Ariel Helwani's MMA Show

Ariel opens the show by offering his immediate thoughts on UFC 246 and Conor McGregor's 40-second TKO of Cowboy Cerrone. Then, after the best win of her career, UFC flyweight Roxanne Modafferi tells Ariel why she didn't take advantage of Maycee Barber's apparent leg injury, what she attributes this upset win to and how she can build off this win (7:17). Then, a fiery Kevin Lee, who will take on Charles Oliveira in March, explains why the fight with Islam Makhachev fell through before sounding off on the UFC's top names and why they don't impress him (28:55). Next, ESPN analyst and former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping breaks down McGregor's fighting strategy and what this loss means for Cerrone's legacy (40:22). After that, Diego Ferreira, a winner over Anthony Pettis on Saturday, talks about his preparations for the fight and what it was like to be on the 246 card (56:44). Then, bantamweight legend Holly Holm discusses if she's happy with her Saturday performance against Raquel Pennington before talking about when she hopes to fight next and some personal struggles she's been dealing with (1:11:32). Then, Brian "Boom" Kelleher on Saturday night, if he considered it a must-win and how he would have considered retirement had he lost (1:25:04). Drew Dober, who received a bonus for his Saturday performance, then tells Ariel what he hopes for next (1:35:42). After that, McGregor's post-fight interview with Ariel where the guys discuss McGregor's welterweight TKO, what it felt like to be out there again, what the future could hold in store and more (1:45:04). Next, BMF champion Jorge Masvidal - one of McGregor's potential next opponents - weighs in on the fight and if he wants to battle McGregor or Kamaru Usman next (2:07:18). Plus, he (kind of) reveals why he wore the robe he did on Saturday night. McGregor's manager, Audie Attar, then discusses McGregor's new mindset and how he sees McGregor's 2020 unfolding (2:35:15). Lastly, McGregor's longtime coach, John Kavanagh, explains why Saturday was about much more than just winning a fight. He also tells Ariel who he wants McGregor to fight next...and it's not the guy you may think (2:50:44).

On Saturday two UFC legends collide on ESPN+ as Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone faces Irishman Conor McGregor, perhaps the most notorious fighter in mixed martial arts. ESPN Senior Writer Kevin Van Valkenburg visited Ireland to see how years of controversy, troubling behavior, and criminal allegations have affected McGregor's folk hero status at home.

Following Wednesday night's UFC 246 press conference featuring Conor McGregor, Cowboy Cerrone and Dana White, Ariel hits the ESPN Radio airwaves to take fan calls and to speak with Chael Sonnen (12:48) about his takeaways from the night. Plus, "TST's Minimalist Tip of the Week" with some help from McGregor (39:17).

With all eyes on Conor McGregor and his UFC 246 battle with Cowboy Cerrone in Las Vegas, Ariel opens the show by explaining why he's so excited about this card. The show's first guest, UFC bantamweight Dominick Cruz talks about a conversation he shared with McGregor and the advice he has for him in facing off against Cerrone (23:39). Then, former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez tells Ariel about his plan to fight three times this year, which he hopes will ultimately land him a ONE Championship title fight (39:29). After that, UFC lightweight Anthony Pettis previews his Saturday matchup against Carlos Diego Ferreira before explaining how he's fallen back in love with "the process" of fighting during this camp (49:57). Plus, he tells a wild story about USADA. Then, in an exclusive interview, the man they call "Notorious" sits down with Ariel to discuss his newfound outlook on life, his confidence heading into this fight, the camaraderie he shares with his team, the role of his two children in his life, how he's managed to block out all of the criticism he's received, why he's chosen to fight Cerrone at 170 lbs., his questionable decision-making before the Khabib Nurmagomedov bout and how he hopes to rectify it by fighting him again, his relationship with life guru Tony Robbins, how much money he'll make off the Cerrone fight and much more (1:05:28). After that, 15 different celebrities weigh in with their UFC 246 picks, with predictions coming from the NBA's Kristaps Porzingis, WWE's Becky Lynch, actor Mario Lopez and many more (1:58:45). Owen Roddy, McGregor's striking coach, then discusses the holes in Cerrone's game and McGregor's readiness for the fight (2:05:58). Next, UFC flyweight Roxanne Modafferi, who fights Maycee Barber this weekend, talks about her social media exchanges with Barber and how she envisions Saturday night will unfold (2:24:34). Lastly, SBG Ireland's John Kavanagh makes his return to the show to candidly discuss how McGregor got his motivation back, why the Irishman needs to fight to stay grounded and out of trouble, if he thinks McGregor could fight Justin Gaethje next, and the last time he remembers seeing McGregor this focused and happy (2:35:32).

Ariel and NewYorkRic begin their 2020 preview by looking back on the fallout of Ariel's controversial picks from the 2019 Helwani Nose Awards. Then, the two old friends discuss the fights that must happen in 2020 (15:17), bold predictions (27:37), the biggest stories they're watching (39:06) and who they expect to win the male and female fighters of the year (51:24). Plus, TST's own predictions and his "Minimalist Tip of the Week," which takes on a New Year's spin (1:06:29).