Paulo Costa, Arnold Allen, Mark Hunt, Callum Smith, and this week's news!
Paulo Costa, Arnold Allen, Mark Hunt, Callum Smith, and this week's news!  
Podcast: The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani
Rating: Explicit Published On: Thu Jan 11 2024
Description: In the latest On the Nose around (4:48), Ariel Helwani discusses Tom Aspinall’s campaign to fight Jon Jones, whom Aspinall should fight next, if this is affecting Jones’ legacy, and more. The team discusses movies about wrestling, the etiquette of eating pizza, the truth of UFC pay-per-view numbers, GC’s meme game, Adesanya vs. Pereira 3 for the UFC 300 main event, whether UFC execs watch the MMA Hour, why International Fight Week got bumped up, Gaethje vs. Hollaway for the BMF title, Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz’s potential boxing match, and more. Paulo Costa around (24:19) discusses dropping out of his fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, the status of his elbow injury, how he ended up with Robert Whittaker, if he’s worried about ring rust, Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis, if there’s a line for pre-fight trash talk, facing Chimaev this year, life without USADA, secret juice, if he thinks Conor McGregor will fight at 185 pounds, Francis Ngannou, how he will defeat Whittaker, and more. Callum Smith around (54:56) talks about cutting weight in the cold of Quebec, Montreal, for his fight with Artur Beterbiev, the delay due to Beterbiev’s health issues, his spoiler role to a potential fight between Dimitry Bivol and Beterbiev, whether there’s a rematch clause, the hype around Beterbiev, his keys to victory for the fight, whether he’s concerned about judging in Quebec, and more. Mark Hunt around (2:02:35) discusses if his legal issues with the UFC are over, his return to fighting, getting into bare-knuckle boxing, his current weight, getting offered to take a dive for a fight, if he has talked to BKFC, if he can still watch MMA, wanting to face Jake Paul, USADA leaving UFC, and more. Arnold Allen around (2:32:00) discusses his activities away from the Octagon, his recent time off from the UFC, his performance against Max Holloway, his upcoming fight against Movsar Evloev at UFC 297, how GSP is an inspiration, the rise of UK MMA, Alexander Volkanovski’s legacy, how his Dad will be in his corner, Francis Ngannou, and more. The crew around (2:58:44) returns to the On the Nose questions. The parlay boys around (3:44:58) make their latest selection, and GC makes his picks for the upcoming combat sports weekend. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/ PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. New customers only. Min. $5 deposit required. Eligibility restrictions apply. See http://draftkings.com/sportsbook for details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices