooker (43:43), while Katie Taylor prepares for her retirement party at the esteemed Croke Park (57:49). The lads get into it all.
To finish up, the trio answer your Super Chats (01:15:55).

The Boys in the Back kick off the show by covering the latest in the Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury saga (03:18) and other news and notes (15:34).
Then, they preview UFC Paris (35:32), including whether it's too soon for Salahdine Parnasse to face Dan Hooker and their pick for the most disrespected UFC fighter, before talking about the other combat sports action going down this weekend (1:26:47) and making picks (1:37:26).
Finally, they deliver their P4P debuts (1:40:40), listen to your voicemails (1:56:01) and answer your Super Chats (2:39:45).

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show discussing all the fallout from Moses Itauma’s loss last weekend, from his official statement, to what was said in his corner, to if he can fully recover (04:03).
The heavyweight top 10 is ever changing, so Dan and Chris rank the division's best (24:36).
Andy Ruiz returns to the ring for the first time since 2024, facing Damian Knyba, a hard-hitting Polish fighter who gave Agit Kabayel all he could handle earlier this year. Can Ruiz find the magic one more time and reclaim his greatness (36:34)?

We end the show touching on Katie Taylor’s final fight from historic Croke Park in Ireland on Saturday afternoon (53:49).

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show with last weekend’s big winner, Song Yadong, who recaps his massive knockout of Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Shanghai. Song talks about why he felt it would be an easy fight, not being bothered by Umar’s comments before the fight, the experience of fighting in front of his countrymen in China, his reaction to Usman Nurmagomedov coming into the cage, Khabib Nurmagomedov wiping blood off his face, and more (05:24).

Eddie Hearn returns to discuss Katie Taylor’s sendoff at Croke Park, the drama surrounding Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury and whether he sees a resolution happening, the involvement of Dana White and Zuffa Boxing, his relationship with Turki Alalshikh and Sela, the latest on Matchroom Talent Agency and potential interest in working with Paulo Costa, Tom Aspinall’s return, and more (30:54).

Petesy Carroll checks in with a live report from Katie Taylor’s open workout at The Helix in Dublin, Ireland (1:06:46).

Ariel and The Boys in the Back answer your On The Nose questions regarding kids getting into combat sports, BKFC’s Fenway Park event, the return of The Uncrowned Beat, rumors about the UFC 332 main event, the potential for Umar or Usman Nurmagomedov to carry on Khabib’s legacy, Contender Series’ ability to create stars, and more (1:19:51).

Bilal Hasan makes his show debut, talking about his memorable Contender Series debut, representing Indonesia, his viral popularity, having his dad in his corner, his fandom of Michael Jackson, his callout of Andre Lima, and more (2:02:20).

Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera talks about dealing with and overcoming self-doubt during his recent skid, making major changes to his camp and life, his upcoming fight against Charles Jourdain and grappling against Jose Aldo, and more (2:34:44).

Anthony Wint is our final guest of the day, discussing his rapid rise from Contender Series to UFC, having no prior combat sports experience, not loving the art of fighting, his NFL career, comparisons to Josh Hokit, battling homelessness and gambling addiction, and more (3:09:06).

Ariel covers some news and notes (3:46:31), answers more On The Nose questions (3:53:43) and closes with Super Chats (4:08:20).

Solomonster raves about AEW All In London and has a lot to say about Will Ospreay’s title win and entrance at Wembley, plus Eric Bischoff comparing it to a Nasty Boys match (1:14).

He also has thoughts on the return of Britt Baker after nearly two years, the debut of The New Level, what really attracted them to AEW, the one team missing from the tag team standoff, and Mercedes Mone breaking her nose while winning the world title (7:27).

Kota Ibushi updates us on his broken leg and it’s not good, plus Jim Ross is back with a health update and why he wasn’t present in London for the PPV (32:32).

NXT Heatwave thoughts, including the match you should go out of your way to watch, Grayson Waller wins the NXT championship, and why it felt like he was one step away from being released before this latest run (39:16).

News on the return of Wrestlepalooza and what it could mean for the John Cena Classic, Penta and Rey Fenix battle to decide who gets to challenge Roman Reigns in Mexico City, one possible creative path for Jacob Fatu, plus a preview and predictions for Sunday Night's Main Event in Atlanta (43:50).

Injury updates on Kevin Owens after a scare this past weekend and Matt Cardona speaks from the heart after tearing his tricep (56:21).

Mercedes Martinez announces her sudden retirement in the middle of her final tour and more embarrassing Ric Flair tweets, as he threatens to sue over stolen robes (1:04:39).

Ending with your questions, talking a possible Ilja Dragunov debut in AEW, a Mighty Mouse and Ben Askren-type trade between WWE and AEW, and some of the top wrestler monikers (1:10:35).