The Ariel Helwani Show

The Craic is back! Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall, and Ben Fowlkes return as usual.

First up, the lads react to the fireworks between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland at the UFC 328 press conference (05:10).

After predicting what kind of shenanigans could unfold at the pair’s final faceoff (36:19), the boys preview the flyweight title co-main event between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira (41:40).

Attention then turns to Dana White’s confidence in Conor McGregor making his long-awaited return this summer (49:29).

Elsewhere, recent comments from TKO president Mark Shapiro on the state of the UFC product have come under the microscope (01:01:45).

To close the show, the chaps give their UFC 328 picks (01:09:15).

Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri kick off the show discussing David Benavidez’s recent comments about potentially fighting Dmitry Bivol at a catchweight of 190 pounds. Is Benavidez already looking for a way out of making the 175-pound light heavyweight limit? Ring Magazine also reported a strong desire from Turki Alalshikh for Benavidez to fight heavyweight king, Oleksandr Usyk, in 2027 (03:36).

Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois will go at it in a highly-anticipated heavyweight championship fight in Manchester, England. Can Wardley keep the momentum going after big stoppage wins over Justis Huni and Joseph Parker? Dubois, coming off the stoppage loss to Usyk, and could be in a do-or-die situation (23:25).

Finally, the guys discuss the upcoming featherweight championship bout between Angelo Leo and Ra’eese Aleem, with the winner potentially squaring off against Naoya Inoue in 2027 (55:01).

The Boys in the Back read your five-star podcast reviews (02:51), before discussing Raja Jackson's plea deal (22:32), Freedom 250 fighters visiting President Donald Trump at the White House (25:23), and another investor call from TKO's Mark Shapiro (32:14).

After previewing UFC 328 (55:40) and making picks (1:55:49), they debut a brand new Fight Feasts focused on Burmese food (1:58:59).

The show ends with the Boys' P4P lists of diner food (2:12:39), voicemails (2:36:05), and Super Chats (3:14:50).

Ariel Helwani begins the show by honoring media mogul and WCW owner Ted Turner, who passed away Wednesday (10:02).

Eric Bischoff joins to celebrate Turner, talking about his impact on the wrestling industry, stories from their time running WCW together, fallout from the Time Warner merger, and more (17:59).

Ariel and The Boys in the Back discuss UFC 328, including Khamzat Chimaev releasing sparring footage with Sean Strickland, new trash talk from both sides, and Strickland’s brewing feud with Josh Hokit, then touch on Ciryl Gane’s recent comments about Tom Aspinall, Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria flying to see President Trump at the White House, and more (38:25).

Heavyweight boxer Dave Allen previews his upcoming bout against Filip Hrgovic, also speaking about his love of American sitcoms, getting into the management game, Conor Benn leaving Matchroom, Zuffa Boxing’s entry into the sport, and more (57:57).

Johnny Eblen joins to discuss his training sessions with Sean Strickland, before PFL middleweight champion Costello van Steenis joins for their virtual face-to-face, ramping up the intensity before their massive rematch in July (1:35:29).

Karate Combat President Asim Zaidi addresses recent criticism the promotion has received, giving details about the brawls involving the Pitbull brothers, Winged C pretending to be blind and walking onto the mat, Larissa Pacheco being matched against an inexperienced fighter, fighters claiming the promotion didn’t pay them, and more (2:04:50).

Paulie Malignaggi is back ahead of his next bare-knuckle bout, discussing damage he suffered in his last fight, the Ali Revival Act and the recent Senate committee hearing on the bill, the state of the sport of boxing, and more (2:32:19).

The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll join Ariel to react to the White House main and co-main event fighters visiting President Trump, Sean Strickland’s media day comments, and more (3:04:43).

After answering your On The Nose questions (3:27:14), the show ends with your Super Chats (4:05:45).

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).