The MMA Hour: Alexander Volkanovski, Anderson Silva, Dan Hooker, More | Sept. 27, 2021

The Mixed Martial Arts Hour is back in your life! Below is a rundown of Monday’s show, which begins at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. GMT.
00:00 Standby
01:17 Recapping a week of fight and betting action surrounding the incredible UFC 266.
38:18 UFC bantamweight standout Merab Dvalishvili talks about his win over Marlon Moraes and what’s next for him.
1:04:27 UFC lightweight Dan Hooker reflects on his crazy travel journey to UFC 266, his win over Nasrat Haqparast, and what’s next for City Kickboxing.
1:40:14 Picks Recap
2:02:26 Two weeks removed from a highlight-reel knockout of Tito Ortiz, Anderson Silva talks about what’s next for him in boxing.
2:33:36 UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski celebrates his thrilling win over Brian Ortega at UFC 266 and looks at the options available for his next octagon appearance.
Note: Cesar Gracie was unable to attend.
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[@tech1238]

Show Starts - 1:06 Merab Dvalishvili - 38:20 Dan Høøker - 1:04:28 Cesar Gracie - Didn’t show up Conner’s Picks Recap - 1:40:26 Anderson Silva - 2:02:32 Alexander Volkanovski -2:33:52

[@jimkim602]

you be in heaven ... !

[@ThisWeirdWorldWonders]

@Christopher Hutchison always look up for him

[@yedagetsfurloughbyavon9315]

Your that guy pal your that guy

[@andrewyeah3143]

Tech - an integral part of the mma hour 👍

[@NicolaMaxwell]

🤜🤛

[@KingsofTruth425]

Best MMA show hands down.

[@documax123]

You're so right.

[@smac919]

MMA Hour is the best interview show in MMA // Morning Kombat is the best event review show in MMA. And now.. Ariel & Luke are cordial again after they went on a man date for some beers lol. If Luke didn’t hate Vox Media still.. we would get the MMA Beat Reunion. Ariel could definitely show up on MK one of these days though, as Ariel works for Showtime on occasion.

[@callumlambert6558]

Church

[@kevoam1660]

The quality of the show now and before really makes me think espn underused him

[@user-kq6ju6hc1w]

@@kevoam1660 obviously, dana made sure of that.

[@kingbenjamin92]

Merab is a beacon of light for the MMA world. I have so much respect for him!

[@painandpyro]

How exactly is he a "beacon of light"??? I get being a fan, but gotdamm 😄😄😄

[@DevinMcSalty]

@@painandpyro gotdamn?😂

[@kingbenjamin92]

@@painandpyro because of his positivity that he always brings. I've never seen him mad nor disrespectful in any way. In a sport that has evolved into people talking major trash about opponents, I see him as a beacon so whatever 💁🏻‍♂️

[@wajnomadiclife]

Iio

[@MrReiniC]

Merab is just an absolute dude. Gracious and a badass. Really enjoyed his videos with al and Sterling in Georgia 🇬🇪! Wish him all the best 💪🏻

[@ThisWeirdWorldWonders]

Love this show, it makes my Mondays at work way less painful.

[@zeeshawn15]

Same here

[@19ebenezer77]

Glad he left espn.

[@zeeshawn15]

@@19ebenezer77 him and DC were the only good thing left in espn and they down played Healwani

[@Andrew-pm9vv]

@@accountantthe3394 Ariel’s producer is getting more views on bets than the full ESPN show they have with 2 salaried analysts

[@Vvb61]

@@accountantthe3394 bruh if you don’t like Ariel why are you here

[@christiansalle4456]

Volkanovski is heading towards being the greatest featherweight of all time. That performance was tremendous. I believe he was robbed of a stoppage, herb dean, the doctor and Ortega’s corner all handled the end of round 3 horribly and unfairly to Volkanovski.

[@painandpyro]

Yep, I think the only reason more people aren't talking about it is because he isn't a fan favorite. If the same thing happened to Max, his fans would be rioting in the streets

[@shmenico]

Agree even alot of commentary is about the heart of ortega instead of the great performance and heart of volkanovski

[@lurk7411]

Yeah, I saw the fight in person and there seemed to be 2 rounds where Ortega got extra time... But still nothing but respect to both🙏

[@JoeJoe-di4oj]

Max got robbed in that second fight with Alex

[@loz1991]

@@JoeJoe-di4oj no he didn't. If you actually watched the fight you wouldn't be saying it

[@urinetrubble4550]

As one of those old heads that have watched the Spider ever since his days in Pride FC, his UFC debut, all the way until Tito in the boxing ring…it is just good to know that he is genuinely happy with himself. There will never be another Spider.

[@ampheZ]

Merab is really fun! Really learned to love him in this interview!

[@BlBl9419]

In Russian Volka means wolf so Russian MMA fans refer to Alex as the wolf and they were hating on him before fight. But afterwards they were giving him respect and saying " the wolf showed his heart!" and stuff like that!

[@walterkaiyuenpang3556]

Any specific reason why they were hating on him ?

[@smac919]

@@walterkaiyuenpang3556 Id guess the same as everywhere else, Max. Max is internationally loved.

[@technodromen]

Yan v Sandhagen would be suuuch a freakin’ banger of a fight! Both extremly technical strikers with exciting styles. Hope it happens.

[@rhysgeorge6090]

You got your wish brother

[@technodromen]

@@rhysgeorge6090 YEY! Sometimes the MMA gods are good. For both me and Cory.

[@Dezemi]

That 3rd round was crazy and Merab's fight with Moraes was unbelievable too. What a card, what a sport

[@twentyfour5785]

Ariel keeping me occupied when im out and about love the mma hour

[@andymcgowan7384]

New York Rick be like: "Conner, you're taking everything I worked for m-fer!"

[@AcesWildMMA]

Rick was way better

[@jackjackson4851]

🤣🤣🤣 best comment

[@danielg4368]

Love Holloway alot so never was a huge fan of Volkanovski but Damn after last Saturday I sure am now

[@laxstateofmind]

Same

[@stretchnj2441]

Dan the Man!! What a Guy! Class act

[@hotshot9524]

Love the show and always have since I start watching on 2013 but I miss the chemistry of you and DC had

[@TreyParker318]

Ariel, as a Huge Anderson fan, I remember the days when you weren't so high on him and I know that you are good friends with Weidman and I like Chris. And I always see that damn pic of Anderson getting ko'd (kinda awkward when he's on the show and the poster is right there 😆) can we please get a poster of the front kick on Vitor. It's time!

[@SparkyTakedown]

Good eye. I agree.

[@JimboSlice7797]

Yeah that is such an iconic photo

[@mikenowitzki6732]

Anyone catch Volk doing the shoie at the post fight? Whata a beast

[@DovahkiinGangsta]

Fun Fact: When Anderson speaks on learning so much from his "step" dad, Steven Seagal is somewhere feeling proud.

[@fern4310]

I could listen to Ariel talk about MMA all day, nobody can chop it up like this man honestly

[@JamesJuice321]

Alexander "the great" great fight! Congratulations!!

[@TheJewinator]

This show helps me get through work.

[@Joshy_Pav]

The MMA Hour. Keeping me sane in 2021. Good work HEELWANI!

[@joshuacortes2414]

What a delight Merab! New fan here

[@titaniumwolf2]

Merab Dvalishvili gained a new fan right here.

[@christianfrech6993]

Merab is awesome, what a legend and a real role-model

[@YHBTSTLL]

Can't wait to see what's next for Merab. This guy will be a star.

[@BriianRio]

Anderson loves Nicky Diaz

[@AD-vh9mt]

Merab is a cool dude, he comes to fight every time too

[@Sqkwid]

Love merab great guy with a lot of heart

[@MREDZ]

Damn, control room conner holdin it down! Get that man on the show more often, I dig his vibe 🤙

[@Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese1]

Love the picks with CB

[@troykaiser6326]

Best Anderson Silva interview ever!!! Well done Ariel 🙏

[@ContourGlobe]

PLEASE KEEP DOING THE BETS GC Is a nice breath of regular person air

[@ZepplinOnFire]

As always an incredible show from top to bottom.

[@matthewmullen3727]

Awesome show Ariel.

[@ImNotVoltz]

Man I didn’t even realize this episode came out because the thumbnail threw me off. Glad I checked on the channel

[@NicolaMaxwell]

Same! I just checked n found it just now. 😆

[@NicolaMaxwell]

Merab squad!🤙🏼

[@Stephane-D]

Merad is fire 💥

[@nickster3008]

It’s cool for Dan to be back with the win

[@flugendorffilms6130]

Pls interview Amosov, 26-0 Bellator champ.

[@stretchnj2441]

Volkanovski vs Cejudo would be a really great fight! Let's go!

[@richarddavies5674]

"King Of Cringe Quad C"

[@leonardogranic-flores1860]

this fight was so badass

[@JuiceBox218]

That main event was so fun to watch

[@joncatcheside8432]

Great show Ariel 👍

[@lacika2481]

Merab "My head was crazy" Dvalishvili :D What a guy :D

[@Nareptilesrock]

Everyone is being too negative when talking about Nick Diaz, it was a fun fight with Lawler he looked okay he still has it! If he fights again it needs be against other OGs. Hopefully he can sort out his personal life and people are looking out for him

[@dixoncider6786]

Dude , the guy quit 😂😂 had this been any other fighter the negativity would be way worse. Ufc literally cuts fighters who quit during fights

[@Nareptilesrock]

@@dixoncider6786 Nick isn't like every other ufc fighter he's a true legend, he clearly wasn't in the best shape and has been out of the game for so long. Considering that he looked pretty good I'd rather it finish the way it did than he get Knocked out

[@katana_3558]

@@Nareptilesrock so we agree he can for the bag ? He of all people knows he is not in a fight shape

[@Nareptilesrock]

@@katana_3558 it sounds like he was pressured to take the fight early who knows

[@jake7763]

Nick vs Tony.

[@TreyParker318]

Still hyped from Saturday. Was the best PPV of the year

[@carlosortiz6923]

There was only 1 really good fight on the ppv. The rest were ok. There was good non ppv fights.

[@skitzo5214]

@@carlosortiz6923 there were 3 fight of the night caliber fights. Nick vs lawler, Moraes vs Merab, and Volkanovski vs Ortega. You are high.

[@carlosortiz6923]

Moraes fight was the last fight on prelim card and that was great. Lawer vs Nick wasnt a great fight.

[@carlosortiz6923]

The main event was great

[@skitzo5214]

@@carlosortiz6923 Lawler and Nick threw down non stop for 3 rounds... how were you not entertained?

[@smac919]

Pretty sure as The Diaz Head Coach, Gracie is contractually obligated to flake on one media appearance per year. 🤣

[@MonsterMogster]

"Nick Diaz reminds us why we fell in love with this sport" you absolutely nailed it Ariel

[@documax123]

Great video today, Ariel.

[@danielmackay1223]

Ariel - "Its funny Alex, I was ALSO thinking about your wife as you were in that guillotine"

[@benwilsonMMA]

ariel likes to watch men with his wife while he beats his nose

[@carpenterdonald]

Merab is the type of guy to jump head first on a frozen lake just to condition his chin.

[@smac919]

Pretty sure he did somethin similar lol he jumped in a frozen lake I know for sure

[@walterkaiyuenpang3556]

Merab The Icebreaker !!! 🤕🤕🤕

[@matijacrgonja4355]

Spider it's a great person and figter ! Goat ! Legend !!! From Croatia whit respekt !

[@lazarus7657]

Anderson is a phenomenon

[@Romeoz06]

I’ve watched that Round 3 five or six times. Amazing stuff.

[@chinnappakalyal8496]

"No thanks to Cesar gracei" is the kinda accent Ariel I like the most. Peace out ✌

[@jaxxrocket1530]

Volkanovski is definitely no paper champ, that dude is very very good.

[@smac919]

Right no one has called him that lol. The term Paper Champ was brought up in MMA by Aljo, and then he became the Paper Champ lol

[@714ever8]

@@smac919 he was cause people thought he lost the second fight to Holloway

[@jaxxrocket1530]

@@smac919 The term was mentioned in the video and very few people support him being the champ. Wait.... what is your argument again?

[@brendonching7952]

Anderson was a fan of Michael Jackson (look up his Pride walkout routine)....they are very similar, in the fact that they’re both so soft-spoken/kind hearted, at the same time, Killers at their craft

[@thegreenjedi1792]

Anderson totally has a touch of Michael

[@NicolaMaxwell]

I've thought that before lol

[@ElephantJackson]

I love you Ariel! True to your self is the most attractive quality.

[@rodrigocisneros3166]

I want to see volkanovski vs holloway 3,on adesanya vs whittaker 2 card,that would be dope af,i heard that fight will happen in january of 2022 and it would headline ufc 270

[@kurstone04]

2:37:12 when youve had big Props hanging off your neck in rugby, having a featherweight hang on your neck aint too bad!! well done big Alexander the Great!

[@painandpyro]

He is THE KING!!!!

[@jestersage8700]

Props hanging off your neck and a bjj expert holding you in a tight guillotine are very different.

[@nicolaszamudio8699]

An ariel helwani Funko pop would be cool

[@erkandjurk6090]

I have all four of the golden girls, all I need left is an Ariel one..

[@pd_33]

THE MACHINE

[@charliepayne3152]

Would love to see Anderson and saenchai have a exhibition

[@Chatgbt221]

What a fantastic event...

[@adub92199]

Anderson is the embodiment of a true martial artist

[@tipsterflipster1144]

he's defo right about the commentary kept talking about ortega

[@cuoew]

Ay- REAL👊🏽 #respect

[@dancaruso3866]

Everyone should respect Volkanovsky because all he did was “go out and fight, do his job- go blame the judges”…. Keep that same energy when you talk about Jon Jones and his last few fights

[@Leroy_Brown]

Where can i buy the Ariel Helwani figurine?

[@24carrotssk8crew]

youre definitely right about that fight being better for Volk than a quick finish or 1 sided performance. after seeing Volk escape that submission (i was rooting for Brian too) i was baffled but disappointed that the opportunity slipped for Ortega. after he escaped the triangle tho & immediately started delivering some of the most ferocious ground & pound ive seen in the division, i became a fan... i will admit i was one of the max fans who was hating on him prior. no more disrespect towards Alexander The Great from me anymore.

[@AlexJones0316]

Hakuhō Shō retired today. Too bad not many people know this name. One of the greatest and most dominant martial artist.

[@chris-mc4dg]

I haven't heard of him, name some of his good fights so I can check them out please.

[@Ry43deck]

@@chris-mc4dg I've just checked now, he was a Sumo Wrestler 😂

[@chris-mc4dg]

@@Ry43deck wow don't want to see a fully grown 30 stone sweaty man in a thong rub up against another 30 stone sweaty man in a thong

[@jsbpwr]

Merab Dvalishvili 38:39 Dan Hooker 1:04:28 Anderson Silva 2:02:34 Alexander Volkanovski 2:33:36

[@Theworkingtitle7]

Ariel, you say to go watch Alex's fight. But where? Everything is either highlights, has music over top of it, or skips ahead every few seconds to avoid copyright? laws or something. There is no full fight unless I want to torrent it on some shady site?

[@HappyAccident06]

yo that conor guy was a great addition. I lost my parlay for riding with Nick haha.. shoulda listened!

[@jimbok2492]

Anderson is becoming the biggest name in combat sports again.

[@thegreenjedi1792]

Damn rlly wanted to hear what Cesar had to say, hope he comes on Wednesday

[@smac919]

Awww I just started the episode and read this comment. That sucks he didn’t come on today.

[@thegreenjedi1792]

@@smac919 I know I commented that after Ariel got done talking bout being excited to speak with him

[@smac919]

@Iye_dea Iye_dea naw that wasn’t Gracie. Gracie is his coach, not his manager. Nick fired his manager that booked the Robbie fight. This is confirmable.

[@tonyferguson8751]

Alex’s is right about the commentary

[@kurstone04]

1:05:00 Dan is the Captain of Aotearoa MMA. What a legend! Great work Ariel.

[@stephenbotto4576]

Does jon get mentioned?

[@dixieechann]

Ariel might never get another chance to interview any Gracie or even the Diaz brothers now. I'm sure there was a reason that Cesar had his reasons for bailing and it wasn't like he completely ghosted them, he was apologetic and tried to make amends.

[@JM-my4sb]

Homeless cats from PF Changs out in force supporting our boy ARIEL.

[@landon776]

I like Alex but remember what max did to Ortega and calvin and volk and the rest of the division. Max is a killer forreal

[@DH-vy8hw]

Ortega definitely didn't get that close to beating Max. FO SHO!!!!

[@kylegushue]

266 was the card of the year.

[@smac919]

268 is the real card of the year

[@juggalojupin8508]

Where can i get the Ariel pop?

[@smac919]

It’s just digital art unfortunately

[@juggalojupin8508]

@@smac919 damn

[@1983mikechan]

Its true, most noobs are annoying but I like GC. Hes great

[@H4mmis]

Heelwaniiiiiiiiiiiii💪

[@thegreenjedi1792]

Anderson vs Floyd would be ridiculous, Anderson would piece him up lowkeyc

[@bigfellasydney6970]

What time mark was the ceasur Gracie interview?

[@smac919]

He didn’t appear today, something happened

[@rajvasani4005]

Can we have USYK🐐🐐 on the MMA Hour?

[@wavylouii]

Anderson’s answer to every question was that he was ready

[@kevinpatino1895]

That is because he was born ready.

[@adambearden9016]

Anderson “i do my best” Silva

[@armandocontreras8114]

I always get my MMA news here, Ariel Helwani is the GOAT of MMA journalism!

[@saigoneze4465]

Lol i wish they had a better place for the HOF than the staircase at the P.I

[@MichaelSilverMedia]

I’ve seen it in person. Comical.

[@tarzanstrickland]

the great comeback rematches of late in the ufc; poirier mcgregor 2, miocic cormier 2, miocic ngannou 2, merab vs the ice

[@milojones8508]

I would totally buy that Funko Pop if it was real

[@bigmungi1]

It comes with a ufc 200 spoiler

[@killer36ize]

I agree with Volkanovski that the commentary was bias making it seem like the whole fight was similar to Lawler vs Macdonald 2. Volkanovski was dominating most of the fight. I have always wanted to know why the MMA community, and UFC have had huge praise, and advertisement for him.

[@kmqn7839]

Where is the Ortega interview?

[@NicolaMaxwell]

Ortega is done in.

[@jaxxrocket1530]

I was worried for Nick as well. Nick has been in so many wars he's taking way too many punches, he's definitely dealing with CTE. There's something about the fight that looked like they were both only going about 70%, something didn't seem quite right, almost like it was more of an exhibition.