Ariel Helwani: What’s Next for PFL and Bellator? | The MMA Hour

In the latest On the Nose, Ariel Helwani discusses Tom Aspinall’s future, the best post-fight speeches, what PFL may do with Bellator, the possibility of future live shows, any updates of Nate Diaz, Draymond Green’s rear-naked choke, and more.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:04 What will it take for Aspinall to become the GOAT?
00:03:43 Workaround for Steve-O’s ESPN+ issue
00:05:20 Pereira’s post fight speech at Izzy
00:09:26 With the end of Bellator, how do you feel?
00:17:55 Which 90s hip hop artist would you have on the show?
00:19:59 Glory, Rizin are no joke, and giving slack to refs
00:22:43 Any plans to take the show on the road?
00:24:08 Independent MMA Hall of Fame
00:26:41 Any update on Nate Diaz?
00:27:05 Has an NBA player ever tried crossing over into MMA?
00:30:48 Would you have Anthony Keidis in studio?
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[@tjokada]

Damn. No mention of Chael’s post fight speech? “Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck!”

[@andrewbuckman7169]

Was thinking the same thing

[@floatinggoose9197]

He's Mad at Chael RN

[@samuellopez582]

Yeah he’s still pissed at uncle Chael

[@davidfleming6565]

Probably one of the best call outs… Ariel mad mad

[@zidane9958]

Chael Sonnen took the UFC belt to a candlelit dinner, hoping to spark a romantic connection. They enjoyed a delightful meal. Swept away by the allure of the night, Sonnen escorted the championship belt to its home. At the doorstep, eager for a romantic finale and with a twinkle in his eyes, he mustered the courage to ask for a kiss. However, the belt, playing hard to get, hit Chael with a firm, "Let's just be friends." Adding to the complexity, the drunk and coked-up Jon Jones entered the scene, and the belt seemed more than willing to let Jon demonstrate his submission skills, allowing him inside the house. Despite being friendzoned by the UFC belt, Sonnen pleaded for entrance and the chance to watch. The belt, feeling a bit compassionate, allowed Chael to sit on a chair, quietly observing from the sidelines. So there Chael sat, in the corner of the bedroom, a hopeful spectator in his own romantic saga, watching Jon Jones smoothly submit the belt repeatedly. In an unexpected turn of events, the champions Francis Ngannou and Anderson Silva joined the octagonal love affair. The UFC belt, feeling generous, invited them to showcase their ground-and-pound. After three intense, sweat-drenched hours, Chael Sonnen, still sitting in his spectator chair, couldn't resist his hopeful daydreams. He envisioned himself cleaning up the aftermath, realizing, with a salty taste in his mouth, this was the only way he could come close to the UFC belt.

[@closinginonclosure]

6:47 "Cuz he never actually said Izzy's name" 🤔 Yes, he definitely did. He said " Hey Adesanya"

[@mindblown42069]

Chael " Anderson silva you absolutely suck" post fight was brilliant XD

[@TopShelfFandomVids]

Really annoying to talk over the whole intro . One or the other brother

[@joshreilly4698]

I appreciate Dana contender series. Gives a sharp eye to, who's not signed.

[@casualmmafan4258]

Espm, belabor? Sort your time stamps out 😂😂 anyone would think this is the weighing in podcast!

[@RetroDayOfficial]

I always figured Ariel as a Menudo or Jackson 5 fan. Guess not.

[@10pmmemes88]

UFC is the top dog because they are experts at creating storylines and characters. PFL and Bellator will both fail unless they start building superstars.

[@jm12green31]

No they just have more money and resources

[@psychologycited4211]

I agree. As much as we can complain about the weird chop and changing of the rankings, it really is a popularity contest and its one of many reasons why they're able to create these narratives for fighters and create stars in the sport. We love a meritocracy in sport and PFL's format is unique BUT that format doesn't allow them to fast forward careers of popular fighters like the UFC.

[@celtic69]

UFC are top dogs because they broke the US market first and bought out all the competition, get Dana’s boot out of your mouth.

[@markot3861]

@@jm12green31 that is incorrect, you obviously have no idea who owns them

[@nikelombambo]

Ariel you forgot: "Look at me now!! Head shot dead!!", Leon Edwards..

[@WowDood1337]

Ariel vs Schaub for UFC 300

[@mattm8098]

Who did the time stamps lol ESPM+ and Belabor 😂

[@Tvyoutubeacc]

Travis Barker even has an interview with Karynt Bryant in 2011. Thats how much of a real MMA fan he is. He loves the sports even before it became mainstream.

[@olivergosling3668]

We definitely need a “guess that tune” with Ariel! 😂

[@Joseph-lk9pf]

That's obvious with typing in prelims. lol that's the first thing I did when I got the app

[@jm12green31]

Yeah shout out to the blood money over in Saudi

[@MoSuli96]

Oil money is blood money now?

[@bawbawbalcksheep]

32:52 that's the Barenaked ladies 🇨🇦

[@carldavies3193]

Imagine still listening to Ariel's opinions. There are more options now than there were in 2015

[@jm12green31]

Yet you are here in the comments whining

[@datguyplaygrounds6749]

Bud no one is forcing you to watch

[@ZPSBestProfileName]

Give me some recommendations

[@500TD500]

@Chadking-sx3brnot defending just stating facts like you who is slow

[@cookedondacouch791]

Imagine still clicking Ariel's videos to say some buster ish like that. Your the definition of a cornball😂

[@nocmmahun]

Eblen, Mckee, Amosov, Mix and the other big names i think goes to UFC. The only exception if PFL gives them a gigantic contract.

[@PineappAlSauce]

They both messed up the Bare Naked Ladies reference 😂 I think they’re from Canada too

[@mattm8098]

PFL should definitely shut down Bellator and bring over the top 70% of the roster and then run shows weekly in competition to UFC. They can air on fridays , or if they really wanna be petty air on sundays to try to take away some of the attention from the UFC’s card the previous night.

[@MrFlabbergasted123]

Sunday is way to football dominate in America most sports fans aren't turning off a football game to watch an undercard.

[@IGOBYTHENAMELOVE]

They need to have fights Saturday and Friday before ufc fights or before any nba game cus there will be people watching at restaurants or getting ready for the late night events

[@mattm8098]

@@IGOBYTHENAMELOVE I always forget other sports exist.

[@UAPReportingCenter]

How in gods name do u not mention Leons post fight over Kamari????? Greatest of all time bar none.

[@fraserlewis6905]

Dana gunna pick up some decent fighters by the looks of things

[@RogersArbitrary]

That’s more of a reverse bull dog choke from Draymond.

[@fraserlewis6905]

Derek Lewis asking where Rhonda fine ass at 😂😂

[@markvandenboogaard8523]

I agree 1000% on having an actual building for the history/hall of fame of mma

[@Scamp2x]

They have to combine

[@aholder9793]

Why isn't there a second doctor who assists the in ring doc. Using an earpiece.

[@gregwells1437]

Can’t stop is TJs walkout

[@dogstar5927]

I'll be real honest here - I've been a massive practicing fan of mma since the early 2000s, and I've watched nearly all the UFC events for the last 20 years. But I have never watched a single PFL, ONE, and Bellator event ever, whether I have paid for it or not. Actually, cone to think of it - I have only ever paid for UFC events and FightPass. Everything else has been casual glancing in YT.

[@FightXScience-wh6kx]

"I'll be real honest here - I've been a massive practicing fan of mma since the early 2000s, and I've watched nearly all the UFC events for the last 20 years. But I have never watched a single PFL, ONE, and Bellator event ever, whether I have paid for it or not. Actually, cone to think of it - I have only ever paid for UFC events and FightPass. Everything else has been casual glancing in YT." Then, you're not an "MMA fan." I'm not going to call you a "casual;" you're not. But you are what people call a "UFC fanboy." A "hardcore" MMA fan watches great MMA regardless of promotion. A hardcore boxing fan doesn't just watch Showtime. A hardcore football fan does watch college bowls. A hardcore soccer fan doesn't just watch the World Cup.

[@danc4454]

@@FightXScience-wh6kx comparing watching showtime only for Boxing is a terrible example. UFC has far more talent than the mentioned organizations and boxing is set up in a completely different way. Maybe your a MMA fanboy and not a combat sports fan so I’ll cut you some slack.

[@iceKOId]

Awful fans 😂

[@KBox1991]

I can’t stand the PFL format. Having tournaments wile it means there is no politics. It also means depending on brackets some of the biggest fights won’t happen. Plus. If the best in the world ever year made it to the final but kept getting injured and couldn’t make it to the date of the event where the title happens. It means the best will never be champion.

[@kardave2848]

PFL got that Saudi money!

[@michaelfranzese4975]

Only way another promotion actually has a chance is when the UFC fighters get together and stop signing those insane contracts. Turn down a fight, contract is automatically extended. Win the championship? Yep, contract is automatically extended. So many loopholes that free agency isn't even a thing until the UFC decides they don't want them. No such thing as free agency yet, IMO. The only person to successfully pull it off was Francis, and I mean at this point what can't that guy do.

[@tuffneggah]

yeah but when they get the new deals, they get upped in big ways. benefits of not having a collective bargaining unit. they cut side deals, per pettis and his quiet checks outside of fighting from dana

[@FightXScience-wh6kx]

​​@@tuffneggahThe court proceedings show how much the UFC paid its athletes, including so-called side deals. They paid them 16% of total revenue. In ALL major sports with collective bargaining, the athletes make 50%.

[@frumofor7087]

If these fighters can get better contracts elsewhere, they will for sure leave ufc

[@ciaracet0716]

​@@FightXScience-wh6kxWhere would the documentation be for back room deals and money paid behind the scenes?

[@ciaracet0716]

You're forgetting Nate Diaz. Like Francis he also had a hard time getting out of his contract too.

[@beckywilliams8587]

I think the isreal call out from Alex was good I'm a massive isreal fan but that is a massive challenge I don't see izzy turning down to be fair if he does then I recon his ufc days are done with the everyday fan same as Connor has done he not relevant anymore in ufc. Not sayin their nor good at what they do and wouldn't watch them but can't let that shine go or it's gone for good. Happy to see them fight till they got there walking sticks😅😅

[@psychologycited4211]

Love the fact that Ariel is a big Strokes fan 👌

[@tuffneggah]

makes sense as he does it to izzy's shaft 24/7

[@dereckmejia7981]

Keep both brands to give more guys chances to shine put more eyes on more ppl giving more ppl more chances to shine get more ppl pay checks

[@Human-ll5yv]

Nick said it after 137 rookie

[@JuiceyJayce]

Everyone back in the day loved Limp Bizkit

[@josephaugustine9306]

Snoop dog is a massive MMA Fan

[@pirateblacklungpiratecowbo4028]

I thought they were gonna fight n the winner gets the name

[@tuffneggah]

pfl and bellator have no idea how to be a brand. it's why their fights and fighters, even the great ones, won't be remembered

[@d12dan20]

Guys, if your gona have intro music with speech then dont have the host speak over the intro speech , it's the equivalent of 2 people speaking at the same time and sounds terrible.

[@Tvyoutubeacc]

You guys butchered all the RHCP songs 😭

[@Robheinn]

Pfl should kill off the tournament format

[@astheskylarksings]

I’d love to see the Hall of Fame have a tier system. The higher the tier, the more elite and accomplished the fighter. Does Mcgregor make it into the room with Silva and St Pierre?

[@tex-do1wm]

UFC !!!!

[@samuellopez582]

“Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck!”

[@onetime138]

Why don’t you grow a pair and say it to my face Ariel 😂

[@keepout7439]

I WONDER IF ANYONE RESPONDS TO THE COMMENTS ❓ I GUESS UNLESS YOU ARE A MEMBER🤔❓I ALWAYS WATCH / SUPPORT .BUT NOT A MEMBER 💯👍

[@scubasteve7638]

I've never seen someone who talks about a subject they've never been involved in other than talking about it be more into themselves than Ariel... Guys kinda sad if you really think about it..

[@gmartines8511]

damn Bellator shutdown Showtime done with mma Nd boxing pbc need a new home crazy thing happening in the fight game

[@mesanchez9310]

34:00 new mythical character unlocked Ariel "Can't stop, Addicted to the Ping Ting" Helwani The first time he sang that SENT me 😂😅😂

[@rayfamily4893]

Not mentioning Chael? Awww butthurt.

[@arebee4592]

the slithery snake ariel

[@donaldseigel4101]

Haters gonna hate

[@donaldseigel4101]

I have said it a million times and I will say it again the only way PFL and Bellator can be competitive with the UFC is to combine.

[@outlawmudshow9201]

Ariel taking a crypto sponsorship is hilarious

[@playerman1]

Why do I feel like Ariel doesn’t trust frank or micro manages…. If it’s a bit, it’s getting old

[@wizardsfan4903]

Ariel wtf 30 second ads every few mins why you becoming more greedy then dama

[@ehteshamkaunaine7417]

why is Areil ignoring the most recent speeches from Islam and Khamzat ?? supporting humanity

[@cryptokingz615]

Free Palestine

[@anthonylee8809]

Pfl about to go bankrupt

[@splijter]

why people still watch hellwani

[@charltondemas3560]

Bare naked ladies*

[@steverorison665]

Dude read the room you need to reinvent. MMA Hour with Mike Heck soon to come

[@ShinryuRQs]

We didn’t ask

[@gyulaszabo3444]

Well they probably go bankrupt!

[@closinginonclosure]

18:26 "2pac was one of my favorites" and on the live show with Action, Ariel said Hit Em Up is one of his all time favorites, and then proceeded to get the beginning lyrics of the very first verse wrong 😂 Ariel said "First on" instead of "First off". Lol. How does anyone who actually knows that song get that wrong? Haha. Is Ariel faking being a fan because he thinks it's cool to say he loves 2pac or something? Haha

[@NRC613]

Relax

[@closinginonclosure]

@@NRC613 No

[@closinginonclosure]

@@NRC613 I'm so fired up about Ariel I can't even sit still. I've been losing my mind

[@fjaaaka]

@@closinginonclosuresame

[@COMBAT_-ey8zl]

So did BELLATOR MMA already get sold? Nothing has been said or announced, only rumors. Ariel's friend is a pendejo. He's ignorant, of course the company has value, they have some of the best fighters in the world. I pay for SHOWTIME just to watch BELLATOR MMA. This guy is just a UFC follower.

[@kennethmortensen8159]

Shout out to who. The murderous leader of Saudi arabia? That was a ridicouless thing to say

[@EZ-qk6fx]

Ariel the rat

[@jenskarel5077]

Ariel I love the show and your many insights. But I have to say that I'm disappointed that you haven't brought up anything since Israel began attacking Palestine. You were the first to criticize what Palestine had done in Israel, though. Either you discuss both viewpoints or you don't discuss it at all.

[@jonr4164]

How you go two shows with little to no mention of the Game Bred with Costa's win and Big Country getting robbed! wtf. Shameful. Jorge is gonna have words with you boys next chat. Zzzz.

[@rickallen9099]

Bellator was never #2, Ariel. In the sense of a real competitor. It never was a real competitor

[@emersonr7481]

That's why they've been filling out arenas for years and why eddie Alvarez was champion in both bellator and ufc. I really am going to miss bellator. They're the reason why I even watch mma in the first place.

[@ziggy814]

Ariel making fun of big ass athletic dudes how they punch a bag lol... I want to see Ariel vs Steven A..... You know kill two birds

[@rjtrainor8056]

THE WEASEL

[@monrush]

"shout out to his excellency.." get off your knees Ariel... Im going to be sick..

[@rjtrainor8056]

Ur fan base is turning quick WEASEL

[@GismoTron]

Can't stand this guy anymore

[@LilWhittie72]

Ariel "coware behind a screen" helwani 😂