Ariel Helwani: No Jake Paul Beef, But He Has To Convince Fans He Cares About Fighters

Ariel weighs in on the rankings in light of Islam Makhachev and Aljamain Sterling's wins at UFC 280, the presence of Roman Kadyrov's son at the event and fighters' relationship to the Chechen dictator, Conor McGregor's recently revealed USADA status, his interview with AEW founder Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone's reaction to it, his relationship with Jake Paul after Paul's rip of Luke Rockhold, and more.
00:00:00 Intro to OTN
00:00:50 Q1 - Will Cejudo be next to fight Aljo? Will Ariel be invited to the next GC & Frank apartment watch party?
00:05:10 Q2 - Why aren’t more fighters gunning to become backup fighters?
00:06:24 Q3 - Mr. Rogers and the military
00:08:30 Q4 - Is UFC matchmaking based more on merit or entertainment?
00:10:22 Q5 - Was Aljamain pitted against TJ so he’d have a villain to get more fans on his side? What can he do become a bigger draw?
00:14:23 Q6 - If Arnold Allen gets a big win over Kattar, where does that leave him?
00:19:38 Q7 - How would you match up the Bantamweight top 10 plus Cejudo?
00:20:17 Q8 - Thoughts on where Islam has landed on the P4P list?
00:22:32 Q9 - Can you cut a Volk promo for the Aussie fans?
00:25:34 Q10 - Khamzat appearing at UFC 280 with Kadyrov’s son
00:33:23 Q11 - Fighters not being able to gamble on other fights, Cub Swanson, TJ
00:36:45 Q12 - Why UFC signed Hasbulla, and how Ariel would book Conor’s return and next 3 fights
00:40:27 Q13 - Is DC biased when he commentates on fighters who are his training partners/friends?
00:42:15 Q14 - Thoughts on World Cup being in Qatar, and has UFC been sportswashing?
00:48:36 Q15 - ONE FC hydration testing, and should other promotions follow their lead?
00:49:50 Q16 - How do you feel about Frankie Edgar’s retirement fight?
00:50:42 Q17 - Is today the best ara of combat sports ever?
00:52:30 Q18 - Is Jones v Ngannou going to happen during UFC 285?
00:53:26 Q19 - CM Punk’s legacy in wrestling, and what would Ariel do to get AEW back on track
00:59:09 Q20 - Will Jake Paul ever return on The MMA Hour?
01:02:30 Q21 - Halloween fighter name coincidences, and what is your favorite scary movie?
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00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:50 Q1 - Will Cejudo be next to fight Aljo? Will Ariel be invited to the next GC & Frank apartment watch party? 00:05:10 Q2 - Why aren’t more fighters gunning to become backup fighters? 00:06:24 Q3 - Mr. Rogers and the military 00:08:30 Q4 - Is UFC matchmaking based more on merit or entertainment? 00:10:22 Q5 - Was Aljamain pitted against TJ so he’d have a villain to get more fans on his side? What can he do become a bigger draw? 00:14:23 Q6 - If Arnold Allen gets a big win over Kattar, where does that leave him? 00:19:38 Q7 - How would you match up the Bantamweight top 10 plus Cejudo? 00:20:17 Q8 - Thoughts on where Islam has landed on the P4P list? 00:22:32 Q9 - Can you cut a Volk promo for the Aussie fans? 00:25:34 Q10 - Khamzat appearing at UFC 280 with Kadyrov’s son 00:33:23 Q11 - Fighters not being able to gamble on other fights, Cub Swanson, TJ 00:36:45 Q12 - Why UFC signed Hasbulla, and how Ariel would book Conor’s return and next 3 fights 00:40:27 Q13 - Is DC biased when he commentates on fighters who are his training partners/friends? 00:42:15 Q14 - Thoughts on World Cup being in Qatar, and has UFC been sportswashing? 00:48:36 Q15 - ONE FC hydration testing, and should other promotions follow their lead? 00:49:50 Q16 - How do you feel about Frankie Edgar’s retirement fight? 00:50:42 Q17 - Is today the best ara of combat sports ever? 00:52:30 Q18 - Is Jones v Ngannou going to happen during UFC 285? 00:53:26 Q19 - CM Punk’s legacy in wrestling, and what would Ariel do to get AEW back on track 00:59:09 Q20 - Will Jake Paul ever return on The MMA Hour? 01:02:30 Q21 - Halloween fighter name coincidences, and what is your favorite scary movie?

[@iceKOId]

26:00 best part of the show 😊

[@iceKOId]

DC is not great at his job. He treats the commentary like a podcast and does zero research

[@HER0121]

Thanks for adding these 👍🏾

[@mak11t]

Thank you for adding the time stamps

[@ybpmma]

helwani leveling up

[@devadasn]

It’s crazy how fans think Paul legit cares about fighter pay. He’s clearly trying to make Dana look bad. He made a music video about him, I mean come on 😂. If you think he cares about fighter pay I have a bridge to sell you

[@jvike4584]

It’s hilarious isn’t it… Some social media guy that’s popular says a few things and he is immediately for the fighters. While Dana built a business for fighters, making them more money than they ever imagined, and he is the dirt bag… Most people are stupid unfortunately, having the majority behind you is now a negative thing, sheep hear that feed drop and run to the fences 😂

[@AntonioAE86]

An enemy of my enemies is a friend of mine…

[@dlp2600]

Ariel believes so I guess the world should just automatically do so because be says so. It's all BS only a fool would buy into this but it's Ariel so what do you expect.

[@AndrewVera23]

@@dlp2600 50 plus comments so seems you’re a fool

[@theoutsiderjess4869]

Who cares if he cares or not as long as these fighters actually get the payday they deserve

[@joshsigala53]

Jake lost me when he disrespected Luke after that legendary fight. Exposed himself as a fraud.

[@mustaquimahmedtanbeer2437]

Luke rockhold ?

[@augmentos]

The jumping cameras at the start is not clever. Its absolutely terrible and makes me not want to watch.

[@jarnold1789]

Goddamn that was bad. These guys should watch an episode of YMH to see how it’s done. Take a lesson from the booth boys

[@mrspiff6955]

Don’t watch then

[@jimmygarza5055]

Same!!! Hated hated it. Was about to turn it off.

[@jawee6144]

It was low key seizure inducing 😂

[@jeepz669]

Ariel ain't afraid of NO beef! 🥊

[@amykushcol]

Almost missed this OTN since it wasn’t specifically labeled as an On the Nose episode.

[@1BurgHoldTheBurg]

The complete lack of respect Jake gave Costa and Rockhold in that Twitter argument with Helwani after that fight tells me he only cares about fighters when they can get him clout or make him money.

[@Ronycoolman00]

'Hello, happy birthday' Had me dying man 😂😂😂

[@notfrom63rd6]

Why the f does it matter if Jake cares about fighters ? Wtf those fighters don't care about him they don't care about each other this isn't important. He's just trying to shine a light on how badly ufc non champions are getting paid. Which he has a point. People leave ufc and make more money that's a fact.

[@theoutsiderjess4869]

Yeah the same exact thing I thought the reason they say he doesn't care is stupid as well Jake never brought up the bigger names but the smaller names

[@Tupac6780]

Fact? Why do they stay here after their contract ends? and if they're not champs

[@notfrom63rd6]

@@Tupac6780 everybody that leaves the ufc makes more money

[@Tupac6780]

@@notfrom63rd6 😅

[@awi9053]

UFC rankings = popularity and who is more marketable it's such a joke

[@BarkingShark]

The switch up is funny considering the praise Ariel has been giving to Jake for this same thing (bringing attention to fighter pay among other things), bizarre he believed that for so long.

[@MrJphoto1]

You could say he was just making a point that a non MMA fighter has more to say about it all

[@franz_outside]

Great Hasbulla impression Ariel 👏

[@stilly1364]

Love the brendan burn lol

[@eddieflores7509]

I've walked the strees of Quatar. It's a beautiful place. I am a 12yr Combat Veteran, a Christian, from Texas. It's a beautiful place. I jetskied their in their Gulf. I got to go their on an R&R reat and relaxation while deployed to Iraq for 18mths.

[@damonandrade5033]

Hey Ariel. My name is Damon am huge fan of the show. Please keep up the good content. My question. U think Henry or Sugar Sean should get next title shot?

[@iceKOId]

26:00 best question

[@telwingeorge]

More weight classes don't fix weight cutting.. fighters may infact try to cut further

[@aedankelley5406]

how is no one talking about that promo cut by heelwani, talking about how volk has that dog in him mentioning the meme where there pit bulls in lungs

[@KnuxDeluxe]

no pose in the nose, no pout in the snout... We love you here in Aus Ariel... Go Volk!

[@noicemate9111]

Every comment is about this man’s nose lmao

[@brendondowdy5651]

The issue with the long winning streak guys are they almost never have wins against top guys.

[@eddieflores7509]

You are legit Ariel

[@steelob5693]

Ariel you should come up with your own rankings.and everyone would go by it.

[@iianmitchelldub]

That volk promo was pretty nasty! Well said

[@libertarianpunk8558]

The thumbnail looks like Jake was a guest when he was not

[@digitalcomplexity]

I agree Arial regarding Volkanofski however I must say Islam will be Volkanofskis tuffest test you better believe that.... 💪 🔥 🏆

[@langtosh]

Love the Volk promo👌🏽

[@zeuqramy]

Man I’d love to work for Ariel for real

[@firstbradley3281]

Appreciate what Paul is doing for fighter pay and also female boxing. I think it gets overshadowed by his antics. Honestly it’s going to take some time to gage if he is truly into it.

[@KnownProphet]

Dont even give Merab a fight vs. a top fighter period. What's the point with Sterling as Champ ?!? Hes doing nothing but taking someone else's well deserved spot ffs.

[@slicvm]

Bring back Rick's Picks so I can just listen to the intro

[@theglovegame]

Ariel was on top of his game on this one! A++!

[@OngoGablogian-ku8xn]

The hell is wrong with camera I am gonna puke

[@WhiteMousse1980]

Frank you had one job

[@murdersaab8999]

Ariel I expect more from you man I just Google Mr Rogers the first thing that popped up was that that was all false news you do not report false news get it together man LOL much respect to you you the man still even though you reported Mr Rogers fought in the military

[@southsidemilly414]

He was referencing a brenden Shaub clip lmao u missed the joke

[@ArabCapitano]

Kadyrov is a top G

[@YearsOVDecay1]

I cannot believe Ariel actually believed that old wives tale about Mr Rogers. Conor v Tony would be perfect..but Conor is done he's never winning a title or any higher level fight again

[@steelob5693]

I want to see chandler vs bo nickels at 185

[@JABpenta]

58 minutes backhanded diss. Wow heelwani is real

[@iamfishmind]

29:00 yeah I think the line should definitely be drawn somewhere before mass-murderer and torturer Kadyrov. if not there, then there is no line. it's a tough subject to talk about if you're as unscrupulous as the terrible Dana White. 34:00 who are you trying to protect, *bookies?* really?

[@steelob5693]

Volkonavski vs chandler 155lbs who wins

[@astheskylarksings]

I swear Ariel is shadow banned. His videos are never recommended to me. Sometimes I forget about him and have to end up manually searching for his content

[@rossboss9988]

I knew u were scared of him when u didn’t show up to the press conference lmao couldn’t even put aside a small beef to literally do your job 😂 u do great work Ariel, u won’t get meme’d don’t worry man like jeeeez. Luke Rockhold was on the way out anyway, I know it’s a respect for legend thing but don’t get mad at someone’s opinion. Not your problem my man. Love the show.

[@aa1sul46]

I demand u change the nose on top right of the screen to Ariel’s nose!

[@David-oy6ck]

6:57 🫠

[@eastcoasttaffy74]

Hasbulla is played out fasho

[@brendondowdy5651]

Ariel the reason it doesn't work in the nfl is because the ir report. Teams have to disclose injuries and the risk reward is so minimal. Recently blanking on his name receiver bet like $1500 and forfeited 10m in salary

[@champhugeballs1562]

How can you say the rematch with yan washing close when four rounds were clear round two and three for Sterling and around four and 5 for yan, round one was a tossup

[@lovefist86]

Stop calling old things og. OG means original gangsta. How the hell does that work with a favorite movie? Anyway, didn't know the Anderson Silva October fight ratio. Pretty cool.

[@Brandnewshoes]

Dude is a war criminal. Ariel, don't tip toe around it. Lukewarm asf. It's not a tough subject to talk about it.

[@derektaylor1847]

Worst possible promo for volk… we need a reboot. He deserves better.

[@eddieflores7509]

DC is legit

[@OrlandoH1]

Cowardly response about Ramzan. Say it with your chest dont be afraid.

[@GLOBAL-INTIFADA]

Yeah he's a flop supports Israel but someone can't hang out with a leaders kid who cares whos someone's father shouldn't matter at all especially when you support a apartheid state

[@oldmedia4091]

He stand on it too much given his own political affiliations...

[@Vikn01]

"How could we not have Leon above Kamaru?" I mean...the nature of that win kind of makes it self evident. Don't get me wrong, I was SO HAPPY for Leon when he got the victory...even moreso due to the dramatic nature of it. He really lived up to his (nick)name sake. As an aside, I fully admit and own being a bandwagon Leon fan. I counted him out HARD...I didn't dislike him at all and I agreed he got a raw deal, I just didnt think he did much to stand out. I can't control who is and isnt memorable. But, while I get that "you beat someone, you take their spot" and I agree that it should be the basis for ranking changes...there should never be hardline ruling for something so nebulous. "Winning a fight" sounds like a binary with two options, win or lose. But in reality, it obviously isn't. There are so many ways to win and lose a fight and oftentimes the winner isn't clearly the better fighter...which I know doesn't need to be said, but in relation to the rankings I doubt it hurts to bring it up. Just as Leon being technically ranked behind Kamaru in the p4p rankings does make sense, I also disagree that Suga was moved ahead of Yan. Everyone talks about how Aljo is getting a raw deal (and I'm an aljo fan, although that waned after Yan 1, it came back watching his fight analysis), but why isn't anyone remarking on the raw deal Yan has gotten? Whoever you think won yan aljo 2, denying that it was RAZOR thin is absurd. So yan has THREE loses in row...none of which felt like he was beaten by someone you could say was certainly a better fighter! Idk how he has maintained his composure, honestly. It feels like he has been screwed to no end. I still think it's easily arguable he's the best fighter at bantamweight and yet he has been through 3 loses. Also, my feeling empathy doesn't mean I think he's blameless for the knee, that Aljo should've lost or that Suga didn't win (well, I do think 1 of 3...). Feeling sorry for Yan, who I do think is probably the best at bantamweight, maybe top 3 instead, isnt mutually exclusive with being an Aljo fan or understanding the reasoning.

[@TMoney76]

Very well articulated.

[@lebraa]

Alex is going to be the hardest fight in the entirety of islams career

[@eddieflores7509]

Whistle blowers police it...

[@steelob5693]

We think Dana white doesn't like u?

[@cog12594]

Ariel is just trying not to drop the bag, so he entertains this Jake Paul nonsense as a result.

[@eddieflores7509]

Tysons Christian walk with the Lord wouldn't allow him to profit in such a manner along with Ramzan. It's God amending peace ✌️ 🙏⛪️ Let's pray for them all

[@kingjonbarnardt2974]

Mr Rogers inside joke 😂😂😂

[@brendondowdy5651]

DC is so biased it ridiculous

[@Rspit030]

Suga should get a shot

[@blingblah5304]

Ariel talks so much extra BS

[@steelob5693]

Helawi vs Jake paul.$10mill on the Table

[@jimmygarza5055]

I think Aljo doesn't seem genuine. Everything seems like a money grab and it's obvious he's trying to sell whatever he's doing. People like Chael get away with it cause he's funny and charming. It's not hate. Just don't care for him

[@mrspiff6955]

Ok

[@IngeniousReaper]

@@mrspiff6955 ok

[@casperinudadalen]

"its a touchy subject" - it is maybe for you? Because your careers depends on the fighters you are speaking about :D Its a very simple subject - If you want to fly with the eagles, don't swim with the ducks. Your associations also describe you... I really thought that you guys had more balls then this. This is sad, haha!

[@oldmedia4091]

It's just absurd to me that Ariel is sitting on his high horse condemning the UFC for any type of relation to Kadyrov and mentioning the WWE deal with Saudi Arabia and how much he's against Saudi while at the same time being a staunch Isr-ael supporter which conducts Apartheid/Child mu-rder on the palestinians daily. If you're sitting in a glass house you shouldn't throw stones Mr Helwani.

[@GlasshouseaquaticsGHA]

All jokes aside… and may I add I am a huge ufc fan. Haven’t missed a small or big card in years. I must say I don’t get why we are entertaining Volk and Islam. It was rather glaringly obvious Islam would beat Charles, given he’s been nearly finished 3 times in a row against, yes tough competition.. but those 3 guys can’t wrestle themselves out a paper bag…. WE REALLY THINK VOLK CAN WIN AGAINST ISLAM…. My gosh, mma fans will buy up anything. No chance, first round sub. Please see me later as this comment ages like fine wine. NO CHANCE

[@GlasshouseaquaticsGHA]

Ill also add that I guarantee islams stand up much more dangerous than ortegas and I also guarantee islams grappling and mma wrestling is a lot better than Ortegas… I mean cmon

[@GLOBAL-INTIFADA]

@@GlasshouseaquaticsGHA for sure it's worse than Ortega I think Islam wins to but think it's going to be way more competitive than your saying you's act like Islam can't be hit or can't be defended

[@Ronycoolman00]

No ones coming back here to entertain you 😂 get a life

[@stevencoardvenice]

They're gonna put cejudo vs Aljo on the same card, so it will be worth it

[@greaterfoopodcast8861]

🥊 Jake or Silva? Comment below 👇

[@devadasn]

No

[@shankarsharma5467]

Jake 💪

[@deeez3606]

Question 10 was lame. Not why I listen to MMA shows

[@GLOBAL-INTIFADA]

So it's ok to praise Israel etc but khamzat cant hang out with someone's son? Who cares whos he's dad is

[@jawee6144]

🍩

[@oldmedia4091]

exactly, the hypocrisy is insane with that one. Talking about saudi is the last place I'll take a plane too while supporting the new Na-zi order.

[@GLOBAL-INTIFADA]

@@oldmedia4091 yeah lmao he's a hypocrite badly but If anyone says that your a anti semite and didn't you know about the holocaust lol

[@benlecluyse]

😆

[@bigoleboy8578]

volk gonna tap

[@ethanross3157]

Brendan Schaub is his source lol

[@stevencoardvenice]

I want kadyrov to make more appearances just because it triggers shiitlibs and neocons

[@ArabCapitano]

Since Ariel likes bringing up politics on the show, why not talk about Palestine? Oh wait I know why......

[@michaelsmyth6557]

Ariel, are you an Arab?

[@MrTmac2023]

are you serious ariel? youre a professional. how can you say "i dont understand how leon isnt above usman?" look at usmans run as champion opponents and defenses.. Look at how he dominated leon from start to finish - until one lucky kick. even leon himself knows he's losing that rematch. lol

[@jarnold1789]

Look at how O’Malley just jumped the line and took Yan’s place as the #1 contender at bantamweight. It’s not entirely unreasonable to assume that the guy that beat Usman should take his place in the PFP rankings. I don’t agree necessarily but it’s not that crazy. Also, it depends on how you define what pound-for-pound best even means All that aside, stop being salty about Usman getting his head kicked into the nosebleeds. It happened. It wasn’t luck. Get over it

[@MixtapeAssassin]

Leon won rd1, so not quite start to finish domination, also lucky kick? Or set up well by not throwing it much if at all, for the entire bout...then had a beautiful feint game and gave him the same side kick after the left hand had usman unaware of the kick which made it worse. So you can say lucky , its dumb af not true at all, and sounds like someone who is really butthurt would say ... but you can't say he was dominated start to finish, because thats simply untrue, by both the official scoring in which all 3 judges gave rd1 toLeon, ooooppss, as well as anyone who watched ... maybe you didn't watch the fight? Sure sounds like

[@MrTmac2023]

@@MixtapeAssassin 1/5 sounds like domination to me. i didnt say perfect. relax

[@labboyztv]

There's no such thing as a lucky kick

[@MrTmac2023]

@@labboyztv then i guess leon will have a ton of defenses ect by your call. (i dont see it)

[@rspct9654]

Thanks for finally admitting it Ariel. You will always root against Khabib and the Dagestani fighters because of their geopolitical affiliations. Thank you for being confident enough to admit it live on air.

[@dlp2600]

Ariel do yourself a favor stick to being an MMA reporter not political hack. You bringing up the son of Russian figure. So you automatically lump his son into category like he some bad person all this mumbo jumbo about feeling uncomfortable. Oh this fighter took a picture that person took a picture it's crazy. Stop it you so judgemental it's insane.

[@Highsen]

Instead of pound for pound, they should just call it the DBZ rankings. Little dudes beat up big dudes all the time in dbz

[@braintwirl]

I find myself tuning out at the very beginning whenever I watch the show instead of just listen. Why? Because of the SUPER annoying fast paced camera angle change sequence during the intro. WTF!? It’s like a strobe light. Please stop. Thank you.

[@shadowbannedmgtowman9045]

Why don’t he bring mighty mouse back…hmmm

[@shadowbannedmgtowman9045]

He’s cares about money…the Carib FB about fighter is just his leg up to get in the door

[@leehess6335]

Definitely I think Sean O’Malley and Chito Alvaro they definitely need a rematch because Sean pretty much got Rob for that fight I know it wasn’t his fault but I really think Sean would definitely finish Chino Albert I don’t think he would put him to sleep👍👍👍👍👍👍💪💪💪💪💪💪🦾🦾🦾🦾🦾👊👊👊👊👊