The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani - CM Punk exclusive in-studio interview, Becky Lynch crashes Rhea Ripley segment, Nate Landwehr, Joaquin Buckley, weekend recap

CM Punk exclusive in-studio interview, Becky Lynch crashes Rhea Ripley segment, Nate Landwehr, Joaquin Buckley, weekend recap

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04/01/24 • 268 min

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The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani

Ariel Helwani and the crew around (5:41) recap their busy weekend. Mysterious Frank recaps his trip to the Chase and Status party, and several people recap the UFC Atlantic City event and the trip to the casinos afterward.

Joaquin Buckley around (31:14) discusses his big win at UFC Atlantic City, why he didn’t think Vicente Luque wanted to be there, his trip to the pool before the fight, why he wants to be the main event at UFC St. Louis, who he might want to fight next, and more.

Nate Landwehr around (45:47) discusses his knockout win at UFC Atlantic City, what it was like fighting as a father, life as a UFC fighter, a recent tornado back home, who he wants to fight next, and more.

CM Punk around (1:02:49) discusses his torn triceps, if he could have competed at WrestleMania 40, his return to the WWE and when the conversations started, his conversation with Triple H, his removal from a WWE event this past May, how the AEW reacted, his return event for WWE and his walkout, his reception, his conversation with Vince McMahon, his opinion on the latest McMahon scandal, WrestleMania 40 plans, his relationship with Roman Reigns, what happened with Jack Perry at the London AEW event, his last match with AEW, the version of events told by Tony Khan, his issues with Adam Page, the controversial scrum, why he decided to return after ‘Brawl Out,’ his favorite AEW memories, his time with MJF, if he regrets coming back to pro wrestling, if he was close to signing with WWE over AEW, the viral clip with Randy Orton, issues with Colt Cabana, if AJ Lee will ever return to television, when he might be able to return to the ring, his final UFC trip to the Octagon, and more.

Ariel and NewYorkRic around (2:58:10) react to the CM Punk interview and his answers.

Rhea Ripley around (3:13:30) discusses her wrist injury, WrestleMania 40, Becky Lynch’s comments, Lynch’s current talent level, her pre-match comments about Lynch’s daughter, the locker room’s opinion of Ripley, Jade Cargill, the match with Lynch, and more. Becky Lynch then calls in to come into the studio for the interview.

Lynch and Ripley around (3:31:05) then exchange words and shoves on The MMA Hour set.

The panel then around (3:32:18) recaps the confrontation between Lynch and Ripley.

The parlay pals around (3:40:28) look back at their most recent pick, and GC recaps his picks for Saturday’s event.

Ariel Helwani and the panel around (3:45:41) then looks back at the foul-plagued UFC Atlantic City event and all the storylines.

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Ariel and NewYorkRic around (2:58:10) react to the CM Punk interview and his answers.

Lynch and Ripley around (3:31:05) then exchange words and shoves on The MMA Hour set.

The panel then around (3:32:18) recaps the confrontation between Lynch and Ripley.

The parlay pals around (3:40:28) look back at their most recent pick, and GC recaps his picks for Saturday’s event.

Ariel Helwani and the panel around (3:45:41) then looks back at the foul-plagued UFC Atlantic City event and all the storylines.

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Previous Episode

Becky Lynch and Saul Milton of Chase & Status in studio, AJ McKee, Ben Shalom, On The Nose questions

AJ McKee around (9:18), whose father Antonio McKee weighed in early on the UFC antitrust lawsuit settlement, discusses his experience at PFL vs. Bellator, the transition to PFL, what’s next for him, if he wanted to do the PFL tournament, his focus on the year, what he thought of Bellator Belfast, his staph infection, his snowboarding, his Bellator contract, his performance against Clay Collard, and more.

Ben Shalom around (36:47) talks about the BOXXER rise, how they ended up on Peacock, how he ended up as a promoter, if he has the respect of Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, why they are holding an event on Easter Sunday, if they could work with Matchroom down the road, Dalton Smith vs. Adam Azim, Ben Whittaker, his favorite promoters, and more.

In the latest On the Nose around (1:11:41), Ariel Helwani discusses The Rock, Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar, favorite quotes, leftovers, top fights in post-covid era, Brandon Moreno taking time out, dream UFC London card, Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, ‘Road House’ reviews, what questions would you ask Ronda Rousey, and more.

Becky Lynch around (2:03:26) discusses her new book, her journey, writing the book, her job as a flight attendant, why she decided to write a book now, how Mick Foley helped, the road to WWE superstardom, Seth Rollins, working with your husband, Vince McMahon and the allegations, Ronda Rousey’s recent comments, Lynch’s love of wrestling, CM Punk’s return, her contract, if Rhea Ripley crossed the line with her comments and recent matches, and more.

Saul Milton around (3:04:10), the “Chase” part of the English electronic music duo Chase & Status, discusses his MMA fandom, his music, their performance at Brit Awards, how they DJ as a duo, Tyson Fury’s walkout, MMA walkouts, going to UFC events, how MMA is his favorite sport, if Conor McGregor can return to form, and more.

The parlay pals around (4:05:26) make their selections for the upcoming weekend, and GC makes his picks for UFC Vegas 91.

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Next Episode

Cody Rhodes, Manon Fiorot, and Josh Barnett all in studio, plus Chris Weidman, Maycee Barber, weekend preview

Cody Rhodes around (5:41) discusses watching the ‘Bash at the Beach’ in person, the injuries he suffered Monday, WrestleMania 39, the advice he got from John Cena, comments from Roman Reigns, his relationship with Triple H, The Rock’s return, going back-to-back at the Royal Rumble, when his father is brought up to promote matches, Vince McMahon controversy, CM Punk’s return, his opinion of Tony Khan and AEW, his conversation with The Rock, how the fans made WrestleMania 40 main event, The Rock’s recent promos, his mother’s reaction, The Rock’s mom, the matches he’s looking forward to the most this weekend, and more.

Maycee Barber around (1:16:21) discusses her recent health scare, if there was a point she was worried about her life, her thoughts on her performance, Erin Blanchfield vs. Manon Fiorot, what’s next for her, if Rose Namajunas or Manon Fiorot is an option for her next fight, the best women’s flyweight on the planet, her relationship with Namajunas, her return to training, and more.

Chris Weidman around (1:37:31) discusses his win over Bruno Silva at UFC Atlantic City, his eye pokes, if he feels like it is a legitimate win, why so many eye pokes happened, if he thought Silva was looking for a way out, how eye pokes should be punished, his overall performance, the critics, if he would have retired if he had loss, if he wants a rematch with Silva, who he wants to face in his return, and more.

Josh Barnett around (2:06:23) discusses his pro wrestling promotion Bloodsport, why Shayna Baszler is allowed to compete at the event, his upcoming event in Japan with Rampage Jackson, how MMA and pro wrestling are linked, how to fix MMA, if the rounds were longer, weight-cutting, referees, MMA vs. pro wrestling, CM Punk’s comments on AEW and Tony Khan, his thoughts on Ronda Rousey, Baszler’s time in WWE, and more.

Manon Fiorot around (3:12:04) discusses her win over Erin Blanchfield at UFC Atlantic City, being a tourist in New York, shoes, if there were any surprises in the fight, what she wants next, the trilogy of Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko, Maycee Barber’s place in the division and last performance, why she went to the hospital after the fight, when she wants to return, the popularity of MMA in France, why she stopped snowboarding, Victor Wembanyama, bouncing back from her first loss, if she needs more finishes, and more.

The parlay pals around (4:00:13) make their latest selection, and GC makes his picks for the upcoming weekend.

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