The Ariel Helwani Show

The Craic is back! This week, the lads go all in on UFC 324.
To open the show, Petesy Carroll is joined by Craic regular Ben Fowlkes and UK MMA journalist Chisanga Malata to break down this weekend’s main event: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett (2:30).
One half of that main event, Gaethje, recently voiced his disappointment over not getting more money after the Paramount deal. Petesy and Ben react to his comments, the fallout that followed, and the state of fighter pay in 2026 (31:02).
UFC 324 brings plenty of other key storylines. The boys debate whether Arman Tsarukyan should be next for the winner of the main event (46:38).
Next, they dig into the fireworks bantamweight matchup between Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong (48:42), and discuss whether Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Ciryl Gane could be next up for the heavyweight title (51:01).
On the back end of the show, Chuck Mindenhall joins from Las Vegas. Boots on the ground for the Zuffa Boxing debut, Chuck sheds light on how the event is shaping up (53:45).
To close up shop, the boys give their UFC 324 picks (1:12:31), and respond to your Super Chats (1:16:45).

The Boys in the Back kick off the show with a discussion about UFC fighter pay in the Paramount Era, sparked by Justin Gaethje's recent comments (02:35).
After touching on Dana White saying he wanted a specific fighter to lose (19:53), they preview the UFC 324 main card (26:59).
The Boys react in real time to White's response to Gaethje (54:14), before bringing in Ariel Helwani to talk more about fighter pay and UFC seemingly moving on from Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler (1:26:58).
They break down the rest of UFC 324 (1:52:14), make picks (1:59:50), and debut a brand new Fight Feasts, featuring cuisine from the Dominican Republic (2:04:02).
Finally, the Boys deliver their P4P convenience store foods and drinks (2:16:11), listen to your voicemails (2:36:14), and answer your Super Chats (3:19:53).

Ariel Helwani begins the show by reacting to Donn Davis’ PFL departure, PFL securing additional funding, and Jake Paul’s PFL partnership coming to an end (03:33).
Next, Ariel answers On The Nose questions about Dana White’s recent media tour, including his reaction to the idea of Conor McGregor vs. Jorge Masvidal, Sean O’Malley’s future, UFC’s political influence, Amanda Nunes’ return, and more (16:15).
Israel Adesanya is back to break down his UFC Seattle fight against Joe Pyfer, discussing how the fight came together, whether he believes he can fight for the title again, the state of the middleweight division, training with Mauricio Ruffy, his foray into DJing, and more (1:34:36).
Cory Sandhagen joins the show, dissecting the UFC bantamweight division, including major UFC 324 matchups and Sean O’Malley potentially getting a title shot, then talks about Justin Gaethje’s chances against Paddy Pimblett, his time jumping rope and climbing mountains, and more (2:05:31).
Michael Chandler is our final guest of the day, addressing the buzz around the White House card and giving his thoughts on Dana White’s recent comments about Conor McGregor’s return, why he should be the one to fight McGregor, Jorge Masvidal’s entry into the conversation, Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, and more (2:34:22).
Ariel closes the show with an update on the Ali Revival Act, before answering a few more On The Nose questions and Super Chats (3:00:52).

Ariel Helwani kicks off the show by acknowledging Indiana University’s college football national championship (05:26).
Ateba Gautier is our first guest, joining ahead of his UFC 324 fight to discuss being considered a top prospect, remaining relentlessly motivated, his game plan for Andrey Pulyaev, believing teammate Lerone Murphy should have gotten a title shot, and more (12:16).
Rose Namajunas returns to preview her UFC 324 meeting with Natalia Silva, talking about being one of the most tenured current UFC veterans, what motivates her now, how her style matches up with Silva’s taekwondo, potentially fighting friend and UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, and more (34:00).
Dominick Cruz is back to discuss the launch of his podcast, including the former rivals he’s had as guests, whether he has the itch to fight again, fighter pay in the post-pay-per-view era, his viral social media comment about Alexandre Pantoja’s injury, potentially competing again, Conor McGregor’s potential return, and more (1:04:55).
iVB founder Ed Pereira details the company’s background, then talks about working on The Ring’s Times Square boxing event, the public event they’re trying to do in San Francisco, finding a promoter for the event, shooting down rumors of Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder being booked for the main event, and more (1:51:08).
Ariel wraps up the show with some news and notes, including Katie Taylor talking retirement, footage of Gable Steveson training with Jon Jones, Max Holloway’s response to Ariel’s interview with Jorge Masvidal, and more (2:34:25).
Finally, your Super Chats (3:27:52).

Ariel Helwani starts the show on a somber note, reflecting on the Buffalo Bills’ season coming to an end, before reacting to a busy weekend that included major reveals from Zuffa Boxing, Paramount’s promotional efforts for UFC 324, Dana White’s recent apathy, Arman Tsarukyan’s world tour, Alex Pereira and Jon Jones exchanging callouts, and more (12:25).
Jorge Masvidal returns to talk about rumors of him potentially facing Conor McGregor, wanting to fight on the White House card, not calling in a favor with President Trump to get on the card, and his response to Max Holloway’s stance on the BMF title (1:04:21).
Waldo Cortes-Acosta is back, previewing his UFC 324 fight against Derrick Lewis, revealing he wanted to fight Lewis for a long time, looking back at his baseball career, and more (1:35:07).
Dustin Poirier is our final guest of the day, joining on his birthday to discuss the birth of his son Kingston, life in retirement, still missing fighting, continuing to seek broadcast opportunities, his breakdown of the UFC 324 main event and Conor McGregor’s potential return, filming the "Road House" sequel, and more (2:00:37).
Ariel covers more news and notes, including Conor McGregor talking about his contract status, Alexandre Pantoja being back in the gym, Nick Diaz and Sean Strickland crossing paths in Vegas, and more (2:00:37).
Finally, Ariel answers your Super Chats (3:31:59).