283 episodes

The Mixed Martial Arts Hour with Ariel Helwani is back in your life. Twice a week you'll hear interviews with the best fighters and biggest personalities in the sport, plus in-depth analysis of the week's UFC and MMA news. Follow the show on YouTube and on your favorite podcast app for new episodes every Monday and Wednesday.
From SB Nation and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani Vox Media Podcast Network

    • Sports
    • 4.6 • 749 Ratings

The Mixed Martial Arts Hour with Ariel Helwani is back in your life. Twice a week you'll hear interviews with the best fighters and biggest personalities in the sport, plus in-depth analysis of the week's UFC and MMA news. Follow the show on YouTube and on your favorite podcast app for new episodes every Monday and Wednesday.
From SB Nation and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

    GC & Ric Takeover! UFC 304 preview, OTN, Parlay Pals

    GC & Ric Takeover! UFC 304 preview, OTN, Parlay Pals

    With Ariel Helwani in Paris for the Olympics, Eric Jackman and Conner Burks host the show. After kicking it off, Ariel around (5:06) calls in to discuss the Olympics and UFC 304. They chat about Belal Muhammad’s recent comments and Leon Edwards’ viral soccer clip.
    GC and Eric then around (38:43) take a closer look at UFC 304, discussing what’s next for the winner in the UFC 304 main event, the heavyweight division and the co-main event, Paddy Pimblett vs. King Green, and more.
    In the latest On the Nose around (1:26:49), GC and NYRic discuss future UFC event host sites, the first time they saw a fight, best jerseys, man vs. animal fights, advice for attending UFC events, favorite TV shows and movies, custom shorts, PB&J sandwiches, and more.
    The parlay pals around (2:55:17) make their latest selection, and GC makes his picks for UFC 304.

    If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
    21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/ PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. New customers only. Min. $5 deposit required. Eligibility restrictions apply. See http://draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
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    • 3 hr 8 min
    Terence Crawford, Kayla Harrison, Arnold Allen, Oban Elliott, Jake Paul vs. Alex Pereira?, weekend recap

    Terence Crawford, Kayla Harrison, Arnold Allen, Oban Elliott, Jake Paul vs. Alex Pereira?, weekend recap

    Ariel Helwani around (17:28) discusses the Paul vs. Perry fight week, the performances by Jake Paul and. Mike Perry, a possible Paul vs. Alex Pereira fight, the aftermath between Paul, Perry, and McGregor, what’s next for Paul and Perry, and more.
    Arnold Allen around (1:00:47) discusses his upcoming UFC 304 fight against Giga Chikadze, how he has adjusted to the late night event, if he was training with Team Renegade, training with his old gym, England at Euro 2004, his last performance, Evloev vs. Sterling, his hair, and more.
    Oban Elliott around (1:31:15) discusses his upcoming UFC 304 fight against Preston Parsons, how he belongs in the UFC now, the golden age of British MMA, Chael Sonnen, his Twitter issues, his bear tattoo, and more.
    Terence Crawford around (2:02:00) discusses his upcoming fight against Israil Madrimov next month, how the fight and the event came about, why he didn’t rematch Errol Spence, how he ended up at Smackdown, the Paul vs. Perry fight, Shakur Stevenson, Canelo Alvarez, and more.
    Kayla Harrison around (2:29:48) discusses her Olympic memories, Julianna Pena’s comments, the last time she ran into Pena, her hand injury, the Rocky movies, Dana White’s RNC speech, Amanda Nunes, giving Alex Pereira a yellow belt, Pereira vs. Jake Paul, and more.
    The parlay pals around (3:13:30) look back at their most recent selection, and GC recaps his UFC Vegas 94 picks.

    If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
    21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/ PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. New customers only. Min. $5 deposit required. Eligibility restrictions apply. See http://draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
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    • 3 hr 32 min
    Zhilei Zhang in studio, Jasmine Jasudavicius, Burt Watson, Jared Anderson, OTN, weekend preview

    Zhilei Zhang in studio, Jasmine Jasudavicius, Burt Watson, Jared Anderson, OTN, weekend preview

    In the latest On the Nose around (10:46), Ariel Helwani discusses the MLB All-Star Game uniforms, Dustin Poirier’s next fight, UFC 306 fights, Mysterious Frank and his audio clips, Ariel’s past Olympics trip,
    Jasmine Jasudavicius around (34:15) discusses her recent UFC Denver win, fighting a prospect, her post-fight interview, who she wants next, the UFC Denver main event, if she would cut hair to make weight, training in Ireland, and more.
    Jared Anderson around (1:02:06) discusses his necklace, his upcoming fight, his relationship with Turki Alalshikh, if this is his toughest fight, clarifying his Top Rank social post, what he wants next, Shakur Stevenson, the pressure he faces, and more.
    Burt Watson around (1:36:36) discusses his new book, why he decided to write it, the story behind red and blue tape on gloves for MMA, why he parted ways with the UFC, joining Bellator, his final walk for Bellator, his next event, and more.
    Zhilei Zhang around (2:13:21) discusses his the Deontay Wilder fight, his popularity in China, why he trains in New Jersey, how long he would like to fight, why he would have retired if he lost to Wilder, why he thinks he fell short against Parker, why he passed on Anderson next, why he can’t get a fight with Anthony Joshua, Alex Pereira’s chances at heavyweight, why he picked boxing over mixed martial arts, his nickname, and more.
    Helwani around (3:05:56) returns to On the Nose to discuss relationship advice, Adam Sandler’s best movies, naming your kid, the Diaz vs. Fanmio lawsuit, and more.
    The parlay pals around (3:59:32) make their latest selection, and GC makes picks for UFC Vegas 94 and Paul vs. Perry.

    If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
    21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/ PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. New customers only. Min. $5 deposit required. Eligibility restrictions apply. See http://draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
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    • 4 hr 13 min
    Tom Aspinall, Rose Namajunas, Julianna Peña and Skye Nicolson in studio, updates on the Sphere card and Conor McGregor's future

    Tom Aspinall, Rose Namajunas, Julianna Peña and Skye Nicolson in studio, updates on the Sphere card and Conor McGregor's future

    Ariel Helwani around (1:02) reacts to the news of Nate Diaz’s lawsuit against Fanmio, and the possible UFC 306 leak during one of the international UFC Denver broadcasts. He gives the latest on this anticipated UFC Noche fight card.
    Skye Nicolson around (29:33) discusses her recent performance against Dayana Vargast this past weekend, weigh-ins, her walkout song, her place on the card, the performance by Boots Ennis in the main event, how she wants to fight more, the commentary for the fight, what she wants next, Amanda Serrano’s recent comments, Serrano’s next fight, and more.
    Julianna Peña around (1:30:51) discusses her burner accounts, her injuries from her prior accident, International Fight Week, when she might fight next, Kayla Harrison’s debut, Harrison vs. Holm, Amanda Nunes, Ronda Rousey’s latest comments, past TUF drama with Raquel Pennington, Tracy Cortez’s eyelashes, and more.
    Rose Namajunas around (2:27:44) discusses her UFC Denver win over Tracy Cortez, her walkout, what she could have improved on, Tracy Cortez’s eyelashes, the weigh-ins, and more.
    Tom Aspinall around (2:53:53) discusses going to a recent Yankees game, Tracy Cortez cutting her hair to make weight, how he’s getting use to the event time, the UFC heavyweight division, the stakes for this fight, life after MMA, working with Eric Nicksick, his gym, his career goals, Ciryl Gane’s recent comments, what’s next, and more.
    The parlay pals around (3:52:55) recap their latest pick, and GC looks back at his UFC Denver picks.

    If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
    21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/ PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. New customers only. Min. $5 deposit required. Eligibility restrictions apply. See http://draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
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    • 4 hr 7 min
    Dustin Poirier in studio, Rose Namajunas, Michael "Venom" Page, Brendan Loughnane, Amanda Serrano, OTN

    Dustin Poirier in studio, Rose Namajunas, Michael "Venom" Page, Brendan Loughnane, Amanda Serrano, OTN

    Rose Namajunas around (5:34)discusses her upcoming UFC Denver main event, facing Tracy Cortez than instead of Maycee Barber, getting Miranda Moverick’s opponent, what’s next if she wins, beekeeping, the local dog park, her motivation, and more.
    Michael Page around (27:16) discusses his UFC 303 performance against Ian Machado Garry, England’s performance at Euro 2004, how close he was to being submitted in the first round, what he could have done differently, Garry’s accusations, his walkout song, what’s next, and more.
    Brendan Loughnane around (47:20) discusses his next PFL playoff fight against Kai Kamaka, England vs. Netherlands, being sick during his last fight week, how he feels about PFL, Paul Hughes, Conor McGregor’s return, and more.
    Dustin Poirier around (1:07:23) discusses his multiple business ventures, what his family wants him to do next, his recent Tweets, comments from Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor, almost fighting Nate Diaz at UFC 279, Diaz vs. Masvidal, meeting celebrities, UFC 303, being on the UFC desk, Alex Pereira, when he asked to be released before UFC 236, his assorted injuries, dealing with losses, life after retirement, and more.
    Amanda Serrano around (2:05:32) discusses why she took the Stevie Morgan fight instead of wait for the Katie Taylor rematch, if she will watch tape on Morgan, 2-minute rounds, what happened at her Puerto Rico fight, the reason she had to drop out of the fight, what she learned, Skye Nicholson, and more.
    In the latest On the Nose around (2:42:57), Ariel Helwani discusses peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, UFC 306, influencers asking fighters questions, if pro wrestling is a sport, Shakur Stevenson, England vs. Spain, and more.
    The parlay pals around (3:44:15) make their latest pick, and Julianna Pena calls in her selection, and GC selects his UFC Denver best bets.

    If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
    21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/ PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. New customers only. Min. $5 deposit required. Eligibility restrictions apply. See http://draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
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    • 4 hr 6 min
    Darren Till, Tracy Cortez, Johnny Fisher, weekend recap

    Darren Till, Tracy Cortez, Johnny Fisher, weekend recap

    Ariel Helwani around (13:42) discusses how the Diaz vs. Masvidal main event stole the show Saturday night. He discusses the controversial scoring and reveals how he scored the fight. The panel then reacts to the pay-per-view event. They also discussed Nate Diaz’s callouts after the fight. They also discuss what’s next for Jorge Masvidal.
    Johnny Fisher around (34:03) discusses his recent knockout in his first main event, his Wimbledon trip, how he relates with the fans, ‘bosh,’ his father’s rise to fame, playing rugby, what led to him boxing, what’s next, England vs. Netherlands, and more.
    Tracy Cortez around (1:01:55) discusses her showdown with Rose Namajunas at UFC Denver, when she got the call, a recent dune buggy accident, how the UFC and her team reacted, how she loves pressure, women’s MMA, Ronda Rousey, how close she is to a title shot, her tattoos, ant tacos, and more.
    GC around (1:48:31) looks back at his most recent hot dog contest pick.
    Ariel and panel around (1:56:48) talk about the latest in WWE and the recent controversy surrounding Ryan Garcia.
    Darren Till around (2:31:13) discusses his boxing debut at Social Knockout 3, how he ended up at the event, what happened to the Julio Cesar Chavez fight, the Moh Mutie finish, what they said to each other, his walkout, what he wants next, Diaz vs. Masvidal, Mike Perry, Paul vs. Perry, and more.

    If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
    21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/ PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. New customers only. Min. $5 deposit required. Eligibility restrictions apply. See http://draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 3 hr 29 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
749 Ratings

749 Ratings

Landon Toney ,

Great combat sports podcast if you know what to expect

I have 3 combat sports (primarily mma with some boxing talk) podcasts that are my go to’s for different reasons.

Weighin in — great commentary by former fighter/ref who have real world experience in what they talk about

Morning Kombat — Luke Thomas provides exceptional breakdowns and previews of fights. This is more analytical which I also love.

MMA Hour w/ Ariel Hewani — this show has it’s own space it owns and that’s the interview world. No other show has this many top fighters come on for lengthy interviews where they speak freely. I learn so much about what these fighters think and feel leading up to and during fights. It’s truly unique and what makes this show amazing. Sure, Ariel is a strong personality, but that’s part of the magic. If he’s not asking these uncomfortable questions then we would never hear some of these remarkable answers. Take the show for what it is and enjoy.

AppleReviewer1111 ,

Thumbs down

This show is god awful nowadays, a clown show

Fortunato Mazesky ,

MMA Hour

I’ve been listening/watching since late 2015. Its definitely one of my escapes. Ariel and I don’t agree on everything ( I dont even know him so that’s weird to say ) but always loved the interviews.

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