ariel helwani show

The mixed martial arts world is buzzing with speculation that the UFC could announce the return of Conor McGregor on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Fans believe the promotion may use the announcement to steal attention from a major rival event taking place on the same night. The competing show is the Netflix-streamed MVP MMA card, headlined by a blockbuster fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano.

Ronda Rousey made a successful MMA return by defeating Gina Carano in 17 seconds at the first MVP MMA event. After the fight, the former UFC champion confirmed she does not plan to continue fighting and wants to focus on family life. Rousey thanked Carano for the opportunity and called the emotional comeback the perfect ending to her MMA journey.

Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini continue dominating NFL headlines as the offseason controversy refuses to fade. Jim Rome claimed the NFL may have used the drama to boost interest in New England’s Week 1 spotlight game, while Chase Daniel and Michael Irvin urged fans to stop obsessing over personal matters. Irvin strongly defended both figures, arguing that outsiders do not know the full story behind the growing media frenzy.

Conor McGregor has confirmed he is satisfied with the UFC contract terms that paved the way for his long-awaited return at UFC 329 against Max Holloway. The former two-division champion revealed he finally feels “honored” by the promotion after complicated negotiations tied to the UFC’s new media rights era. Reports suggest McGregor still has only two fights remaining on his current deal, potentially setting up a major free-agency situation in combat sports. Alongside the contract news, McGregor also shared insight into his mindset entering the comeback.

Mike Vrabel, the New England Patriots’ head coach, and former New York Times’ NFL insider and reporter, Dianna Russini, have dominated headlines for over a month now as their alleged affair rumors have sparked outrage among millions as many wanted both of them to get fired. As Dianna Russini stays out of the spotlight and Mike Vrabel has resumed his professional duties, their affair rumors have only intensified.

The upcoming fight card featuring Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano is attracting attention for more than the return of two major names in combat sports. The event, which is set to take place on May 16 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, is also becoming a major talking point because of fighter salaries. Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), co-founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, wants to use the event as an example of a different approach toward athlete pay and support.

Ronda Rousey has hinted that her upcoming fight against Gina Carano could be the final MMA appearance of her career. The former UFC champion revealed she promised her husband this would be her last fight while also opening up about the neurological issues that contributed to her losses against Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. Rousey explained how migraine aura symptoms affected her vision and reaction time during the later stage of her UFC run.

Jake Paul has opened up about the uncertain future of his boxing career following the brutal jaw injuries he suffered in his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2025. The former YouTuber revealed that doctors are still evaluating whether he can safely return to the ring after multiple surgeries, titanium implants, and a missing tooth complicated his recovery.

The UFC’s planned White House event has expanded into a multimillion-dollar spectacle, with $1.5 million VIP “Partner Investment” packages offering exclusive access alongside mass public ticket giveaways. Promoted as part of America’s 250th anniversary, the card blends sport, politics, and entertainment, featuring elite fighters while highlighting the growing partnership between the UFC, Dana White, and Donald Trump.

Speculation over a Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway rematch for UFC 329 intensified after EA Sports released the UFC 6 trailer featuring a simulated version of their bout, showing Holloway finishing McGregor. The footage, released ahead of International Fight Week, has fuelled talk around McGregor’s potential return after a long injury absence, with Holloway also acknowledging interest in the matchup.

Ted Turner, the media mogul behind CNN, TNT, and TBS, has died at 87. He transformed professional wrestling by turning WCW into a national rival to WWF, launching Monday Nitro and the nWo era. Turner’s hands-off approach, cultural insight, and media empire permanently reshaped wrestling and television. He is survived by five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Tensions are rising in the UFC lightweight division as Arman Tsarukyan openly dismissed Ilia Topuria and his bold ambitions. The Georgian-born Spaniard has been vocal about moving up and challenging Islam Makhachev. Topuria has even suggested that he could submit the dominant Dagestani champion. However, Tsarukyan has reacted strongly to that claim and made it clear that he does not believe Topuria has any realistic chance in such a matchup.

Brock Lesnar’s emotional exit at WrestleMania 42 has sparked strong speculation about his retirement. After losing to Oba Femi in a dominant showing, Lesnar removed his gloves and boots, leaving them in the ring in a symbolic gesture. While WWE has not confirmed his retirement, reactions from peers and media suggest this could be his final match. If true, it closes the chapter on a historic career filled with championships, unforgettable moments, and crossover success in both WWE and UFC.

Daniel Rodriguez returned to the UFC spotlight after an eight-month absence following an arrest at the US–Mexico border that led to incarceration in Tijuana. The welterweight contender says the unexpected detention disrupted a career resurgence but forced him into a strict routine of training and survival. Now back free, he’s targeting a swift return to competition and high-level opponents.

Andrew Tate suffered a surprising majority decision loss to Chase DeMoor in Dubai, a result that drew sharp criticism from journalist Ariel Helwani. Helwani described the defeat and exposed a significant gap between Tate's confident persona and his actual boxing ability. The loss has led to widespread questioning of Tate's future in the sport.

Ariel Helwani, in his recent episodes, reflected on the comments made by Dana White on the highly anticipated title unification bout between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. This is the first time in a while the UFC boss has revealed anything concrete about the upcoming fight. However, none of it was on a positive note towards materialising the bout, reducing the chances of seeing the fighters face each other within the Octagon.

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani warns of a significant threat to the UFC's integrity, citing reports of lower-level fighters being offered money to lose fights. He highlights financial desperation as a key vulnerability, drawing parallels to past betting scandals. The FBI is reportedly monitoring these betting links, raising concerns about the sport's future.

Rose Namajunas suffered a serious eye injury during her loss to Natalia Silva at UFC 324. She revealed on The ariel helwani show that she needs surgery and will have a silicone tube in her eye for three months. The injury came from eye pokes, leaving her unable to sneeze or blow her nose during recovery.

UFC President Dana White has surprisingly hinted at a possible reconciliation with MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, potentially ending years of friction. This comes after White publicly acknowledged his feelings on Logan Paul's podcast. Helwani, who was previously banned for prematurely reporting UFC news, has expressed willingness to return if invited.

Goldberg recently apologized to WWE referee Charles Robinson for an accidental spear during his final match at Saturday Night Main Event. Goldberg revealed he had personally requested Robinson for the match, acknowledging their long history dating back to WCW. Despite the mishap and Robinson's injury, Goldberg expressed admiration for the veteran referee's resilience.

Jeff Molina, embroiled in a betting scandal that led to his UFC suspension, is set to join the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). Expressing excitement about this new chapter, Molina praised BKFC's entertainment value and raw fighting style. He aims to become a two-division champion at 125 and 135 pounds, believing his striking skills are perfectly suited for bare-knuckle fighting.

Jose Aldo, a celebrated featherweight champion, has reaffirmed his retirement from combat sports, dismissing rumors of a boxing return. Speaking on the ariel helwani show, Aldo emphasized his decision was firm regardless of his last fight's outcome. He returned to UFC not for financial gain, but to continue his legacy.

Mackenzie Dern fiercely defended her UFC 321 strawweight title win against Virna Jandiroba, refuting analyst Din Thomas's claim that the fight was "insignificant." Dern argued that any championship bout, especially for a vacant belt, holds inherent value. She expressed her readiness to face any contender, including a potential rematch with Zhang Weili.

Former two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira has confirmed that his move to the heavyweight division is likely to be permanent. The Brazilian star recently vacated the light heavyweight title in order to pursue a new challenge at heavyweight. Pereira is scheduled to face top contender Ciryl Gane at the special UFC White House event on June 11. The fight could give Pereira the chance to win a championship in a third weight division.

Alexander Volkanovski discussed his potential retirement during an appearance on The ariel helwani show. Preparing for a title bout against Diego Lopes, Volkanovski emphasizes a final run for the featherweight championship before considering a break from fighting. He plans to defend the title and contemplate his future in the sport.

Ex-UFC champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson wants his son jailed after Raja Jackson's brutal attack on wrestler Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith in Los Angeles. The assault, at a KnokX Pro Wrestling event, left Smith hospitalized with serious injuries. Rampage, who has cut off contact with Raja, believes jail time, community service, and therapy are necessary.

Mauricio Ruffy's emphatic knockout victory at UFC 313 positions him as a rising contender in the lightweight division. After defeating King Green, Ruffy has called out potential opponents Beneil Dariush and reigning champion Islam Makhachev. With a professional record boasting 11 knockouts, Ruffy's calls have ignited speculation of a high-stakes title bout.

Francis Ngannou has expressed a strong desire to face Deontay Wilder in a boxing match, aiming for a 2026 showdown. Wilder's manager has confirmed his client's openness to the fight, setting the stage for a potential clash between two heavyweight power punchers. Both fighters have publicly acknowledged their interest, fueling anticipation for a high-stakes battle.

Gunnar Nelson is set to return to the UFC on March 22, 2025, to fight Kevin Holland after a two-year break, focusing on coaching instead of his career. Nelson, a former training partner of Conor McGregor, expressed enthusiasm for the match, praising Holland's creativity and skills. Nelson and McGregor remain in touch but have different career paths.

Conor McGregor is undoubtedly one of the wealthiest MMA fighters in the world. McGregor's business portfolio expanded considerably as well. Amid that, he still wants to compete, as he hopes to make a comeback to the historic UFC White House card. However, he might be cleared for the White House event, which is expected to take place on June 14.