The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - Alexander Volkanovski, Chael Sonnen, Dan Hooker, Alexandre Pantoja, Ilia Topuria, Jens Pulver, w/ UFC 290 reaction

Alexander Volkanovski, Chael Sonnen, Dan Hooker, Alexandre Pantoja, Ilia Topuria, Jens Pulver, w/ UFC 290 reaction

Explicit content warning

07/10/23 • 276 min

The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani

The team discusses Alexander Volkanovski's amazing win over Yair Rodriguez, what's next for him, Robbie Lawler's retirement, discusses Dricus du Plessis win over Robert Whittaker, du Plessis' confrontation with Israel Adesanya, the genesis of Israel Adesanya's feud with Dricus du Plessis, and more.

Alexandre Pantoja around (1:05:47) talks about his "hero's welcome" at American Top Team after winning the flyweight title at UFC 290, his thoughts on the scoring of his fight, his relationship with his father, his emotional post-fight speech, respect for Brandon Moreno and "Rocky" moment in the hospital after the fight, how he was an Uber Eats driver two fights before his title shot, and more.

Chael Sonnen around (1:39:51) discusses Israel Adesanya’s staredown with Dricus du Plessis at UFC 290, if Adesanya crossed a line, if du Plessis could beat Adesanya, Alexander Volkanovski’s performance, Adesanya vs. Jon Jones, Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou, Bo Nickal vs. Khamzat Chimaev, and more.

Jens Pulver around (2:19:02) discusses his Hall of Fame week at UFC 290, why he felt an awesome sense of PTSD during the week, how nervous he was to give his speech, getting inducted alongside old teammate Robbie Lawler, memories of Lawler’s early career, catching up with Nick Diaz and Bas Rutten, his viral moment with Chris Curtis, his mom’s reaction to his speech, reaction to UFC 290, Anderson Silva’s absence from the ceremony, and more.

Dan Hooker around (2:45:17) discusses his thrilling UFC 290 win over Jalin Turner, the multiple surgeries he needs for his injured arm and orbital bone, dealing with the injuries mid-fight, how he scored the fight, the future of his blonde hair, and more.

Ilia Topuria around (3:02:44) discusses his staredown with Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 290, Volkanovski’s performance, how he matches up against Volkanovski, if he will get a title shot next, if the UFC will host event in Spain, his rose celebration against Josh Emmett, how he got his nickname, and more.

Alexander Volkanovski around (3:25:34) discusses recent comments by Ilia Topuria, his staredown with Topuria after the UFC 290 main event, when he first injured his arm, if he will return by UFC 294, what’s next, if anything surprised him against Yair Rodriguez, and more.

GC around (4:05:16) looks back at his picks at UFC 290, the International Fight Week draft, and the latest parlay pals selection.

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GC around (4:05:16) looks back at his picks at UFC 290, the International Fight Week draft, and the latest parlay pals selection.

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Previous Episode

Alexander Volkanovski, Jorge Masvidal, Dan Hooker, Cory Sandhagen, Jack Della Maddalena, and more

Dan Hooker around (2:49) discusses his new hair style, why he has turned the corner, his new tattoos, which tattoos hurt the most, how he got back on track, how he broke his hand in training, his comments about Islam Makhachev, his reaction to the Tony Ferguson offer, his fight against Jalin Turner at UFC 290, and more.

Alexander Volkanovski around (31:04) discusses his UFC 290 title defense against Yair Rodriguez, how he got a recent cut, Rodriguez’s custom belt, if he was close to a rematch with Islam Makhachev, Logan Paul and Prime, Dan Hooker’s comments, Mark Zuckerberg vs. Elon Musk, his bromance with Jamal Murray, Max Holloway’s recent fight, and more.

Jack Della Maddalena around (1:02:24) discusses his short-notice fight against Josiah Harrell at UFC 290, Kevin Holland possibly stepping up, missing out on Sean Brady, his infant son watching his fights, and more.

In the latest On the Nose around (1:26:47), Ariel Helwani discusses if Tyson Fury will face Francs Ngannou next, Money in the Bank, UFC London, Kevin Lee’s future, the recent ESPN layoffs, how the UFC treats Aljamain Sterling, and more.

Jorge Masvidal around (1:59:13) discusses his upcoming event in September, retired life, the main event rematch between JDS and Fabricio Werdum, what bareknuckle MMA is like, a bathroom fight in China, Jake Paul, Paul vs. Nate Diaz, the return of the BMF title, if he plans to fight again, facing KSI, and more.

Cory Sandhagen around (2:35:01) discusses his new social media game, his NBA fandom, why he is fighting Umar Nurmagomedov, how he is preparing for the fight, if a title shot is on the line, a rematch with Aljamain Sterling, what he learned from their first fight, how he escapes from fighting, reality TV, and more.

The group around (3:32:13) participates in the annual International Fight Week draft and then makes their latest parlay pick.

GC then around (3:45:58) makes his picks for UFC 290.

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Next Episode

Georges St-Pierre, Bo Nickal, Brandon Royval, Cat Zingano, Marquel Martin, reaction to Francis Ngannou news

In the latest On the Nose around (08:11), Ariel Helwani discusses Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou, the Jon Jones vs. Fury talks, Saudi Arabia hosting the fight, Alexander Volkanovski vs. Aljamain Sterling, a main event quiz,

Georges St. Pierre around (1:00:34) discusses his return to grappling this fall, Alexander Volkanovski’s talents, when he decided to compete again in grappling, his top choice for an opponent, Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury, if he would do boxing, the state of Canadian MMA, how he ended up training Elon Musk, and more.

Bo Nickal around (1:33:29) discusses his big win at UFC 290, how he dealt with the change of opponents, the entire fight against Val Woodburn, becoming a father, predicts his future, facing Khamzat Chimaev, what’s next, and more.

Cat Zingano around (2:01:48) discusses her recent support for a bill for pension for MMA fighters, how Ronda Rousey was involved in the effort, if the bill passes what it would mean for fighters, if Cris Cyborg would be next, doing jiu-jitsu under water,

Marquel Martin around (2:54:33), Francis Ngannou’s longtime representative, discusses the announcement of Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury, when the clash became a real thing, Dana White’s comments about Jon Jones vs. Fury, why the Fury vs. Ngannou fight didn’t happen in the UFC, Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua, Ngannou’s chances against Tommy Fury, how much Ngannou possibly will get paid, and more.

Brandon Royval around (3:26:20) discusses the co-main event at UFC 290, the weight cut, the life of a backup fighter, how he scored the main event, if a title shot is next, the state of the flyweight division, the tough loss to Alexandre Pantoja, and more.

GC and the parlay pals around (4:20:07) make their pick for this upcoming weekend, and GC makes his picks for UFC Vegas 77.

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