Five Rounds With Brett Okamoto

On this week's Helwani Show, Ariel talks to the two men who will be headlining UFC 259 on Saturday night: Jan Blachowicz and Israel Adesanya. First up, Blachowicz joins the show to discuss Adesanya's weight on fight night, life as a new father and champion and whether he feels like he's being disrespected leading up the title fight by the oddsmakers and fans. (3:59) Then, in a wide-ranging interview with Adesanaya, "The Last Style Bender" talks about why he's moving up to light heavyweight now, his future at 185, why he's coming in so light for this fight, Jon Jones, and much more. (19:48)

DC & Helwani kick off this week’s show discussing the criticism Cyril Gane received after his win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik on Saturday night. Was it warranted? Where does he go from here? Then, the guys talk about a slew of title fights that were booked last week and what the bookings might mean for Poirier-McGregor 3, as well as Usman-Masvidal 2. After that, it’s UFC 259 talk, as the guys preview Saturday’s loaded pay-per-view card featuring three title fights -- headlined by Israel Adesanya vs. Jan Blachowicz for the UFC light heavyweight title -- and a plethora of interesting names.

A month after putting on a boxing clinic against Calvin Kattar, UFC featherweight star Max Holloway joins Ariel to discuss the win, why he loved fighting on ABC, if he’ll fight at 155 pounds again and much more. Then, former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz talks about fighting Casey Kenney on the UFC 259 prelims (29:21), lightweight Dan Hooker joins from his extended quarantine (42:55) and ONE Championship’s Sage Northcutt reflects on his short time in the UFC (55:36). Plus, TST says goodbye (1:03:31).

After Derrick Lewis’ impressive KO of Curtis Blaydes on Saturday, DC & Helwani discuss where “The Black Beast” fits into this exciting time for the UFC’s heavyweight division that includes Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou next month and Jon Jones’ impending heavyweight debut. Plus, the guys discuss the latest wrinkle in the potential Kamaru Usman-Jorge Masvidal rematch (39:42), Leon Edwards agreeing to fight Belal Muhammad and how Colby Covington must approach 2021 (47:53).

Top UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards delivers a very strong message to Colby Covington after “Rocky” tells Ariel about his feelings regarding yet another canceled Khamzat Chimaev fight. Then, ahead of Saturday’s big heavyweight bout with Derrick Lewis, a brutally honest Curtis Blaydes discusses the stakes of the fight, why he doesn’t enjoy Lewis’ humor and his respect for teammate Cory Sandhagen (24:54).

Another dominant welterweight title defense for Kamaru Usman leaves DC & Helwani wondering where “The Nigerian Nightmare” ranks among the greatest fighters of past and present. Plus, the guys discuss the “gift” Usman gave Jorge Masvidal postfight (16:18), who Leon Edwards must fight next month (39:44), Alexa Grasso’s boxing and what’s at stake for Saturday’s Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis bout (49:37).    

In his first interview since late 2019, UFC fan favorite Nathan Diaz tells Ariel how Conor McGregor messed up at UFC 257 against Dustin Poirier. Plus, he says who he hopes to fight next and how often he hopes to fight in 2021. Then, bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen discusses his viral flying knee, his plans to take over the division and..."the art of war.”

After watching a devastating knockout this past Saturday, DC & Helwani reconvene to discuss Corey Sandhagen’s incredible flying knee and what it means for his trajectory in the UFC’s bantamweight division. Plus, an inside look at he teammate vs. teammate showdown between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns at Saturday’s UFC 258 (33:20) and the guys break down what should happen this year in the lightweight division, and where exactly Nate Diaz fits in all of this (42:38).

After Ariel delivers the latest news and notes in MMA, New York City media mogul Peter Rosenberg joins to discuss winning WWE's prestigious 24/7 championship, Conor McGregor's transformation (28:45) and why he disapproved of Michael Chandler's Ric Flair impression. Stay Maj.

In a special edition of The Helwani Show, top UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier joins Ariel to reflect on his UFC 257 win over Conor McGregor, later opening up about his future and why he dislikes fighting sometimes. Then, UFC newcomer Michael Chandler discusses his impressive debut, why he feels he's earned a shot at the division's best and how he hopes to capitalize on his momentum (28:52). And, the red-hot Charles Oliveira campaigns for a title shot (57:10).

YouTube star Jake Paul speaks to Ariel for the first time in a wide-ranging conversation about Paul's decision to fight Ben Askren in a boxing match on April 17, why he's no longer interested in fighting Conor McGregor and his plans to "disrupt" boxing. But first, Askren, a former ONE Championship and Bellator champion, tells Ariel why he accepted the fight.

After watching a wild UFC 257 unfold on Saturday night, DC & Helwani discuss Dustin Poirier's confidence gained during the fight, if Conor McGregor's nice guy persona is harming him in the cage, as well as Michael Chandler's statement win. Then, SBG Ireland's John Kavanagh tells Ariel whether he regrets anything from McGregor's fight camp and who he feels McGregor should fight next (1:07:25).

Conor McGregor’s coach at SBG Ireland, John Kavanagh, joins Ariel for their usual pre-fight chat to discuss McGregor’s maturation in and out of the Octagon, the team’s ambitious plans for 2021 and why McGregor’s motivations are different than they once were (1:01:17). Mike Brown, Dustin Poirier’s coach at American Top Team, then talks about Poirier’s evolution since 2014 and why they feel they’re prepared to beat McGregor this time around at UFC 257 (1:26:25). But before all that, another edition of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show LIVE featuring Action Bronson, the return of the (controversial) Helwani Nose Trivia Challenge with NewYorkRic and TST, as well as a fan Q&A session.

Conor McGregor joins Ariel in a sit-down interview to discuss his frustrations with not fighting more in 2020, his relationship with Dana White, why he feels he’s in the best shape of his life, how he envisions Saturday’s Dustin Poirier rematch going, if he’ll ever fight Khabib Nurmagomedov again and much more (1:05:58). But before that, DC & Helwani react to a record-breaking performance by Max Holloway and the results of White’s meeting with Khabib. Plus, a full UFC 257 preview.

Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway joins Ariel to discuss Saturday’s historic matchup with Calvin Kattar and also his UFC 251 loss to Alexander Volkanovski. Kattar then talks about his preparation for the fight and the state of the featherweight division. Lightweight Dan Hooker, set to face Michael Chandler in the UFC 257 co-main event, next discusses the booking of the fight, potentially fighting Nate Diaz one day, lessons from losing to Dustin Poirier and more (33:13). And lastly, Conor McGregor’s boxing coach, Phil Sutcliffe, reflects on his relationship with MMA’s biggest star (49:17).

A history-making UFC fight card this Saturday leads DC & Helwani to discuss the rapid growth of MMA and also the stakes for Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar. Then, the guys dive into the stalled Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards fight, the booking of Michael Chandler and Dan Hooker for UFC 257 (30:20), Israel Adesanya’s light heavyweight title fight in March (41:40), Dana White’s upcoming meeting with Khabib Nurmagomedov and more.

In the most prestigious awards show in MMA, Ariel and a special guest look back on an incredible year by handing out 20 awards, including Male and Female Fighters of the Year, Breakout Fighter of the Year, Fight of the Year, and many more. Plus, a look ahead to the exciting year to come in 2021.

The final 2020 edition of ESPN’s fastest-growing podcast starts off with DC & Helwani reacting to this past Saturday night, including Stephen Thompson’s impressive five-round win over Geoff Neal, Jose Aldo’s bounce-back and Anthony Pettis’ strong showing in what could be the final UFC fight of his career. Then, the guys look back on a wild 2020 in combat sports, discussing DC’s UFC 252 loss to Stipe Miocic (33:30), Jorge Masvidal’s Fight Island moment (41:01) and capping it off with “Daniel Cormier’s Awards of the Year" (53:00).

In the final Wednesday show of 2020, Ariel speaks to new Bellator light heavyweight Yoel Romero about the abrupt end to his UFC tenure. Then, flyweight Brandon Moreno discusses his epic UFC 256 bout with Deiveson Figueiredo and his frustrations with the outcome, as well as his hopes to run it back next year (13:10). Next, middleweight Kevin Holland talks about his ambitious plans for 2021 (27:58) and then, in a very honest and open conversation, former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis offers younger fighters some advice he wished somebody had told him during his rise (45:48). And lastly, Ariel thanks the fans for sticking by his side during a wild 2020 (1:00:50).

After watching Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno slug it out at UFC 256 on Saturday night, DC & Helwani react to what many are calling the greatest UFC flyweight title fight in history. Then the guys discuss the rise of Charles Oliveira and his place in the UFC’s lightweight division, as well as Tony Ferguson’s next steps after losing twice this year (20:00). Plus, Kevin Holland’s insane year continues, Yoel Romero unexpectedly signs with Bellator (38:31), Khabib Nurmagomedov’s quest to make MMA an Olympic sport (55:18) and more.