Should We Give Up on Conor McGregor? Plus a UFC 303 Preview! | The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ariel Helwani to discuss Conor McGregor and UFC 303.
For more from The Ringer:
Shop: theringer.com/...
Website: theringer.com
Twitter: / ringer
Facebook: / ringer
Instagram: / ringer

[@Riles3152]

TBH, McGregor hasn’t been a serious fighter since the Eddie Alvarez tko in 2016

[@Kagemusha08]

Just listen to how Dana talks about Conor these days. "Well, when you've got as much money as him, hard to get out of bed..." Not an actual quote, but there's a huge difference in how Dana talks about his reliable stars and how he addresses Conor. Dude is done as a serious fighter. Even if he really pulled out because of his broken pinky toe and not because he's still having troubles with drugs and hooch. If he fights in the UFC again it'll be so he can finish up his contract so he can box social media clowns in KSA. Easier fights, doesn't have to train the parts of MMA he doesn't like, will get paid more money. But he isn't going to contend against guys like Islam or Arman or even Dustin. I suspect he understands this when he's not blasted on coke, hence pulling out for a broken pinky toe. You think he'd have done that during his rise?

[@Kaaashhhhhhh]

Yup yup yup. It’s been a long time since the Chandler TUF thing finished, Conor makes a lot of noise but why hasn’t he been able to make it to a fight?

[@davidstenner3136]

Goddamn i wanted the stanley cup back in Canada so bad

[@riikyricardo]

We shouldn’t overlook Pereira’s story book-esque revenge hunt of Adesanya as a huge reason why people just love him.

[@saadalikhan3031]

Definitely a movie in there somewhere

[@jzanthapus2504]

Jiri goes into the woods and starts punching wood things..... you mean.....TREEEEEEEEEES?

[@rocsreviews1230]

Love these pre ufc main card preview

[@purpleporygon]

I thought we already did give up on Connor.

[@renemubuntu6707]

He no longer a contender for the belt but he still the biggest draw by a mile

[@PhilMilkenson]

Real ufc fans don't care about mcgregor. Pereira vs Jiri is a huge upgrade.

[@dmac3183]

​@@PhilMilkenson Alex is the fighter McGregor fans claim Conor is, Perera is an absolute destroyer.

[@PhilMilkenson]

@dmac3183 absolute savage! Most dangerous striker ever, and so fun to watch. How fun would pereira vs ngannou had been?

[@dmac3183]

@kingjosephrbidenjriii5820 I think I might favour Alex, much more of a precision puncher and quicker but boy that would have been an amazing fight and build up.

[@KwisBwown]

CONOR MCGREGOR! ANTI - MMA FIGHTER! ANTI -VAXXER! PRO TRUMP! PRO - WWE!

[@nba_fan7214]

Bruh Conor hasn't won a fight in 4 years. I loved watching the dude when he was in his prime but he's done

[@francescosmith7859]

I enjoy Ariel. He hits a very interesting point. Chandler hasn't fought in two years and hence with the UFC's current structure, he hasn't gotten paid in two years!!!! Maybe if there was some base pay for fighters to help alleviate ridiculous situations like this one???

[@highdefinitionsports7405]

Nah, he made choices bro.

[@francescosmith7859]

@@highdefinitionsports7405 He (Chandler) accepted a fight against a high profile opponent and his opponent stalls, won't take drug tests and is now injured. So now he hasn't had a pay day in two years and hasn't done anything wrong but it's his fault for accepting a fight??? Seems like a weird business model.

[@highdefinitionsports7405]

@@francescosmith7859 wasn’t the only fight offered g.

[@francescosmith7859]

@@highdefinitionsports7405 So what? How would you like it at your place of work if you were offered a position, it sounded great and had great pay, and you signed. Then you had to wait for a partner to sign their deal as well and in the meantime (over two years) you don't get paid. Does that sound like a good arrangement to you? Or is it just fighters and athletes that we are not supposed to question their work conditions? Let's also be very clear, this is not a one off. This is a very common UFC situation where fighters do what they're supposed to and due to circumstances outside of their control (other fighter gets hurt, can't make weight, etc) they no longer get a pay day. They don't get reimbursed for their time, their camp or their trainers their partners (all of whom still get paid even if the fighter doesn't). That's nonsense.

[@highdefinitionsports7405]

@@francescosmith7859 agree to disagree bro.

[@bronzeandsteel3344]

Canucks fan here and we're all happy the soilers lost. They knocked us out of the playoffs, remember?

[@gustavovega9197]

Bill should be a moderater for a debate between Ariel and Dana

[@brokenkayfabe]

Dana knows hell get 10/7’d as all he can throw at Helwani is 5th grader insults. Helwani could do so much for the UFC if the company would stop being so petty.

[@Peekul1]

Conor was done when Khabib said he was done.

[@bikibaws]

not a contender anymore but he's a great heel that generates money, buzz and exposure not just for the UFC but for analysts and commentators like Luke, Ariel and Chael. Probably won't win a belt anymore but could be in fun fights against action fighters. Conor v Nate 3 would sell. Nate slaps and strangles him though if ever.

[@jonjomcquillan934]

Bold claim Nate’s way past it now mate, and that pains me to say

[@paulwinze4946]

Ariel is the goat of MMA reporters. Single Handedly got me back into UFC a decade ago with this podcasts and show. Keep up the great work!

[@tylersize808]

Are u his family member lmfao

[@VintageVoid3]

He’s not well respected anymore. Doesn’t have many legitimate sources.

[@erniejohnson677]

@@VintageVoid3lmao he’s clearly the most respected by the fighters, and deserves it, he actually cares for them and asks the right questions. You too young my son

[@Kagemusha08]

​@@erniejohnson677lol at most respected by fighters. You must not have seen the highlight of him arguing and/or getting slapped by them. Ariel is a shit-stirrer. He's a shameless attention whole, like many people who succeed in that line of work. Sometimes his shit-stiring produces some actual reporting. His interactions with some fighters are amusing. But don't get it wrong: he's only doing this because he can't get paid for covering a more mainstream sport. If he got offered a position at ESPN covering basketball he'd never talk about MMA again.

[@VintageVoid3]

@@erniejohnson677 a lot of the fighters don’t support him

[@RNE1993]

Straight up skipped Ottawa when listing the Canadian teams.

[@bronzeandsteel3344]

Who wouldn't?

[@SalKhayer]

As they should

[@daviddean2082]

We love Ariel but he is in McGregor's pocket, would never say a bad word about Conor.

[@scoonboon]

Why do people keep peddling the line “people who say boxing is dying are crazy”? Dana White said boxing was dying years ago. He doesn’t say it anymore. And nobody else does. The world knows boxing IS NOT dying.

[@TannerLikesStuff]

As someone who does fall in that wrestling/UFC/boxing Venn diagram but is sort of a lapsed UFC fan, I cannot wait for this weekend with this PPV and then AEW Forbidden Door. Love what WWE is doing lately too. What a time!

[@chasesagum3815]

We need more UFC content like this from Bill

[@EnthusiasticLock-hn4qp]

Conor has only won 1 fight at 155….1 fight and he claims champ champ. This is number one bullshit

[@btowhidi_1713]

Ariel is the Bill Simmons of MMA

[@Deans-jm3uf]

I’ll be excited the day of the Connor event otherwise no need to pay attention

[@mauriciokrebs2913]

well, theres a big room for fans who follow the personalities, not the fighters.

[@ethanedwards7557]

The UFC has gone downhill ever since the Fertittas sold it.

[@bottompants1]

Hot take

[@turneryoung905]

Shaedon Sharpe slander won’t be allowed on the BS podcast, Helwani.

[@BigginsInAmerica]

Bill Simmons must not watch UFC at all if he has to ask if we should give up Conor McGregor, a person who hasn't won a fight in 8 years.

[@FirstNameLastName-kt3zn]

But Connor keeps teasing a return

[@BigginsInAmerica]

@@FirstNameLastName-kt3zn Bill isn't intelligent enough to understand that McGregor's beer just became nationally distributed in America and McGregor was just using UFC 303 to get his name out there to sell beer this summer.

[@lylewalker5681]

That’s actually a crazy stat. Holy shit.

[@jackbotyt4602]

He also runs a media company and he understands that more casuals would want to click on a ufc video is Conner is the headline. you think to cynically to be practical

[@barrymaslow8441]

You spelled "too" incorrectly, genius...lol​@@jackbotyt4602

[@spicysauce11]

Connor needs to lay off the nose candy

[@EnthusiasticLock-hn4qp]

The devils dandruff

[@joshladd5073]

Bobby knuckles done said he’s not being a backup fighter or fighting at Perth

[@kdw0381]

More of these crossovers!

[@yellowsnowman9157]

Florida has 4 championships before Canada.... Not 3 Lightning = 3 Panthers = 1 Florida took over hockey. Deal with it

[@mildred1217]

Tha game has evolved and already moved on. You can't beat Alvarez and become UFC champion today. That is a thing of the past. Not taking anything away from Alvarez. Getting real tired of hearing names of Jones and Connor. Jones vs Miocic? You ve got to be kidding me.

[@nickm8874]

I love Bills content at times but the notion he’s cottoned onto something that professional odds compilers haven’t, in terms of ring rust, is hilarious. Silly old sausage I’m also fairly sure he’s just completely made up Vince saying that about the “UFC model.” Might be wrong

[@Kraftpunk1983vc]

What is this guy talking about? In what legitimate sport is any athlete big for 30 years? Comparing mma to pro wrestling is stupid. Athletes have a short prime to compete and there are few exceptions.

[@mikeiso8963]

Who is still hangin on!? Dude missed a press conference when they day before a woman with sexual assault allegations against him had her home invaded and her boyfriend got stabbed in the stomach 😂

[@joshladd5073]

Can we stop this jonesnis the fkn champion aspinall wasn’t even the next fight for Jon or the winner of that fight it was pavlovic he was 4th In line and wouldn’t have even gotten the shot of jones wouldn’t have gotten hurt

[@kangZ_94]

Connor is so big you have to title your UFC clip on whether or not we should move on from him 😂

[@bones2427]

Ariel is being disingenuous as always. McGregor and Jon Jones are the only guys who can sell more then a million buys. He knows it. Dana damn sure knows it. That's why Chandler is afraid to take another fight. He wants that pay day.

[@markfogarty574]

@@bones2427It is a good point - how many regular fights added together equal one with Conor?

[@armandr1613]

Panthers fan here. We are very happy💪. Haters gon hate.

[@holden9278]

Mcgregor has only had one notable win in the last 8 years lol everyone should've given up on him a while ago

[@2WheelsGood]

Love to see Ariel w my man Bill talking the fight game

[@angadsawhney]

All of bill simmoms picks were gold snd ariel tried to talk him out of all of them

[@prestonmactavish7385]

Florida and their 4 fans… 🙄 guy should stick to UFC

[@brettdavis5873]

Dropping the sheamus quote at the end

[@davidburke2453]

Bill is cringe when he talks about MMA.

[@79glane928]

Imagine still believing in Connor McGregor lol

[@mikeclarke3990]

Conor? Who the fook is that guy?

[@chadams7753]

I used to bet heavily on UFC about 5-7 years ago. They don’t keep advanced stats, but if you do yourself, you clean up. Virtually nobody wins short notice fights or is visibly faint at weigh in. I stopped watching once ESPN got ahold of it and started charging double a PPV, their subscription plus the $80 for no stars is absurd. If a journalist has to talk up fighters and spin MMA math, it’s a bad time. UFC is basically WWE, they make fights off of names and not legitimacy anymore. Holloway went 0-3 but still has a job because they are sucking wind for draws, can’t justify the cost of PPVs. Bar business is steady, though.

[@SalKhayer]

Love to see Ariel on the BS Pod. I want to see him more frequently, even if it's not just UFC or fighting in general. He's got good takes on hockey, and I'd love to see Bill plant his flag on the hockey content since ESPN is too cowardly (and terrible at hockey) to effectively do it. Bring Ariel on for Hockey as well next season and we'll get some amazing cross-sport analogies for fans to start understanding the sport more.

[@Tjbensinnington]

Its so weird, my 2 favorite sports are NBA and MMA(UFC) WEIRD alot of people like those 2 sports just like me.

[@user-hx9iq4yv8n]

Try being a flyers fan.

[@mattpitman758]

Conor is a WWE wrestler

[@ChristopherPorter-n7r]

Smart money betting against Jon Jones?.....good luck with that

[@brokenkayfabe]

Ariel Helwani is a king

[@rigsby1454]

Ariel Helwani is a joke

[@bjensen]

The only one who still shouldn't give up on him is his booger sugar dealer

[@jonathankim6755]

Haha we gave up on connor when he fought mayweather, hasnt been the same since

[@kevinahn8640]

Ima bitter leafs fan, ain’t no way I was rooting for the oilers!

[@RIDGEMATIC]

Uh, yeah, you might want to give up on a retired fighter wtf

[@mvp4lithuania]

How do Montreal Canadiens' fans feel?

[@WMABeaker]

Bill you need to do a pod with Don Cherry.

[@acornsucks2111]

He was over when he he tapped out so easily.

[@biggeneral1628]

LOL at Ariel lying about the injury. Why would he miss a presser because of a toe injury?

[@brokenkayfabe]

Why would he lie? Hes just going off what hes told.

[@alexlol3260]

BS X Ariel MMA shows are so good

[@Phoun]

Who da fook is dat guy?

[@blablablaa14]

The problem is UFC is so greedy that they refuse to let any champs on a McGregor card because they don’t want to pay them PPV points on UFC card that sells well

[@SharpwithanE]

For the algo

[@HWK4LFE76]

Connor who?

[@YaBoyMacD]

love ariel

[@alexlol3260]

Ben Simmons seems to be a UFC/MMA savant

[@alexlol3260]

not fraud ben, son ben

[@NickMachado]

Give up on conner? Its incredible anyone ever believed in him in the first place. Dude hasn't done anything in a decade and even in his "prime" he was just a WWE character that dana used for marketing.

[@jamesmiller5331]

Still had to knock out Aldo and Alvarez to get it. Don't act like Vince McMahon booked it all. He was never quite with the hype said but the guy had skills.

[@guanoguy4800]

Silly take. You gonna say Kobe was nothing next??

[@siniister710]

Imagine still believing in Conor in 2024 lol

[@mudstyle5288]

Never was on board with him to begin with. Most overrated fighter ever.

[@Raider2Pac]

Shouldn't he be doing the rest of his fighting in prison

[@midnightwolfee2128]

Err. No sound?

[@tylersize808]

Bill you’re dad still needs his diapers changed buddy