Ariel Helwani: Did UFC Fumble Conor McGregor’s Return Announcement? | The MMA Hour

On the latest edition of On the Nose, Ariel Helwani discusses what’s next for Alex Pereira, Dustin Poirier’s title shot, if a chat with Dana White will ever happen, the UFC 303 announcement, studio vs. hotel room interviews, the UFC 303 fight card, Taylor vs. Serrano 2, and more.
00:00:00 Intro.
00:00:55 Is Pereira the one to bring stability to the 205lb title picture?
00:03:53 Shout out to the Parlay Boys.
00:05:27 Why is there no pushback on Dustin Poirier getting the title fight?
00:06:44 Is there a world where you’d be able to do a sitdown interview with Dana White?
00:09:24 What’s the best news you’ve gotten by way of a ripped up piece of paper?
00:21:05 How did interviewing from a sofa compare to the studio desk setup?
00:23:05 Why is Dana so open to Nunes coming back?
00:23:53 Are they saving Leon Edwards for the Manchester card at this point?
00:24:43 Now that McGregor vs. Chandler has been announced, what will the card look like?
00:27:03 Do you have any concerns about Kayla making championship weight?
00:27:23 Why didn’t you break the McGregor vs. Chandler news?
00:29:04 Was the UFC’s video for Chael a rough choice?
00:31:20 Taylor vs. Serrano 2 co-main announcement.
00:33:06 Should there be a promo bonus a la Moicano?
00:33:40 Arman turning down the title fight?
00:34:38 Who is actually voting on the rankings?
00:35:40 Rapid fire, what matchups are you interested in?
00:41:15 Should all #1 contender fights be 5 rounds?
00:41:41 How has Jaclyn influenced your career and the show?
00:43:48 Why do you always tell fighters not to read the comments, and then you address them?
00:44:48 Diego Lopes looks like a young Jim Lampley.
00:46:22 Did the Max KO change your stance on the BMF?
00:49:49 Where can you get a Who Me t-shirt?
00:50:12 Why no Matchroom involvement?
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00:00:55 Is Pereira the one to bring stability to the 205lb title picture? 00:03:53 Shout out to the Parlay Boys. 00:05:27 Why is there no pushback on Dustin Poirier getting the title fight? 00:06:44 Is there a world where you’d be able to do a sitdown interview with Dana White? 00:09:24 What’s the best news you’ve gotten by way of a ripped up piece of paper? 00:21:05 How did interviewing from a sofa compare to the studio desk setup? 00:23:05 Why is Dana so open to Nunes coming back? 00:23:53 Are they saving Leon Edwards for the Manchester card at this point? 00:24:43 Now that McGregor vs. Chandler has been announced, what will the card look like? 00:27:03 Do you have any concerns about Kayla making championship weight? 00:27:23 Why didn’t you break the McGregor vs. Chandler news? 00:29:04 Was the UFC’s video for Chael a rough choice? 00:31:20 Taylor vs. Serrano 2 co-main announcement. 00:33:06 Should there be a promo bonus a la Moicano? 00:33:40 Arman turning down the title fight? 00:34:38 Who is actually voting on the rankings? 00:35:40 Rapid fire, what matchups are you interested in? 00:41:15 Should all #1 contender fights be 5 rounds? 00:41:41 How has Jaclyn influenced your career and the show? 00:43:48 Why do you always tell fighters not to read the comments, and then you address them? 00:44:48 Diego Lopes looks like a young Jim Lampley. 00:46:22 Did the Max KO change your stance on the BMF? 00:49:49 Where can you get a Who Me t-shirt? 00:50:12 Why no Matchroom involvement?

[@deadpanduh]

No worse than Ariel on Brock Lesnar's return at UFC 200 😂

[@PhilSophia-ox7ep]

He isn't a promoter

[@shroomgod1990]

That was the biggest fumble. Ever since then Ariel is blacked ball from ESPN Dana made sure he couldn’t get in during the may-Mac fight and tour. His career is good but it could’ve been way different if it wasn’t for Brock.

[@trevstation]

@@PhilSophia-ox7epno just one of the biggest media members… that cover the sport and wait… he is a promoter

[@PhilSophia-ox7ep]

@@trevstation No, I suggest a class called Intro to Journalism. Journalists, reporters and media members aren't promoters dim one. Promoters are promoters. That's why they're called promoters. And thats why media isn't called promotion. Once you realize they have two very different jobs, you'll understand why Ariel is the way he is.

[@King_JappyJoe]

Ariel would have rather spoiled it on Twitter hours before like he did the Lesnar announcement anyway lmao

[@rrai-]

They didnt fumble it lile you leaking brocks return though

[@mr.brenman2132]

If he had the Connor information it would suddenly be a good announcement 😆

[@toziassmitt]

It was fumbled, 100%

[@PhilSophia-ox7ep]

He didn't leak Brock. He reported it. That's his job. He isn't a promoter.

[@PhilSophia-ox7ep]

​@@mr.brenman2132He did have the information dum dum

[@imma5761]

​@@PhilSophia-ox7ephe leaked it because promotion itself didnt announce it yet lmao Go support small hats little bit more

[@danielberry4765]

Oh my god. That play by play commentary of the Real vs City game was excruciating.

[@hamzaura7]

Did not expect to click on this video and get Ariel commentating on the champions league penalty kicks But I am ALL HERE FOR IT 😂🔥 Love it Ariel you're the man 50:37

[@user-rt8ik1ow4i]

Nope,wasn't a fumble

[@diegoaguayo5707]

It was lame though

[@plain-bagel]

It's hard to imagine a more uninspired way to announce one of the biggest fights of the year.

[@TMoney76]

@@plain-bagelboth fighters had already announced the date in an unofficial sense, so the shine was already gone. Blame them, not Dana.

[@mr.brooks7773]

No Ariel...you just enjoy reaching.

[@Nabs1980]

As he always does then gets surprised when someone calls him out. Smdh!

[@shroomgod1990]

Dana must’ love announcing fights and then seeing Ariel upset about it

[@FightSportTalk]

@@Nabs1980 and he plays victim immediately.

[@Darther659]

No way did the UFC fumble that announcement, we all knew it was coming. No other fighter gets a cheer from the media room when a fight is announced. Conor has exceeded needing any build up on the announcement haha

[@Jamesfrancosdog]

Uhh.. Conor literally announced the fight on NYE, and Dana literally lied about it. That’s a fumble.

[@Darther659]

@Jamesfrancosdog Dana lies so much that it's not important. We've known the fight was gonna happen since TUF. I'm just saying the fight doesn't need some crazy official announcement so it's hardly a big deal or fumble. Bringing it up after one of the best PPVs ever isn't the worst move.

[@juliaarambula3153]

It wasn’t a fumble. It’s Dana’s UFC. Conor has been inactive and the UFC is doing great without him.

[@plain-bagel]

This level of narcissism from Dana actually sounds about right.

[@Skip-pv5lw]

Yeah- big Dana fan, but I think this is it. Plus, that contract doesn’t have too many fights left on it.

[@nimmha6708]

Just give Conor some Proper12.. And let Chandler drive by in a bus... Promo done.

[@koalawithchaingun53]

"What does that mean speedrunning" lmao

[@nogrrllikeme]

Nobody is Bigger than the Company.

[@thenotorious1785]

U sure about that

[@nimmha6708]

At this level it's even beyond the company... It's just one pillar of their cashflow.. the "keep the money moving" idea.. But a star like Conor, is probably a whole seperate pillar. Dana could have deals with Conor that go beyond fighting MMA in the UFC. From movies to boxing matches a la Floyd..

[@nogrrllikeme]

@@thenotorious1785 are you?

[@nogrrllikeme]

@@nimmha6708 cool story bro

[@DoubleMKGaming]

Dana is bigger than the company, specially in his own mind. Plus McNuggets of course, bcz of uncle Dana..

[@reallyharsh]

ready for jiri vs alex 2

[@TonyTinker-hc3zq]

Noooo. I want Alex vs Tom!

[@jamiefugazi6974]

Jiri throws way too wild to ever beat Alex. I love Jiri though, Alex just has that kill power.

[@jamiefugazi6974]

@@TonyTinker-hc3zq Huh? Tom would just sit on Alex's face lol. No way Alex can take Tom.

[@danielberry4765]

Amanda Nunes didn’t retire early. She beat every relevant fighter.

[@nimmha6708]

All of you do know, there will be like 400 different trailers, breakdowns of conor's old fights compared to chandlers old fights.. 200 embedded episodes, a whole throwback show about TUF.. A whole marathon on UFC's KZbin channel AFTER EACH upload running up to the event etc etc. They won't fumble nothing.

[@nimmha6708]

And how f'd up would it be, after THAT card, to just shift the focus away from Pereira and Holloway and drop it on Conor instead, while the event isn't even fully over yet.

[@unsub6737]

This criticism or complaint is like the one about the initial UFC 300 poster that was plain, as if there weren't several other posters & promos for UFC 300 with all the champions, stars & legends. How big a diffference did it make that there was one plain initial poster that the "professional" critics disliked?

[@FightSportTalk]

A lot of people just enjoy complaining and want to just for the hell of it. Helwani is one of them.

[@drewfromyay882]

Don't be a UFC shill. It was a weak ass poster that everyone mocked. I didn't even pay attention to what "professional critics" were saying, everyone was criticizing it. They literally just used a stock photo of a flag and slapped a crappy font on it.

[@Tims_Gym]

The fact it’s the headline of this video proves it wasn’t fumbled as it got more attention then a video would by all the talk of how it was done.

[@ninjawangell]

Conor already made an entire movie and has Hollywood behind him to power his return. All he needed was a simple date confirmation, which is what Dana did.

[@bartholomewgreatpants3425]

Ya gotta love how ariel and other dudes that talk into a mic for a living talk down to us from their ivory towers about how stressful it is to break news and talk into a mic when there's guys breaking their backs to keep the country functional just to skate by week to week. Irony.

[@josiericaro3347]

I assumed they must have agreed to terms with Connor during ufc 300 or maybe a night before . Why else would they not announce it during 300 with great video package

[@shawnhoggard7934]

Is Connor nearing the end of his contract? Perhaps UFC feel he isn't going to resign and don't want to promote him?

[@jamiefugazi6974]

Conor will gas out on the walk out and snap his other leg.

[@nickvtguitar546]

It seemed deliberately low key to demonstrate how big a deal Max and the other stars already are

[@topcat9350]

Don’t think they made a big deal about McGregor comeback just in case it doesn’t happen

[@JodyMoore-pz7dr]

Chandler will beat him easily. And yep just passing a note was pretty lame. Could have done a promo, they’ve had enough time

[@jamiefugazi6974]

Cause Connor can pull out at any time and probably will. Dana's letting Conor know, we don't need you any more. Stop drinking, stop the drugs and train.

[@imma5761]

​@@jamiefugazi6974khabub has pulled 5 different times. Conor has NEVER pulled out, not even a single time

[@FirearmFinesse.]

I feel like it's too soon to out him against Aspinall. Reason being is you'll be temporarily killing off some of the momentum one of your biggest stars (Considering they both are the top 2 in their perspective weight classes).

[@michaeljett5097]

Maybe one day Ariel will tell everyone how Dana put his hands on him.. 🤫

[@robertsaladino]

Best card in recent memory, and this is what Ariel focuses on...

[@Aqua_Holic_Fishing]

Bring Ric and GC in while you head out.....

[@GregK97]

Always complaining about something with the UFC, the initial 300 poster, McGregor's return announcement, etc. ya'll always end up looking silly lol

[@mugshotmarley]

Hard to make the announcement a big thing when you got journalists looking to break the story before the UFC does.

[@Priestwhitelotus]

Conor's being promoted accordingly. This isn't 2016 McGregor. Conor's a celebrity now who runs multiple businesses. Fighting was his passion but now it's this rich man's hobby. You don't put the machine behind that. The UFC has to move forward. The new crop is emerging.

[@danielberry4765]

The UFC is going to put the machine behind Conor and his fight. They’ve had one (Chandler) of their most popular fighters on ice waiting for it.

[@GregK97]

Ariel spent way too long on question 5, nobody gives af how it was announced lmao

[@biglollol]

I legit cba bout Conor anymore. If he fights, fine. If he doesn't, also fine. I got my eyes on other exciting fighters now.

[@johnno8586]

You're going to watch a McGregor Main Event and you know it.

[@biglollol]

@@johnno8586 Like I said, and I'll quote myself again for your little pea brain to try grasp it again: _"If he fights, fine. If he doesn't, also fine."_

[@johnno8586]

@@biglollol You ignored your last sentence for a reason bozo

[@andrewharrington4221]

Colby Covington vs. Ian Garry as the co-main for 303 is a good idea. But hopefully if that happens it’s 5 rounds.

[@reggierodriguez5685]

Why because they announced it without giving Ariel a chance to ruin it first? 😂

[@MichaelCronan49]

10000% fumbled. The biggest star coming back and they didn't even cut a promo during their biggest event? Madness

[@neodeane3327]

Much respect to UFC, they do announcements however they want and they don't care who gets irritated by that... 😂

[@shroomgod1990]

The way Dana did announce the Conor fight makes me think Conor is not going to chandler. It’s just for promotion. Connor will pull out force and Chandler to fight the back up. Now, the next question is who you think the back up fighter is going to be?

[@Beatsandmma]

It's been great watching this channels. Views slowly go down and down and down

[@AcidGlow]

The announcement was just o a piece of paper. I was expecting a trailer, ah well.

[@David-xh9cw]

What's the trailer? Hype job on a 10 loss skid returns doped up to the eyeballs to take on the only person who'll fight him. I'd love to see that one.

[@Overtime719]

What is with the insane increase in hate comments to Helwani? I don’t understand. These are just questions and answers people, relax.

[@shroomgod1990]

He’s a drama weasel. And this whole Conor announcement is all about him 😂

[@camvick407]

This segment is an energy vacuum

[@plain-bagel]

5:36 Is that not exactly what a Colby fan would ask? lmao

[@Niko-us5wu]

are those viewership numbers only based in america?

[@JPW328]

Dana white basically confirmed Conor resigned a new deal. “Listen Conor is going to be with us for life, fighting and afterwards”

[@xp_xannypacquiao]

I thought it was hilarious when Dana paused and smiled like he intentionally pooped his pants, only for the reporters to be like “cool that should have been announced months ago”

[@hitmandot]

Bro every clip I see of Ariel is him hating on the UFC

[@allybaapp1053]

it's obvious why they announced Conor fight the way they did.. Among other things, three reasons would be: A: Schaub already broke it, and Dana hates Schaub. B: Conor already broke it, and Dana hates when people break it before the UFC C: It's a diss to Conor for his slow assd negotiations, showing everyone exactly who is Daddy

[@yanrobertson2247]

When did GC go from looking like Christian Ericsson to looking like Guram 😂

[@MainCardMinute]

I don't think they fumbled it I think they just know the state of Conor and don't want to oversell it when this is probably his last fight and he'll probably look terrible

[@TheCoyote25]

It was smart to leak the news of a big announcement before 300. It was classy to wait until the post fight presser to announce it.. The post fight presser is wildly popular with Dana's summation of each event. Announcing it there allows perspective on the Conner event - it's back page news (connor vs. chandler is an oldtimers circuit event) but done with plenty of eyes and directly to journalists. I just think the world of UFC is so much bigger than that underwhelming event will be. Sure, it will draw some eyes, but unless they choreograph the fight it will look like exaclty what it is, a fun oldtimers event. Cheeey and fun. The way it was announced was consistent and feels correct. Also, connor has much more momentum now that his acting was successful, the ufc doesn't need to go out of the way to promote it. The ufc and connor are in good terms, never have they not, this isn't negotiation or posturing by dana, more of a 'mac doesn't need any help to sell moment' the guy had a huge role in a fun and successful movie his fighting is personal at this point.

[@Beeydb163]

UFC is so big now that they can afford to announce huge fights on a piece of paper. It's that simple lol every MMA fan will be watching.

[@MinutesofMuscle]

Max Holloway Vs Kayla Harrison next

[@einfachpaz310]

I love Connor for the jersey. 💛💛🖤🖤💛💛

[@katelyn9182]

I agree with the person who asked about the pushback with Dustin. I’m a fan of his but in no way does he deserve the title fight.

[@Kbzzle]

They didn't mess it up, we just really dont care anymore.

[@CamerasWATCHme]

Damn there is nothing much to report anymore. I miss the MMA Fanhouse ZUFFA era 😮‍💨😭

[@dustinrobinson58]

3 guys saying the best promoter on the planet isn’t promoting to their standards.😂

[@omaranees7022]

Ariel please interview Khabib :)

[@JaySethi94]

Man this episode was brutal

[@HS-oh8xh]

They keep getting worse and worse

[@CJM23]

Conor already announced that exact date in January. Dana just confirmed it. But this is ironic coming from you Ariel.

[@kennyemm5982]

How was its it fumbled when you are all talking about it

[@orcanimal]

The hypocrisy of Dana White knows no bound. After all the havoc he raised over Ariel tweeting about Brock coming back all those years ago, with the excuse that it should be a grand announcement etc. To then have Dana so unceremoniously announce Conor/Chandler, just because they know Conor's on his last 2 fights and they don't want to give him any leverage in the negotiations, that's some new record for duplicity

[@nathanpina6106]

I get really happy when I see people lose money gambling 😂

[@twuandixon8675]

Ariel with the perpetual UFC hate after screeching at fighters that he doesnt do it ANY and every opportunity 😂

[@brandonblack5910]

Lol Ariel remember back to UFC 200 how did the lesner fight get announced?

[@iamfishmind]

30k views, 150 comments; commenters always have an axe to grind.

[@joshywhvick]

The fact journalist have to make a comment on the announcement of a fight is the day we know the journalists need the ufc more than the ufc need journalists. Slow day at the office was it? Come on….it got announced who cares how it got announced. Journalists always expect more and are never happy; keeps them in business I guess, making crappy takes like this.

[@tommyq374]

Ariel: maybe alittle play by play of the football Me: lets not

[@ramonbriones4487]

8:07 that same mindset Ariel is the same mindset dana has for u.

[@jesseytizapa734]

Ariel you just wanted to spoil it. Just like you thought you told everybody Alex is not fighting at 301

[@joeyv6027]

Figgy vs petr would be a good match up

[@badcanada]

Hey TheWealse, I like your perspective! I agree that letting the ref do their job ends the debate about any unfair interruptions during the fight. Also, we can't blame Hill's performance on that. MMA is its own sport, focusing on fighter safety while keeping outside interference minimal. That's exactly what happened here. It's unfortunate no one's acknowledging how well Herb Dean handled the situation. As for the other arguments, the fight's outcome boils down to a big gap in skills, especially in positioning and striking. Maybe one fighter underestimated the other and let it affect their performance.

[@dennispace8088]

A big yes even Dana knew it

[@J-Sto13]

GC - “No I was cheering for Real Madrid” 😂😂😂😂

[@Matysek88]

Islam was not offered a Gamrot fight afaik. That's an old ass clip on twitter with Dana talking about Makhachev vs RDA

[@syedfawaz8090]

Ariel the Snake upset UFC announced mcgregor's return before he could leak it

[@TheDogN8]

It’s Conor , doesn’t need to be a spectacle… he will make one himslef

[@Nozylatten]

nah they did what they wanted to do?

[@manonamissionpart2]

Ariel salty he didn’t get to announce it first

[@David-xh9cw]

No one: UFC and clueless part time fans: K0NOR'S B4CK!!111!!!!!!!!1111!! Literally no one else:

[@wolverinedz]

Why did JC shave his head???

[@user-yf1bj9hx8t]

Aspinall would absolutely destroy Alex. Not even close. If he gets him on the ground it’s over.

[@matthewtorres2562]

Bro when the ufc did organise an announcement, you literally ruined the announcement for brock

[@JoseGuzman-cj1is]

Yea it would have been better if Ariel leaked it lol

[@simonetate3158]

Weird bird 🤔 if he acts like this normally now. He's strange, and there's definitely something going on

[@sdelgado2187]

Why do they let GC have the first and sometimes only take? Not hating I like him fine, but he's just getting into the sport, right?

[@renegadeoffunk32]

It did seem strange to me that Dana would want all attention to be on 300, not drop the summer fight trailers during the event a la UFC 200, and then just decide to spitball during the post fight press conference. Dana, who is all about likes, and impressions, and trends....seemed like an awfully perplexing choice to me.

[@justinkyle5091]

What is the point in questioning whether your “friend” Chael should be considered a Hall of Famer or just in the Hall of fame? What difference does it matter? Why try to insinuate such implications to begin with? And he wonders why he has a “snake” rep in the MMA community...

[@tuffneggah]

hope hill and buckley end up with jacklyn and claire

[@abdulsadiq]

Ariel asking if Chael should be regarded as a hall of famer or not gives off massive friends-cringe. You're his boy ... celebrate him like DC did

[@JaySethi94]

The mma/wwe/soccer hour

[@olbapoli4074]

What fumble!?All we had in the last year is conors big comeback...the fans don't really care anymore. There is still doubt it happens. Dana announced it the best way tbh. Quick announcement done.

[@TheFireroom]

I think its gonna be the first fight conor pulls out of. And if not him Chandler will have bad luck and fumble the bag and someone else comes in

[@simonlee498]

Lol cause ufc would ban him for every event an dana would make it difficult for fighters that want to work with Ariel.. Ariel is the DJvlad of MMA

[@EdgarRodriguez-sz9ut]

Who me!😂

[@user-gd8bx9gc4g]

Mcgregor back is great

[@DoubleMKGaming]

Only thing going to be great about it, is seeing him lose another time, hopefully in a balloon kinda way..

[@bigleejam1]

They rushed it because of you and what you did with lesnar.

[@nickvtguitar546]

Who's the guy bottom right? He seems depressed