The Ariel Helwani Show

Ariel Helwani is joined by the Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll to react to UFC Baku announcements, easter eggs in the new EA Sports UFC 6 trailer, and more (07:34).

Tatsuro Taira joins the show ahead of his UFC flyweight title fight against Joshua Van at UFC 328, talking about the fight being delayed due to an injury to Van, potentially becoming the first Japanese UFC champion, being inspired by Naoya Inoue’s win over Junto Nakatani, wanting to fight Alexandre Pantoja and Kyoji Horiguchi, and more (12:05).

In an awkward interview, Daniel Dubois quickly previews his upcoming WBO heavyweight title fight against Fabio Wardley, before storming off (32:49).

Luke Rockhold returns, discussing his involvement with Santo Studio, training sessions with Khamzat Chimaev, Chimaev’s demeanor in light of Sean Strickland’s trash talk, not liking Strickland’s gym etiquette, wanting to face Michael Bisping at a RAF event, and more (1:30:18).

Unified cruiserweight champion David Benavidez is back on the heels of his massive knockout of Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez, breaking down the win, his place in the P4P rankings, having no interest in the Zuffa Boxing belts, still being willing to fight Canelo Alvarez, wanting to go back to light heavyweight to face Dmitry Bivol, pressing pause on any heavyweight talks, and more (2:32:08).

Ariel wraps up with your Super Chats (3:05:58).

Solomonster is back with thoughts on the unceremonious WWE departures of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, reports of TKO asking to restructure their deals, and why leaving is the best thing that could happen (4:19).

Plus, thoughts on additional WWE releases including JC Mateo and Tonga Loa (26:34).

Next, WWE Backlash preview and predictions, including John Cena teasing something “epic,” and an update on why Roman Reigns was suddenly pulled from Raw dates in June (31:55).

This week, a social media “story” about AEW and Warner Brothers Discovery was treated as gospel, but it wasn't anything we didn’t already know and you should be skeptical about it (55:12).

Then, news on Dynamite notching its highest domestic attendance in two years, where things stand for the Double or Nothing card, and a medical update on Kota Ibushi (1:03:39).

The show closes with some listener Q&A and a scary health update on Chelsea Green, who was treated for a heart condition and is now on the mend (1:08:31).

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show with one of Saturday’s big winners, UFC lightweight prospect Quillan Salkilld, discussing his massive knockout of Beneil Dariush, his growing fan base and social media following, his mustache, his callout of Mateusz Gamrot, and more (05:01).

Old friend Chael Sonnen is back to chat with Ariel about the UFC’s welterweight title picture, a potential fight between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway, his beef with Jorge Masvidal, the escalating trash talk between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev, and more (47:36).

Queensberry Promotions’ Frank Warren returns to talk all things boxing, including David Benavidez’s big win, Fabio Wardley’s title defense against Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma’s next fight moving from July to August, his relationship with Turki Alalshikh, Zuffa Boxing’s first few shows, the Ali Revival Act passing through Congress, talks of Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua on Netflix, and more (1:42:13).

Ariel is joined by The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll to recap a busy combat sports weekend, touching on the continued back-and-forth between Strickland and Chimaev, the latest White House card updates, Tom Aspinall’s road back to the cage, and more (2:23:30).

Ariel closes the show with your Super Chats (3:43:57).

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri open the show reacting to David Benavidez’s unreal knockout of Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez to capture the unified cruiserweight championship (03:58).

With the win, Benavidez stamped himself as one of the bonafide stars of the sport and could carry the 'Face of Boxing' moniker. Could Dmitry Bivol, Jai Opetaia, or even a run at heavyweight be next (22:00)?

The undercard delivered as well with four scintillating fights, from Jaime Munguia’s win over Armando Resendiz, to an all out brawl between Ismael Flores and Isaac Lucero. Oscar Duarte had an up-and-down performance vs. Angel Fierro as well (46:31).

The Craic is back with Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall, and Ben Fowlkes at the helm.

Sean Strickland is back in the headlines with controversial trash talk aimed at upcoming opponent and UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev. The trio break down the impact his latest tirade is having on the perception of MMA (4:18).

Another fight potentially on the horizon is Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry. Does Garry’s style present real problems for Makhachev (40:45)?

Welterweights take center stage at this weekend’s UFC Perth card, where Jack Della Maddalena faces Carlos Prates in a potential firefight, but will the lads be tuning in for the early start (46:19)?

After spotlighting Ben Fowlkes’ latest Uncrowned piece on Sonny Liston (1:03:15), they close the show by getting to your Super Chats (01:12:23).