Francis Ngannou, Marlon Vera, Robert Whittaker, Gilbert Melendez, Mike Tyson’s trainer Rafael Cordeiro, John Kavanagh & Rich Chou in studio

The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani

Ariel Helwani around (6:04) discusses the latest news in the UFC, the title fight and Jose Aldo’s return at UFC 301, what could have been at UFC 301, and more.

Gilbert Melendez around (20:19) talks about his new promotion with Scott Coker and their first event in San Jose on May 18, how the relationship will work, if he plans to return to fighting in the near future, why the fights will be in a ring instead of a cage, how many events do they plan this year, Diaz vs. Masvidal, Nate Diaz’s future, why he wants to fight again, and more.

Francis Ngannou around (47:13) talks about the physical and emotinoal fallout from his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua, how he felt after getting knocked down the first time, the unusually long wait for the fight to start, whether he felt more nervous for the fight with title shot on line, how he broke from tradition and watched the fight, whether Joshua would beat Tyson Fury, if he’s annoyed by revisionist history of his boxing career, whether the fight was the biggest payday of his career, when he can fight again, his desire to fight Tyson Fury, his reaction to the announcement he’d fight the winner of Ryan Bader vs. Renan Ferreira, whether his PFL contract requires him to fight in MMA this year, whether he regrets anything about the fight, and more.

The panel breaks around (1:26:32) down the Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones meeting and the trash talk between Colby Covington and Ian Garry.

Marlon Vera around (1:34:24) discusses his title loss to Sean O’Malley at UFC 299, his vision for the fight, if he has watched the fight, why O’Malley had such success, his issues with O’Malley’s hair, his eye injury during the fight, when he would like to return, what he wishes he could have done differently, Cory Sandhagen’s comments, his comments for Tim Welch, the robbery of his home, his fans in Miami, who he wants to fight next, O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili, and more.

Rafael Cordeiro, the coach of Mike Tyson, around (2:15:31) discusses Tyson’s training for the upcoming Jake Paul fight, the age gap between the two fighters, the difference between this Tyson and the fight against Roy Jones Jr., how he ended up coaching Tyson, balancing the gym and Tyson, his fight prediction, and more.

John Kavanagh and Rich Chou around (2:46:30) discuss the latest about Train Alta, Chou’s journey after Bellator, the program and how it works, the goals, new-look Bellator, Scott Coker’s new promotion, Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul, recent retirements, Conor McGregor’s absence from the UFC, and more.

The parlay pals around (3:44:15) look back at their most recent selection, and GC recaps his picks from the UFC event.

Robert Whittaker around (3:51:49) discusses his win over Paulo Costa at UFC 298, the illness before the fight, his performance in the fight, what happened with the Dricus Du Plessis fight, his opinion of Costa, Dustin Poirier’s recent comments, the MMA community, Alexander Volkanovski, Francis Ngannou, Steve Erceg and the UFC 301 title fight, his return, Sean Strickland, if Israel Adesanya gets next title shot, and more.

5:42

Julianna Pena debates leaving the parlay pals, but Ariel gets her to stay until UFC 300.

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