This week’s episode takes a look at English Premier League giants Arsenal revising its post-match protocol after Conor McGregor found his way onto the pitch for an impromptu kick about with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

The great Philip O’Connor returns to discuss why the English football club are taking this so seriously, if the club really thought McGregor could injure Saka and how the former double champion missed an open goal by not challenging Rice on changing his international affiliation from Ireland to England (03:33).

John Nash, the north star on all things related to the UFC antitrust lawsuit, gives us the low down on the latest motion in the case that saw former fighters give morbid insights into their post-fighting lives as they urge the judge to settle the suit for $375 million (33:37). 

Ariel and the boys are back to recap UFC 307 (3:46) and then look ahead. Who does Alex Pereira fight next and will it be at light heavyweight or heavyweight? (20:42) Plus, they discuss whether Pereira locked up Fight and Fighter of the Year on Saturday night.

Julianna Peña reclaimed the UFC women's bantamweight title, so will it be Amanda Nunes or Kayla Harrison who she faces in her first defense? (49:33)

Then, they circle back to the rest of UFC 307 (59:53), including Mario Bautista's victory against Jose Aldo and whether it was the right booking , Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland ending via injury, and Joaquin Buckley with another big win at welterweight.

Finally, they wrap up with a look at the weekend in combat sports (1:16:51), headlined by Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol from Saudi Arabia.

The boys are back! Ariel, NYR, GC and Frank recap a crazy summer in their lives, while talking about how they ended up at Yahoo! Sports and all the exciting Uncrowned plans in the works.

Plus, they talk about our live show this Friday at The Venetian in Las Vegas, our launch date, and more.

And a little fight talk, too: Demetrious Johnson’s retirement, Sean Brady’s win and the vibes ahead of this weekend’s massive events in Sin City.

Enjoy! And welcome back.

A special one night only show in Newark, New Jersey--live at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on May 31st 2024! Featuring interviews with Daniel Cormier, Alex Pereira w/ Plino Cruz, Kayla Harrison, Arman Tsarukyan, Al laquinta, Aljamain Sterling.

On today's episode, Ariel returns to give you a conversation with pro wrestling legend Eric Bischoff. Together, the guys discuss Endeavor's purchase of WWE, if the upstart AEW has what it takes to topple WWE (11:32), Tony Khan's fitness for leadership (15:49), MJFs upcoming free agency (17:16), and much more.

Eric Bischoff is a titan of the professional wrestling industry. He is the former Executive Vice President of World Championship Wrestling, the pro wrestling organization that competed head on with Vince McMahon’s WWE, most notably in the ‘90s. After leaving WCW, Bischoff joined WWE’s creative team. Now a proud resident of Wyoming, the 68-year-old WWE Hall of Famer lives a much quieter life than when he was one of the biggest names in the business.

Today's episode is brought to you by My Postglow! Take advantage of a limited-time offer of 10% off before the 4th of July to secure a meaningful gift for your child at  discounted price at MyPostglow.com.

Did Ariel give Luciana a bad wedding gift? Is Luciana woke? These are the things Ariel Helwani and Luciana Andrade ask each other while catching up after several weeks away from the show. And of course, they take some questions from the fans, tackling questions like:

• What's the best way to interact with a celebrity when you're star-struck? (17:34)
• Why is Luciana even bothering with getting married at age 37? (29:45)
• If you could book your own Coachella-like music festival, who would you have headline it? (37:35)
• What is your go-to comfort meal when you're feeling down? (41:37)
• Favorite quotes when you're going through a hard time? (45:22)

Plus, Luciana loses her blue check on Twitter and she also opens up about her past visits to a psychic.

And guess what? Ariel and Luciana will go LIVE on Ariel's YouTube channel next week! Subscribe to Ariel's YouTube channel so you can get the notification when they go live.

FOLLOW:

• Luciana Andrade on Instagram: @lucianaandrade

With nearly 163K followers on Instagram and another 100K on Twitter, Chamatkar Sandhu is a must-follow when it comes to breaking MMA news.

But many of you, especially the newer fans, probably don’t know much about the man behind the accounts you follow on social media.

Today, in a conversation with Ariel's producer TST on “The Found Generation with Troy Farkas," Sandhu talks about the insane growth of MMA, his career trajectory, and he also gives TST some life advice. The lads discuss:

• How to get non-MMA fans into MMA (0:00)
• If MMA will become a “Big 4” sport in the near future (6:52) 
• What TST and Sandhu admire most about fighters (13:52)
• The gut-wrenching decision Sandhu made that changed the course of his career (21:22)
• The scariest thing he's ever done (34:44)

For more insightful and inspiring conversations from “The Found Generation with Troy Farkas,” please subscribe to the show on YouTube.

#ArielHelwani

From Los Angeles, Ariel Helwani and Luciana Andrade answer your questions about life, love, work, and any other bizarre thing you can think of. On today's episode, the two friends catch up while answering questions like:

• What are your thoughts on double dates? (5:25)
• How did Ariel propose to his wife? How did Luciana's fiancee propose to her? (14:49)
• You've been sentenced to death. What's your last meal? (23:33)
• Which are your favorite places to visit in Europe? (35:16)
• Who is your celebrity crush? (37:28)
• Before you die, what are three things you absolutely must do? (44:53)
• Where do you see yourselves in 10 years? (48:28)

And much more!

To ask Ariel and Luciana a non-MMA question on future episodes, please submit it to arielhelwani.substack.com or write it in a review on our Apple Podcasts page!

FOLLOW:

• Luciana Andrade on Instagram: @lucianaandrade
• Ariel Helwani's YouTube channel: @ArielHelwani

The newly crowned (virtual) friends Ariel Helwani and Luciana Andrade are back this week to take more of YOUR questions about life, love, work, and everything in between! On today's episode, the dynamic duo answers questions from fans like:

• What's the most embarrassing moment of your professional life? (7:48)
• Which name should I give to my upcoming child? (21:22)
• What is the proper etiquette for knocking on someone's door? (36:31)
• What's the best concert you've ever attended? (44:46)
• Which conspiracy theories do you believe in? (57:40)

And much more!

To ask Ariel and Luciana a non-MMA question on future episodes, please submit it to arielhelwani.substack.com or write it in a review on our Apple Podcasts page!

FOLLOW:

• Luciana Andrade on Instagram: @lucianaandrade
• Ariel Helwani's YouTube channel: @ArielHelwani

In another installment of the unnamed Q&A show featuring Ariel Helwani and Luciana Andrade, the two friends field some of the following questions from the fans:

• What's the biggest gut-punch you've ever experienced? (6:04)
• How did Ariel and Luciana get so close? (11:52)
• Did Luciana have to get permission from the UFC to do this show with Ariel? And could Luciana be the person to bring Dana White and Ariel together once more? (20:30)
• At what point is following your dream no longer the right choice? (29:31)
• Do you ever have conflicted feelings about using social media? (32:00)
• How do you deal with a partner who takes up too much space in the bed? (46:10)

And much more!

To ask Ariel and Luciana a non-MMA question on future episodes, please submit it to arielhelwani.substack.com.

FOLLOW:

• Luciana Andrade on Instagram: @lucianaandrade
• Ariel Helwani's YouTube channel: @ArielHelwani

After making waves across the internet for her appearance on The MMA Hour two weeks ago, fan favorite Luciana Andrade joins Ariel for a new show where the two friends answer questions from listeners/viewers about everything that isn't mixed martial arts. 

In today's inaugural episode, Ariel and Luciana field questions like:

• If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be? (7:52)
• Are aliens real? (23:23)
• What can the Brazilian government do to slow the rates of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest? (35:44)
• How do you treat yourself while on the road? (47:37)
• What are the top three places in the world that you've visited? (51:29)

And much more!

To ask Ariel and Luciana a non-MMA question on future episodes, please submit it to arielhelwani.substack.com.

FOLLOW:

• Luciana Andrade on Instagram: @lucianaandrade
• Ariel Helwani's YouTube channel: @ArielHelwani

With the 2023 World Baseball Classic upon us, Ariel speaks with one of his longtime best friends, Jason Takefman, who Ariel believes to be one of the smartest men in the business of baseball. On today's episode, Jason gets you pumped up for the WBC by getting into the following:

• Why Jason feels this year's Classic is the biggest one in the history of the tournament (4:40)
• The history behind the WBC, which began in 2006 (6:01)
• The top teams to watch out for in this year's Classic (19:05)
• The age-old question: When is the best time of year to hold the WBC? (24:18)
• His MVP prediction for the tournament (33:44)
• How he thinks the United States will perform this year (40:08)

And more, including top story lines and the team he's betting on to take home the WBC trophy.

Jason Takefman is currently a sports business consultant. He spent nearly 10 years with the Vancouver Canadiens, a minor league affiliate of MLB's Toronto Blue Jays. He's also worked with the UFC and the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL.

If you enjoyed this episode of the program, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or giving us give stars on Spotify!

Ariel reacts to UFC 307, including the thrilling main event between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr. (01:26)

Then he weighs in on Julianna Peña recapturing gold in a controversial decision (18:28), Kayla Harrison remaining undefeated in the UFC, and what could be next for the women’s bantamweight division.

Last week, Ariel shocked the sporting world when he released the list of his current top-five favorite athletes on the planet. One of those five was today's guest, Brennan Johnson, the 21-year-old phenom forward for Ariel's favorite football club: Nottingham Forest. And on today's episode, Johnson joins a giddy Ariel for a wide-ranging conversation about the following:

• Johnson's first season in the English Premier League (5:55)
• Representing Wales at the 2022 World Cup (8:20)
• Growing up with a famous father, David Johnson, who also played for Forest (9:07)
• The moment Johnson knew he was good to enough to make it to the EPL (9:55)
• How the team dynamic has changed since Forest was promoted to the EPL (15:15)
• Johnson's relationship with English football legend David Beckham (20:10)
• What it's like competing against players he grew up admiring (22:18)

Plus, a cameo from a British boxing star!

Brennan Johnson is currently this season's leading point-scorer for Nottingham Forest. Born in Nottingham, he is the son of David Johnson, who formerly played for Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Forest, and other clubs. He is considered one of the bright young stars in the English Premier League.

Missed the podcast? Let us know by leaving "The Ariel Helwani Show" a review on Apple Podcasts!

The founder of All Elite Wrestling joins Ariel for a conversation about:

• If AEW has exceeded the expectations he set for it when he launched the pro wrestling organization in 2019 (8:17)
• MJF's future with the company (15:28)
• His reaction to Vince McMahon stepping down this summer (27:10)
• Being a "challenger brand" to WWE and his thoughts on the current WWE product 
• The infamous Labor Day presser last month when CM Punk aired AEW's dirty laundry (33:00)
• His relationship with Nick Khan (51:31)

Plus, the guys talk about Khan's busy schedule and other performers AEW might go after.

Tony Khan is an American businessman, promoter, and sports executive. He is the son of Shahid Khan, who owns the Jacksonville Jaguars and English Premier League club Fulham.

To support our show, simply give The Ariel Helwani Show a 5-star rating on Spotify and subscribe to Ariel's YouTube channel.

The host of "The Rich Eisen Show," the face of NFL Network, and former ESPN personality joins Ariel for a conversation about his long run as one of the top faces and voices in American sports media. The guys discuss:

• Leaving ESPN in 2003 at the height of his popularity, and if he harbors any resentment toward the company (10:05)
• Some crazy stories from his time at ESPN, including a memorable interaction with Charlie Sheen (17:25)
• If he's ever considered returning to ESPN (22:44)
• The origins of "The Rich Eisen Show" (24:30)
• Trolling Ohio St. fans at Hall of Fame weekend (43:40)

Plus, Eisen tells Ariel why this is the Buffalo Bills' year to win the Super Bowl!

"The Rich Eisen Show" airs Monday-Friday from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Beginning in September, the show will stream for free on Roku.

If you want to support our show, simply give "The Ariel Helwani Show" a 5-star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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The lead singer of the iconic rock band The Smashing Pumpkins and owner of the legendary pro wrestling organization NWA joins Ariel for a wide-ranging conversation about the business of professional wrestling. The guys discuss:

• When he first fell in love with pro wrestling (6:14)
• His messy fallout with TNA Impact in 2016 (16:20)
• Why he decided to buy NWA in 2017 (22:50)
• The difference between MMA and pro wrestling fans (31:00)
• Why NWA doesn't script promos (37:45)
• Plans for NWA 74 on August 27/28 (51:53)

And much more!

If you want to support our show, simply give "The Ariel Helwani Show" a 5-star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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The former Head Writer at WWE and current SVP of Development at Seven Bucks Productions joins Ariel to talk about his time working alongside the biggest names in WWE, which he covers in-depth in his new book, There's Just One Problem...: True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in WWE. The guys discuss:

• Why the pandemic was the perfect time for Gewirtz to write such an important book about WWE history (9:47)
• What it was like challenging Vince McMahon at the height of his powers (24:08)
• His reaction to McMahon's retirement and where Gewirtz thinks WWE will go from here (27:40)
• Memories from WCW Invasion in 2001 (35:44)
• The art of the promo (54:10)
• His close working relationship with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and what makes The Rock so different from other stars (1:01:45)

Plus, Gewirtz and Ariel share memories from Syracuse and thoughts on the current state of professional wrestling.

The book hits shelves on August 16. You can pre-order a copy of the book here.

If you want to support our show, simply give "The Ariel Helwani Show" a 5-star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

The legendary American boxing promoter joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation about his Hall of Fame career and business ventures, discussing things like:

• Getting inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame this past weekend (4:20) 
• The recent run of great fights in boxing (10:21)
• His issues with fellow promoter Eddie Hearn (21:47)
• The first time he met Muhammad Ali (44:28)
• What he feels are his lasting contributions to the sport (1:01:25)

Plus, he talks about women's boxing, his unlikely journey to HBO Sports, what it's like owning two minor league baseball teams, and much more.

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For more on Lou and the latest in boxing, you can visit dbe1.com.

If you want to support our show, simply give "The Ariel Helwani Show" a 5-star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

The 43-year-old British boxing great, who returns to the ring on July 2 after a 10-year layoff, joins the show to discuss:

• Why he's decided to come back (6:40) 
• Struggles with depression and overcoming suicidal thoughts (10:19)
• Advice to fighters who can't find an identity after retiring (20:37)
• Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett’s weight issues (31:50)
• Sobriety (35:23)

And much more.

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For more from Ricky, you can follow him on Twitter @HitmanHatton.

If you want to support our show, simply give "The Ariel Helwani Show" a 5-star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

Theme music: "Frantic" by The Lovely Feathers

The iconic American actress joins Ariel on the show to discuss a whole host of topics! Such as:

• Her deep-rooted boxing fandom and thoughts on some big upcoming fights (4:36) 
• The first time she met Muhammad Ali (18:58)
• What it was like working with Larry David on Broadway (28:50)
• The story behind her casting in "White Men Can't Jump" and how she feels about the remake (31:03)
• Why she believes so strongly in talking to a therapist (48:30) 
• If Jake Paul is good or bad for boxing (58:30)

And much more.

We are presented by NordVPN.  Grab the NordVPN deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/ariel Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!

For more from Rosie, you can follow her on Twitter @RosiePerezBKLYN.

If you want to support our show, simply give "The Ariel Helwani Show" a 5-star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

Theme music: "Frantic" by The Lovely Feathers

The retired Canadian professional wrestler joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation about his career in the ring, his work with WWE behind-the-scenes, and the entire pro wrestling industry as a whole. He and Ariel discuss:

• A tough ending to his time working with WWE during the pandemic (13:27)
• The state of professional wrestling (21:15)
• WWE's power structure (24:38)
• If Sasha Banks and Naomi leaving WWE is a work or shoot (27:21)
• Memories of his run with WCW (39:38)

Plus, thoughts on Owen Hart and much more.

We are presented by NordVPN.  Grab the NordVPN deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/ariel Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!

For more from Lance, you can follow him on Twitter @LanceStorm.

If you want to support our show, simply give "The Ariel Helwani Show" a 5-star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

Theme music: "Frantic" by The Lovely Feathers

The New York Giants offensive lineman joins the show for a wide-ranging discussion about his NFL career, mental health struggles, and his less-than-ideal upbringing. Feliciano tells Ariel about:

• The end of his magical three-year run with Ariel's favorite team, the Buffalo Bills (4:10)
• His relationship with Bills QB Josh Allen (17:27)
• How he made it to the NFL despite being homeless while in high school (33:05)
• His life-threatening battles with depression and anxiety, including feeling suicidal (53:00)
• Dreams of being an MMA fighter one day (57:03)

And much more.

For more from Jon, you can follow him on Twitter @MongoFeliciano.

If you want to support our show, simply give "The Ariel Helwani Show" a 5-star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It goes a long way!

Theme music: "Frantic" by The Lovely Feathers

The Craic is back and this week Petesy previews UFC 307.

Fresh off cornering Merab Dvalishvili to UFC gold, John Wood looks to upset the apple cart again when he leads Khalil Rountree Jr. into battle with promotional golden goose, Alex Pereira. Wood joins the show to discuss Rountree Jr. embracing his underdog status, being bolstered by Dvalishvilli’s win and much more (04:41)

The Man in The Hat, Chuck Mindenhall, is reunited with his 3PAC brother to discuss whether the 'untouchable theory' applies to Alex Pereira (34:02). According to the theory, when a champion is perceived to be at their most powerful state, against an unassuming challenger, all kinds of crazy can occur. But is Chuck picking against his fellow Danbury native?

Petesy talks about difficult selfies, growing a beard and gives his pick for 'Underdog of the Week' (01:02:26).

The prolific sports journalist, TV personality, and author tells Ariel about his 29-year run at ESPN and some of the biggest and most controversial stories he's covered. The guys discuss:

• his iconic 2005 feature about former American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer (4:45)
• the approach that his father, Dick Schaap, took to journalism (13:51)
• differences between journalism today and when he first came up
• forming his own name for himself (26:53)
• if he's ever considered leaving sports
• his legendary live sit-down interview with Bobby Knight in 2000 (37:10)
• his favorite piece he's ever worked on

For more from Jeremy, you can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @jeremyschaap.

If you want to support our show, simply give "The Ariel Helwani Show" a 5-star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It goes a long way!

Theme music: "Frantic" by The Lovely Feathers

One of boxing’s rising stars joins the show a few weeks ahead of his June 4 showdown with George Kambosos Jr. After telling Ariel how he discovered boxing, Haney discusses his relationships with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Terence Crawford, and Eddie Hearn, why he had to leave Matchroom to sign with Top Rank, why he converted to Islam in 2021 (26:30), how he plans to avoid the pitfalls of fame (29:42), and much more.

You can follow Devin on Twitter and Instagram @RealDevinHaney.

Devin Haney is a 23-year-old American professional boxer who boasts a pristine 27-0 record. He is currently the WBC world champion and is set to face George Kambosos Jr. for the undisputed lightweight title in Melbourne, Australia, on June 4.

For more episodes of The Ariel Helwani Show, please follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on Ariel's YouTube channel.

Theme music: "Frantic" by The Lovely Feathers

The prolific Action Bronson joins the show this week! He’s an MMA superfan and one of Ariel's favorite entertainers, and he stops by to talk about the creative process behind his new album, Cocodrillo Turbo. He also talks about his favorite locations to perform, how losing over 150 pounds has made him better on stage, his pro wrestling fandom, AEW’s Hook using one of his songs as his entrance music, hanging out with Alexander Volkanovski, Nathan Diaz's holdup with the UFC, his thoughts on the greatest diss track of all-time, and much more.

You can follow Action on Twitter @ActionBronson and Instagram @bambambaklava.

Action Bronson is a New York-born rapper, actor, and entertainer. His new album, Cocodrillo Turbo, drops on April 29. For more information, please visit actionbronson.com.

For more episodes of The Ariel Helwani Show, please follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on Ariel's YouTube channel.

Theme music: "Frantic" by The Lovely Feathers

Ariel's favorite fitness instructor joins the show! After Ariel thanks her for helping him figure out life last year, Lovewell tells Ariel all about her wide-ranging career, which has taken her to the big stage alongside the megastars of the music industry, boutique fitness studios in New York City, the gardens of Martha's Vineyard, and now to one of the world's leading health and fitness companies, Peloton. In this conversation, Lovewell discusses the role of therapy in helping her improve at her job, the beauty of the collective shared struggle in her classes, and if she expected Peloton to reach the levels of success that it has. Plus, she goes behind the scenes of her life, telling Ariel what it was like growing up in a low-income family in ritzy Martha's Vineyard (16:20), her parents' divorce, a devastating loss she suffered in her mid-20s (45:38), and much, much, more.

You can follow Emma on Twitter and Instagram @emmalovewell. To learn more about her, please visit livelearnlovewell.com.

Emma Lovewell is a cycling instructor for Peloton, an American exercise and media company that helps people live their best lives. A renaissance woman, Lovewell came to Peloton after several years as a touring professional dancer, where she performed alongside the likes of Drake and The Rolling Stones. Her love for music shines through during her classes, where she offers motivation and positive thoughts to all that participate in her rides.

For more episodes of The Ariel Helwani Show, please follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on Ariel's YouTube channel.

Theme music: "Frantic" by The Lovely Feathers

One of the nation's top NFL reporters joins Ariel for a conversation about Glazer's public struggles with mental health issues, which he refers to as "the gray." Glazer tells Ariel why he decided to start speaking out about his struggles, how he hid his crippling anxiety for years, how his worst experiences have paved the way for the life he lives now, and so much more. Plus, he tells Ariel why he started training MMA, his relationships with Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture, and about his new book, Unbreakable: How I Turned My Depression and Anxiety into Motivation and You Can Too.

You can follow Jay on Twitter and Instagram @JayGlazer.

Jay Glazer is an NFL insider for FOX Sports and is one of the stars of the award-winning studio show FOX NFL Sunday. He is also the co-founder of Merging Vets and Players (MVP), an organization that trains combat veterans to reach their highest levels of performance after serving in the armed forces, as well as co-founder of the Unbreakable Performance Center.

Glazer's new book -- which features a foreword from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson -- is available now.

For more episodes of The Ariel Helwani Show, please follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on Ariel's YouTube channel.

Theme music: "Frantic" by The Lovely Feathers

Before heading off to Dallas to cover WrestleMania for BT Sport, Ariel catches up with professional wrestling journalist John Pollock. The two old friends preview pro wrestling's biggest event by discussing topics like Ronda Rousey's relationship with the fan base, if Cody Rhodes will square off against Seth Rollins like everyone expects, and Pat McAfee's highly-anticipated return to the ring. Plus, the guys also talk about their favorite WrestleMania matches of all time, as well as MJF's upcoming free agency in 2024.

You can follow Pollock on Twitter and Instagram @iamjohnpollock.

John Pollock is Canadian professional wrestling and MMA journalist. He's the co-founder of PostWrestling.com, a news site that covers all the biggest stories in the crazy world that is professional wrestling.

For more episodes of The Ariel Helwani Show, please follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on Ariel's YouTube channel.

Theme music: "Frantic" by The Lovely Feathers

Maxwell Jacob Friedman, one of the biggest stars in pro wrestling, joins Ariel to discuss his young -- but very successful -- career. MJF tells Ariel when he first developed an interest in pro wrestling and then discusses his journey to AEW, if he thought AEW would be a formidable competitor to WWE when the promotion first launched, and what AEW is doing so well right now. He also discusses his influence, getting rejected by WWE early on and his appearance as a child on “Rosie.” Plus, he talks about his upcoming free agency in 2024, his love for the business side of pro wrestling, how long he hopes to pursue this career, and much more.

You can follow MJF on Twitter and Instagram @The_MJF.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman is an American professional wrestler who currently wrestles for All Elite Wrestling, the top competitor to WWE. At just 26 years old, MJF is considered to be one of the biggest stars in not just AEW, but all of professional wrestling.

For more episodes of The Ariel Helwani Show, please follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on Ariel's YouTube channel.

Theme music: "Frantic" by The Lovely Feathers

One of Ariel's best Hollywood friends joins the show this week to discuss Astin's acclaimed acting and singing career. The Pitch Perfect star tells Ariel what it was like growing up as a guy in musical theater, and also about his first big break. Then, Astin tells a great story about how he was selected for Pitch Perfect, why the movie franchise took off, and his well-documented relationship with then-co-star Anna Camp. They also discuss stories about his burgeoning solo music career, upcoming roles, and how he was nearly cast in an NBA show and a documentary about former UFC champion Chris Weidman.

You can follow Astin on Instagram and Twitter @skylarastin.

Skylar Astin is a New York-born actor, singer, and songwriter. His first big role was as Georg in the Broadway show Spring Awakening. He then earned a role as Jesse in cult favorite Pitch Perfect, which catapulted him into the national spotlight. Since the 2012 hit, Astin has appeared in 21 & Over, Pitch Perfect 2, and Zoe's Extraordinary Playlist, among others. He's also set to play a role in the upcoming 18th season of the award-winning TV show Grey's Anatomy. On top of that, he recently announced he'll star alongside Geena Davis in the pilot of a CBS show.

For more episodes of The Ariel Helwani Show, please follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on Ariel's YouTube channel.

Theme music: "Frantic" by The Lovely Feathers

The prolific sportswriter joins the show to discuss his illustrious writing career. Pearlman tells Ariel about the moment he knew he wanted to be a journalist and the 1999 incident that helped take his writing career to new heights while he was at Sports Illustrated. Then, Pearlman talks about his transition to writing books, the art of biography writing, how many more books he hopes to write, what still motivates him, and the surprising answer to what he hopes his legacy is.

Jeff Pearlman is an American sportswriter. A former senior writer for the prestigious Sports Illustrated, Pearlman is most known for his work as an author. He has written nine books, six of which have appeared on The New York Times' bestseller list. One of his books, Showtime, has recently been made into a docuseries which is airing now on HBO. It's titled Winning Time, and it focuses on the unforgettable 1980s Los Angeles Lakers.

Pearlman is also the co-host of the Two Writers Slinging Yang podcast and the writer behind one of Ariel's favorite Substack pages.

For more episodes of The Ariel Helwani Show, please follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on Ariel's YouTube channel.

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One of America's favorite sports broadcasters joins Ariel to talk about his 27-year run at ESPN, which concluded in spring 2021. The guys discuss Mayne's political commentary on social media and how ESPN executives felt about it, as well as Mayne's bold decision to enter into contract negotiations without an agent (15:52). Plus, he tells Ariel whether he still watches SportsCenter, if he holds any resentment toward ESPN for asking him to take a paycut, if the highlight show will ever make a comeback, his 2016 interview with Conor McGregor (29:22), his relationship with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (34:26), and his work with Run Freely, a charitable organization that provides financial support to veterans.

Kenny Mayne is an American sports broadcasting legend. During his 27-year run at ESPN, Mayne entered American households as the host of SportsCenter and as the star of many unforgettable "This is SportsCenter" commercials. He also contributed to off-the-beaten-path stories, most notably in horse racing, motorsports, among many others.

You can follow Kenny on Twitter @kenny_mayne and Instagram @mayne.kenny.

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First up, Ariel and the boys react to UFC Paris on Saturday (05:45). They discuss what has gone wrong with Benoît Saint Denis and how amazing Renato Moicano has looked as of late. In addition, they talk about Moicano’s incredible post-fight promo and a potential fight against Paddy Pimblett. The boys also discuss the rest of the card, including Bryan Battle’s heel promo on the French crowd.

Later, they talk about the bizarre circumstances surrounding boxer Sandy Ryan getting paint thrown on her as she headed to MSG fight Mikaela Mayer on Friday (28:04).

Then, the discussion shifts to the upcoming PFL PPV main card and whether the card is worth the price tag (35:27).

Finally, the boys preview UFC 307 and all the storylines heading into Saturday’s event (42:27) and finish up with a review of the Mr. McMahon documentary on Netflix (56:22), as well as a recap of the recent UFC class action lawsuit settlement news (1:04:34).

One of Canada's sports broadcasting legends joins the show to talk about his legendary career, telling Ariel stories about his iconic SportsCentre show on TSN and his relationship with his then-co-host, Jay Onrait. Plus, the guys discuss O'Toole's decision to leave TSN for the new FS1 in 2013, why he wasn't happy at FOX, his eventual return to TSN, moving from Toronto to Los Angeles, an online battle with Katie Nolan, and some of the demons he's battled since leaving TSN again last year.

Dan O'Toole is a Canadian broadcaster known mostly for his role alongside Jay Onrait on TSN's SportsCentre in the early 2000s, a show whose popularity rivaled that of Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann in the United States. After enjoying many years of success at TSN and FS1, O'Toole left TSN (again) in 2021 and is now the host of the podcast, Boomsies! with Dan O'Toole.

You can follow Dan on Twitter and Instagram @dangotoole.

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One of Ariel's favorite Hollywood personalities (and teenage crushes) joins Ariel for an extensive conversation. The two discuss a number of topics. like Burke's Jewish roots, the importance of mindfulness and mental health, her exit from Dancing with the Stars in 2013, if she regrets posing for Playboy, her eight engagements, and advice she'd give to her younger self. Oh, and some CRAZY love stories that you have to hear to believe.

Brooke Burke is a businesswoman, TV host, mother, and health and fitness guru. After rising to prominence on E!'s Wild On! and several other TV shows, Burke parlayed her success into hosting Dancing with the Stars from 2010-13. Since then, she's founded Brooke Burke Body, a home workout fitness app, among other projects.

You can follow Brooke on Twitter and Instagram @brookeburke.

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In a wide-ranging conversation about his INSANE life, Steve-O tells Ariel about his journey from clown school to the big screen. The guys discuss many things, like how a college breakup led to his daredevil career, using his body for medical testing, his relationship with Johnny Knoxville, how the idea for Jackass came to fruition, the intervention that turned his life around, his 14-year sobriety, the closest he's ever felt to death, and so much more.

Steve-O is a widely celebrated actor, comedian, author, podcaster, and stuntman. Known most for his work on the early 2000s popular TV show Jackass, Steve-O is also a massive MMA fan. His YouTube channel has 6 million subscribers and he also hosts the podcast, Wild Ride! with Steve-O. In 2011, he co-wrote Professional Idiot: A Memoir, which provides a deeply intimate look into Steve-O's life.

His new movie, Jackass Forever, is available in theaters now. You can follow Steve-O on Twitter and Instagram @steveo.

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One of Ariel's childhood heroes joins the show for a wide-ranging discussion about his new book, The Last Enforcer, and many other topics, like Oakley's relationships with Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing, memories of playing for the '90s Knicks, his trade to the Toronto Raptors, the infamous 2017 incident with James Dolan at Madison Square Garden, the current state of the Knicks, and who Oakley would like to fight in a celebrity boxing match!

Charles Oakley played 19 seasons in the NBA, suiting up for the Knicks, Raptors, Wizards, Bulls, and Rockets during his illustrious career. He's most known for his 10 seasons in New York, where alongside Ewing, John Starks and, for a period, legendary coach Pat Riley, he helped the Knicks become one of the most popular teams in the league. He is also the founder of The Charles Oakley Foundation, which focuses on helping serve underprivileged communities.

You can follow Oakley on Twitter @CharlesOakley34. His new book, The Last Enforcer, is available now.

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One of the most celebrated names in Hollywood joins Ariel for a conversation about his busy career before the guys talk about Lopez' high school wrestling days, the recently revamped Saved by the Bell on Peacock, things he hasn't accomplished yet, how he tries to stay neutral in political debates, how he's navigated his career during the pandemic, and much more.

Mario Lopez is an American actor, producer, talk show host, and entertainer. Known most for his role as A.C. Slater on the '80s hit sitcom Saved by the Bell, Lopez has also appeared on hit TV shows like Dancing with the Stars and Pacific Blue, as well as movies like Colors and Eastside. Lopez currently hosts Access Hollywood and Access Daily, and co-hosts the 3 Knockdown Rule podcast, as well as the nationally-syndicated radio show On with Mario Lopez.

You can follow Lopez on Twitter @mariolopezviva and Instagram @mariolopez.

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One of the best pitchers in baseball joins Ariel for an honest conversation about many subjects, like Snell's love of MMA, why he feels the need to give back to the community, and his Twitch channel. Plus, Snell opens up about his infamous May 2020 comments in the early stages of the pandemic (21:42), MLB's current lockout (26:30), the controversial decision to pull him from Game 6 of the 2020 World Series, baseball's unwritten rules, and much, much more.

Blake Snell is a pitcher for the San Diego Padres. The 29-year-old left-hander is entering his seventh season in the big leagues and his second in San Diego. He spent five seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, winning the 2018 AL Cy Young Award after boasting an astounding 21-5 record and 1.89 ERA. Snell helped lead Tampa Bay to the World Series in 2020, where the Rays fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.

You can follow Blake on Twitter, Instagram, and Twitch @SnellZilla4.

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One of the most respected voices in sports media joins Ariel for an open and honest conversation (and I'm glad we're having it). The two friends discuss Le Batard's new outlook on life thanks to the founding of his new company, Meadowlark Media, and his relatively new marriage. He also discusses the separation of his personal and professional lives, why he's happier than he's ever been and the importance of therapy in his life. Then, the guys trade stories about their respective times at ESPN, with "El Bastardo" Le Batard opening up about his exit from ESPN, and if he ever regrets joining the company in the first place (33:20).

Dan Le Batard is one of the most celebrated sports media personalities of the 21st century. Before founding Meadowlark Media in early 2021, LeBatard spent a decade at ESPN hosting The Dan LeBatard Show w/ Stugotz and Highly Questionable. Prior to joining ESPN, LeBatard wrote for The Miami Herald in his beloved home city of Miami.

You can follow Dan on Twitter and Instagram @LeBatardShow.

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The prolific Michelle Beadle joins the show for a wide-ranging discussion about her life during and after her 8+ years at ESPN. Among many subjects, Beadle opens up about her unceremonious exit from the company, her infamous comment about not watching football, behind-the-scenes drama and much more. Plus, she talks about her solo international travels, how she landed her new gig covering the San Antonio Spurs, and an exclusive scoop!

Michelle Beadle is a sports media personality currently covering the San Antonio Spurs. She also hosts the What Did I Miss?  podcast with The Athletic. Formerly of ESPN and NBC, Beadle has hosted high-profile shows like Get Up!, NBA Countdown, SportsNation and more.

You can follow Michelle on Twitter @MichelleDBeadle and Instagram @michelle.beadle.

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For more episodes of The Ariel Helwani Show, please follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

To get more from Ariel, subscribe to his YouTube channel, read his writing on Substack, watch his work for BT Sport, and follow The MMA Hour or The Ringer MMA Show.

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The greatest surfer of all-time joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation, beginning with his MMA fandom and an online battle with Paulo Costa a few years ago. Then, Slater opens up about the dangers of surfing and why he doesn't fear death like most people do (27:18) and why sharks don't worry him too much. Plus, he reveals to Ariel how much longer he plans on surfing (45:08) and also talks about his controversial decision to not get the COVID-19 vaccine and failing to qualify for the Olympics this past summer. Lastly, Slater discusses his role on Baywatch in the mid-1990s (59:44) and the relationship with Pamela Anderson that ensued a few years later.
 
Kelly Slater is widely considered to be the greatest surfer of all-time. The winner of 11 World Championships, he is both the youngest and oldest surfer to ever win a WSL title. At age 49, Slater still competes at a world-class level.

You can follow Kelly on Twitter and Instagram @kellyslater.

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To get more from Ariel, subscribe to his YouTube channel, read his writing on Substack, watch his work for BT Sport, and follow The MMA Hour or The Ringer MMA Show.

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On today's episode, the famous actor and pro wrestling superfan joins Ariel to talk about his time working for WWE over a decade ago. Then, the guys discuss differences between WWE and AEW, his time training in Albuquerque, NM, his movie plans for 2022 (47:30) and his 20-year marriage to actress Sarah Michelle Gellar (57:05). Also, Prinze Jr. reveals his plans to get back into the wrestling business in a big way next year. Make sure to listen to the very end to witness a special bonding moment between the guys!
 
Freddie Prinze Jr. is an American film and TV actor, writer and producer. He is also the host of WWFreddie - Wrestling with Freddie, a pro wrestling podcast. He has starred in “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “She’s All That,” “Scooby-Doo,” and much more.

You can follow Freddie on Twitter @RealFJR and on Instagram @realfreddieprinze.

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To get more from Ariel, subscribe to his YouTube channel, read his writing on Substack, watch his work for BT Sport, and follow The MMA Hour or The Ringer MMA Show.

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One of the foremost French voices in the sport, Guillaume Duseaux of La Sueur, joins the show to set the table for UFC's big Paris card and explains the explosion in popularity MMA has witnessed in the country since the sport’s legalization in 2020.

Following up his pick of Merab Dvalishvili — which brought home the first parlay of The Ariel Helwani Show's new era — Petesy speaks to his “Underdog of the Week” Kevin Jousset, who takes on Bryan Battle in Paris. The 2-0 UFC welterweight explains why he went to Scotland to learn to speak English, training with Alex Volkanovski in Australia, moving to City Kickboxing and his pursuit of Ian Machado Garry.

Petesy details his experience covering an MMA event in Paris and explains why he thinks the popularity of the sport in the country is difficult for the English-speaking community to comprehend.

In this special Wednesday edition of the show, Ariel talks to former NFL linebacker AJ Hawk about his post-football career as a broadcaster and as co-host of The Pat McAfee Show. In this wide-ranging conversation, Hawk discusses his relationship with former teammate Aaron Rodgers (18:57), how the NFL treats its players upon retirement (53:30), his love of MMA and his own fighting experiences, why he says yes to everything and why he and his wife got engaged after only four months of dating. Plus, Hawk gives Ariel some workout advice!

AJ Hawk played 11 seasons in the NFL, spending nine of them with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers selected Hawk No. 5 overall out of Ohio State in the 2006 NFL Draft, eventually winning the Super Bowl with Green Bay in 2011. After walking away from football in 2016, Hawk has been an analyst for Fox Sports, hosted The HawkCast and has become a regular fixture on The Pat McAfee Show.

You can follow AJ on Twitter and Instagram @OfficialAJHawk.

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To get more from Ariel, subscribe to his YouTube channel, read his writing on Substack, watch his work for BT Sport, and follow The MMA Hour or The Ringer MMA Show.

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The world-renowned adult entertainer joins Ariel for an honest and open conversation about her career. She tells Ariel why left nursing to pursue performing, how her family and friends feel about her field of work, and how she separates her work from her personal life. Plus, she discusses the biggest misconceptions about her industry and why she loves MMA so much.

Kendra Lust is widely considered to be one of the top performers in adult entertainment. A huge MMA fan, she also co-hosts the Beauty & The Beast podcast alongside UFC fighter Julian Marquez.

You can follow Kendra on Twitter and Instagram @kendralust, as well as her podcast's YouTube channel.

For more episodes of The Ariel Helwani Show, please follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

To get more from Ariel, subscribe to his YouTube channel, read his writing on Substack, watch his work for BT Sport, and follow The MMA Hour or The Ringer MMA Show.

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The Formula 1 superstar joins Ariel to talk about Ricciardo's Bills fandom and obsession with watching the UFC, among many other things. Then, the guys discuss Ricciardo's illustrious motor racing career, where Ricciardo opens up about his rise in popularity, if he has any regrets, his decision to change teams again in 2020, the importance of putting yourself first, dealing with critics and much, much more.

Daniel Ricciardo is one of the top Formula 1 drivers in the world. The 32-year-old Australian-born racer has won eight Grand Prix in his career, the most recent one coming in Italy this past September. Ricciardo gained even more fame in 2019 with the release of the popular Netflix series, Drive to Survive, a docuseries that took viewers behind the scenes of life as a Formula 1 driver.

You can follow Daniel on Twitter and Instagram @danielricciardo, where he has a combined 8.2M followers.

For more episodes of The Ariel Helwani Show, please follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

To get more from Ariel, subscribe to his YouTube channel, read his writing on Substack, watch his work for BT Sport, and follow The MMA Hour or The Ringer MMA Show.

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One of Ariel's favorite sportswriters joins the show to tell the story of his media journey, which began when he covered the elite New York City high school basketball scene. Then, Isola discusses landing a gig with The New York Daily News and the magic of covering those '90s Knicks teams. Plus, he tells Ariel how his relationship with the Knicks eventually soured (39:17), why it's harder for reporters to fairly cover the NBA today (55:32), and much more.

Frank Isola is an American sportswriter who covered the New York Knicks for The New York Daily News from 1995-2017. He then wrote about the Knicks for The Athletic. Today, he co-hosts a SiriusXM radio show, serves as a Nets studio analyst for YES Network, and is also a regular contributor to ESPN's "Around the Horn" and "Pardon the Interruption." He is also the author of the 1999 book, "Just Ballin': The Chaotic Rise of the New York Knicks."

You can follow Frank on Twitter and Instagram @TheFrankIsola.

For more episodes of The Ariel Helwani Show, please follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

To get more from Ariel, subscribe to his YouTube channel, read his writing on Substack, watch his work for BT Sport, and follow The MMA Hour or The Ringer MMA Show.

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