The Ariel Helwani Show - Breaking News Reaction: Islam Makhachev vacates, Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira and Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus du Plessis announced

Episode Date: May 14, 2025

On this special breaking news edition of the show, Ariel Helwani and the Boys in the Back react to Dana White's announcements (01:15), including, Islam Makhachev vacating his lightweight title in order for Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira to compete for undispiuted gold at UFC 317 (08:33).After discussing White's comments that Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall would be booked soon (26:35), the crew talk about Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus du Plessis being announced as the headliner for UFC 319, the promotion's return to Chicago (28:57).They close out with some more social media posts by Magomed Ankalaev, challenging Alex Pereira to a fight later this year (32:51), and one final look at the entire UFC 317 card (34:41).

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Err-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r- On this Tuesday, May 13th, 2025, yes, your eyes, your ears, they do not deceive you my friends. We're still here. It's 6.37pm Eastern Time. We just finished our show on Dazon with the great Adeola Depot. We were packing up and all of a sudden, there it was. They thought they can catch us when we were on the way out, but little did they know we don't leave this joint. We're here, always revved and ready to go. And so here we are on a late Tuesday evening, our third program of the day. And yes, Frankie, it is in fact a breaking news edition of the program.

Yes. Usually, usually I'll do this at home, on my phone, in my little setup, but why not do it from right here inside our New York City studio. And so let's not beat around the bush. As I was leaving, Dana White goes on Instagram Live and finally puts all of us out of our misery.

He announces many an item. There's a lot of things to go through. The top line, item 1A I would say, is that as of right now, Islamukhachev is no longer the UFC lightweight champion. Now we could do the semantics thing and say, alright, by the time June 28th rolls around and that, okay, then he's no longer. But look, for all intents and purposes, they're promoting an upcoming fight. He is vacating the UFC lightweight title. Dana White announcing that Issam Mikhachev is moving on. He is vacating the 155 pound title. And as a result of that will be fighting Jack Della Maddalena who was sitting right over there

Some four hours ago at a later date for the welterweight title He did not announce a date But that will be Jack's first title defense and that will be Issam Chachev's first fight at a hundred seventy pounds Since moving up from 155 in the UFC going after that title All right a lot to discuss there. As a result of him vacating the title, Dana White announcing that the main event on June 28th, International Fight Week, UFC 317, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, finally we get the answer to this question that we've been talking about for way too many weeks.

It is in fact going to be the former featherweight champion, Ilya Toporia, vacated his title a couple months ago, moving up to 155 pounds to fight Charles Olvera, the former champion at 155 for the vacant UFC lightweight title, not the interim, the vacant UFC lightweight title. Not the interim, the vacant. And so there it is. There's your International Fight Week main event, UFC 317, June 28th.

We will be there, boots on the ground, doing all kinds of programming before and after. I told you this a million times. It was never going to be an interim. There was no way in hell that someone as smart and as shrewd as Ilya Toporya was going to vacate his title to fight for an interim. It was always going to be Ilya versus Islam for the undisputed belt, or if Bilal lost, it was going to be Ilya versus Charles for the vacant title. Bilal lost, and thus it all played out as we have been telling you it was going to play out for the last several months. Or at least the last couple months.

And so it's going to be Ilya Toporya moving up trying to become a double champion against Charles. And Ilya tweeting just moments ago about this breaking news he took to X or he took to Twitter to tweet on June 28th, another dream will come true. I'll be the champion of the lightweight division. Charles, my apologies in advance. I'm just fighting for my dreams. It's unfortunate that Mikhail Chev ran away 17-0 with the famous Rose. And so that is the main event.

The co-main event, by the way, June 28th, International Fight Week is in fact going to be the worst kept secret in the sport. Alexandre Pantoja defending his title against Kaikai France, the flyweight title that is. There you have it. A very solid, a very fun co-main event. Dana White also announcing a slew of fights for this card. It is not complete, but a bunch of fights have been officially announced. The Notables, Paulo Costa versus Roman Kapilov. Fun fight at 185 pounds. Benil Dariush versus Henato Moikano. Another fun fight at 155 pounds.

Remember, we were supposed to get this bout back in January. Ahmad Sarukian gets hurt 24 hours before his title fight against Islam, which ends up being, at least for now, his last title fight at 155. Dariush left without an opponent. They're running it back on the 28th of June. Jonata Diniz against Justin Tafa. Denise, I should say, against Justin Taffa at 100, excuse me, at 265 pounds heavyweight. Brandon Roybal against Manel Cap. That to me feels like a potential number one contender, also a backup fight for the co-main event at 125 pounds.

Jack Hermansen against Gregory Rodriguez at 185, and Viviani Araujo against Tracy Cortez at 125 pounds. Those are the fights that have been officially announced for UFC 317 June 28th in Las Vegas. So you know about that, more to come. You know about Islam vacating and moving up and his fight will be TBD. But Dana White also announcing that we have a main event for UFC 319. That's in Chicago. Now we know about 318. It's Dustin Poirier against Max Holloway in Dustin's retirement fight, BMF title, New Orleans, Louisiana. Now we know about 319. It's August 16th

in Chicago. Finally, the number one question we've been asked time and again on the On the Nose segment on Wednesdays is, when is the UFC coming back to Chicago? I mean, no other city has been represented this much as far as when is the UFC coming back to X? And so finally they are coming back to Chicago. United Center hosting another big show. It's UFC 319 and it will be headlined by Drikus Duplessis defending his UFC middleweight title against Hamza Chamayev. Chamayev returning to the United States. And this, if we were to rank, I would say the most anticipated fights of 2025. Number one would be John Jones versus Tom Aspinall. That one is sort of teetering right now. Number two would be Issamah Hacha versus Ilya Toporya. That one, at least for now,

is on ice. And number three would be this one. So we're getting one of our top three most anticipated fights. And I would say that as someone who said that Kayla Harrison versus Juliana Pena was my most anticipated fights, but when we were doing our preview prediction show, these fights weren't close to being done. Remember, Drikus still had to get by Sean Strickland in February, but a lot of people were looking forward to a potential DDP versus Khamzad fight. You are getting it in Chicago, which should be a tremendous scene, always a great crowd. Massive Russian population over in Chicago. Fyodor has fought there multiple times in the past as well. Chicago, I'm sure you're very happy.

Your bears are no good. Your bulls are no good. Your white sucks are no good. But you're getting a UFC. Amazing. All right. Did I cover everything? Am I missing anything, boys? A lot has happened today.

It's been a long day for all of us. We're going to do a quick reaction here to all of this. And then obviously we'll talk more about it tomorrow. I didn't miss anything, right? We covered it all? No, you covered it. I got it. Yeah. All right, gentlemen. Think that's enough? No, it's enough. I just want, I think that's good. I got it. Yeah. All right gentlemen. Think that's enough? No, it's enough.

I just want to make sure that, um, that we're covering it all. That we're not, we're not leaving any stones unturned. Here's the thing. Yes. I am very excited about Ilya Toporyev fighting at 155 pounds. I'm also excited for Ilya versus Charles.

And I, and I also love the fact that Charles is getting his title fight because remember some bad luck has, um, you know, has, has forced him to miss out on some opportunities. Got the cut, didn't get a chance to fight for the belt, loses to Armin at 300, beats Michael Chandler. So this is a nice story. He's one of the greatest of all time. I'm happy that he's getting one more crack at that title. I can't help but feel still a little bit disappointed and deflated that we're not getting Ilya versus Islam, especially because I was sitting right in front of Jack Della,

who says he wants to come back in September, August. Well, he's not fighting in August, that's for sure. They're not going to put that fight on the same card as DDP versus Hamzad. September is Nocey UFC. Earliest would be October. I still don't understand why we couldn't have gotten Islam versus Ilya. And I've seen some people push back and say, like, why would you risk it? Who cares? Even if he lost to Ilya you could still do that fight. Him moving up after losing the belt doesn't in my opinion diminish

it but you may say okay it does well how about just the fact that he would get a boatload of money to fight on international fight week against Ilya? Alright it ain't happening. There is still a part of me that doesn't like the string of vacant titles. It feels very boxing like when you have a vacant title at 45, you have a vacant title at 55, a potential vacant title at 265 at heavyweight. I mean my guy Jedi Goodman right here now noting that heavyweight had a vacant title in March of 2023, light heavyweight had a vacant title in November of 2023, women's bantamweight

had a vacant title in January of 2024. Women's Bantamweight had a vacant title in January of 2024. And then of course Featherweight, vacant title in April. And Lightweight, vacant title. I don't, as a stickler for the lineage and the history, I don't like when that gets broken and there's vacant titles. I'm bummed that we're not getting that fight. I'm happy that we're getting Ilya versus Charles JDM versus Islam is a brilliant fight There's a lot of mixed emotions. I don't have a clear-cut cut black and white stance here, but I Don't like I don't love that. It feels like an unceremonious end to one of the great title reigns in UFC history What do you think right? It does but to your point would it not feel unceremonious for? Ilya to come up and not have a title on the line?

Right? You can't have your cake and eat it too. Well, no. It has to be one or the other. Ilya versus Islam. No, it wasn't happening. That's the one I wanted. Islam has more plans. All right.

Here's the sunny optimist look. Okay. Charles versus Ilya is a better fight. And we should be proud and thankful that we get it. What does that mean? What do you mean it's a better fight? It's a better fight. Better fight than Ilya versus. It's a better fight. It's a better fight between two guys who are

going to absolutely bring it and it's going to be incredible and I would have watched it with no title on the line interim title on the line or now the vacated undisputed title on the line. I don't care what a accoutrement, what trap trimmings and trappings you put on it. That is a better fight. And the one I ultimately wanted anyway.

So unlike most out there, I'm getting, I'm getting a lot of good things. what accoutrement, what trimmings and trappings you put on it, that is a better fight and the one I ultimately wanted anyway. So unlike most out there, I'm getting my wish on this one. You agree with this? No. Okay. Ilya Islam is a better matchup for sure. And I just wanted to see it with the culmination of an undefeated champion coming up to take on a long reigning champion at 155. I think that's a better matchup. I'm with you, Ariel, I don't love the vacant.

I wish that Islam was retaining his title, going for the double champ status at 170. So what does that mean? Does that mean Islam is now completely done with 155? Because if he, say he goes up and he fights Jack Delamattalena at 170, if he wins that, and he tries to come back down to fight Ilya, is he gonna have to vacate that title as well?

Is there no more double champs ever allowed in the UFC? I don't know, I just I wish it wasn't going vacant. I think it would hold the same weight in terms of people being excited for the matchup if it was an interim title and Islam had plans to move back down to try and defend it at some point. I appreciate your optimism Rick, but but I just I don't know how you can possibly with the, with the Georgia Russia storyline, with Ilya undefeated, with the history between his team and the Nurmagomedov team, the history between Islam and Ilya, like there isn't a ton of friction there between Ilya and Charles.

Now you could say, I don't care about any of that. You're just talking, you're talking X's and O's right now. You're talking style matchup. Ilya moving up to 145 and knocking off one of the most decorated champions in the history of the sport is a pretty big freaking deal. You're assuming the conclusion of that though. I can assume it the other way. The threat of it being a thing, the story. I personally don't see it as much of a threat.

That's my perspective on it is you're coming at it from what if, I'm coming at it from unlikely. Are you saying this because you thought that Islam was gonna steamroll him? Yes. That it was not going to be a competitive matchup? Your first fight in the division should not be against the number one pound-for-pound guy who has dispatched everybody. I just don't like that. I think it would have been close. I think he would have kept it standing. I think his takedown defense. I don't know who- Well, there's a way we're gonna see it, and that's if he can get the job done against Charles Oliveira, call out Islam after that and let's see it.

If he really is that, if he's that bad a dude and he can get past Charles Oliveira, set your sights on Islam Makachev, because now he's still out there. Well, what's brilliant about it is we had Jack four hours ago in studio saying he thinks he's gonna be one and done on 170. He's gonna feel his strength, his size, his power, and then he'll go down. So there is a world, Ilya beats Charles, Islam moves up, loses, he comes back down, right?

What if Islam loses to Jack Della, comes back down, and then now he has to try and get the title back from Ilya, and what if he loses that as well? Sure, let's do it. And then everyone's gonna do the thing that we did with Volk and be like, it was a mistake, he should have moved up. And oh, by the way, you never know. And by the way, we're discounting the chance that Charles Olivera is still one of the baddest. We're living in a world where Ilya wins. That's it. We're just living in a world where Ilya wins.

We're playing that game. There's a sliding doors thing. Who is the favorite in that fight, Ilya or Charles? It's gotta be Ilya. Yeah. Let's see. Ilya has won at 155 in the UFC, but obviously Charles has been around in that division. Jai Herbert is not, Charles Olsen. I mean.

Oh, Jai Herbert? No. He got head kicked. He was. He got head kicked. Look, I would agree that, here's the thing, Ilya should be the favorite probably, I would assume, given how good he's looked against guys who have fought at 155 before.

Volk has fought at 55, Max has fought at 55, so I presume without even knowing the odds, unless you have him, I presume that he's going to be the favorite. International Fight Week is always to me, it's supposed to be a weekend that showcases the best of the UFC, one of the stars of the UFC, one of the faces of the UFC and he is that. I mean, freaking hell, they had a commercial for the NFL coming to, is it Spain and he's out there rocking a commander's Jaden Daniels jersey? What the hell? I mean, the guy, I mean, and again, like I could crack a joke about the commanders being a loser franchise, but the point is he is mainstream and so there's only a few of those guys on the roster right now He's at the very top of the list and so just him being a part of it to me is the right move And it's a big deal

And so I like that they stuck to those guns and I like that they made him a promise and that he's going to be A part of it in Las Vegas. It feels like a big deal didn't the commanders make the NFC Jamming ship? Yeah, come on. I mean they, they had the easiest path of all time. The point is, I'm seeing some people say that International Fight Week is ass, it's a let down. What did you expect? My question was gonna be, was it worth the wait? Was this worth the wait?

They're saying this is ass? Oh yeah, I'm seeing a ton of complaints. In our chat right now, I'm seeing a ton of complaints. I bet my take didn't go over so hot then if they if they don't like this one cuz I took it upon myself to you know you got my aunt Evans oh yeah we're doing it all here better 155 title fight Ilia Islam 81% Ilia Charles 19% all right well I agree with that I'm still excited for this I'm glad that I'm with that, I'm still excited for this.

I'm glad that we got a resolution with this. We know that Islam is going up to 170. We know that it's now going to be Ilya and Charles, and we know that it's going to be for the vacant title. To me, it's fascinating. We also finally got a date on the books for Chi-Cara versus Pantoja. We can stop wondering about that. And to me, most importantly, A, Chicago is getting its event, and it's getting a pay

per view, and it's getting an incredible main event in DDP Homsot. I think that answers a lot of questions of when is Homsot going to fight and also can he fight in the United States? The answer to both those are yes and it'll be in August. I'm looking forward to that one. I think the most out of all of these announcements. 100%. I want to get to that in a moment. True or false? I'm just throwing it out there. I'm not weighing in just yet, I will weigh in in a moment. Islam not fighting Ilya and choosing to vacate his title hurts his legacy. No, false.

I also agree false. I think he's chasing greatness at 170. We know that Islam Makashev is not afraid to fight anybody. If he gets the 170 pound title, he is a double champ by any association, even though he will not be, by the letter of the law, he should be double champ. I agree with you guys. 100%, I don't think it hurts his legacy, even though I would love to see a fight

due to his greatness and due to Ilya's greatness. I will also say, Ilya, excuse me say Islam not fighting Ilya and choosing to move up and doing so vacates his title is not the same as Ilya moving on from 145 to move up. And for that, allow me to explain. Number one, you cannot compare Diego Lopez or Mozart Evluev to Ilya Tupouria. Meaning, Ilya had those guys waiting in the wings, Islam had Ilya waiting in the wings. This is a gigantic fight. These are just two other fights, you know, just and lesser fights in terms of stature than the ones he just had, which is Volk and Max Holloway.

He has been complaining about weight cutting. Him, not as much. Alright, no one wants to weight cut anymore. He's done the job. Fine. You move up to 170. No big deal. This fight here, meaning Islam-Ilya, is one of the most lucrative fights in the UFC. It is not as big as Islam versus JDM. So you're leaving like this crater on the table. You're walking away from this. And this guy over here is just like, you know what I mean? This guy's trying to get that crater. He's trying to walk towards it and you're walking away from it. Do you understand the point that I'm trying to make? So I see some people saying like, oh, well, if you're going to say that, you know, to

Ilya, like if you're going to say to his tweet there, if you're going to say that, that, that Islam ducked you, you duck these guys. It's not the same. He walked away from the belt to fight the number one contender. Now this guy's walking away from 155 to fight the new champ who's incredible, who's on an 18 fight winning streak. But I don't think that the two scenarios are the same. Do you guys get what I'm saying? No. You don't get what I'm saying? You weren't listening. GC, do you get what I'm saying? I understand your point,

but I just I don't think that Islam is ducking here. I don't think he's saying. I'm not saying, I'm just saying the two guys vacated their title. The circumstances surrounding those two vacating are different. They're not the same because I'm seeing people say to to Ilya, if you're saying that, if you're saying that Islam ducked you, then you ducked Mosar. It's not the same. He's walking away from a whatever fight to try to fight the number one pound for pound fighter in the world. This guy's walking away from this mega fight to go up to 170. I'm not-

But he's going for his mega fight. It's for Ilya- I'm just talking about the money. Islam is the big prize. For Islam, that 70 pound title is the big prize. It's, they are chasing their big prize. We were 46 days away from one of the best fights in New York history.

For Islam, Ilya is not the big prize. Why is Ilya the big fight for Islam? It is for Ilya, but why is that for Islam? Because of who the hell. No, he's putting his title on the line against the featherweight champ for the third time. For the third time. Yeah, I get it, I get it.

It's not a big prize for him. Ilya is such a big fight. He's undefeated, he's steamrolled through all these guys, he's one of the biggest stars in the sport, and he's only I get it. It's not, it's not a big prize for him. It is such a big fight. He's undefeated, he's steamrolled through all of these guys. He's one of the biggest stars in the sport and he's only gonna get bigger. Is there an argument to be made that it will be bigger if Ilya beats Charles Oliveira and Islam beats JDM and then he moves back down to 155?

It will be bigger if he can win. I actually think undoubtedly it'll be bigger, it's just you have to get there. Yeah, no, I I mean for sure but there's a there's a few things that could happen along the way. By the way we were in this scenario before with with Ilya Tuporiya and I was one of the doubters it was man he's gonna fight Max Holloway and he's not gonna get to get to the Valk fight. Sure. And then he dispatched him you know as he did or sorry the other way around but either way there's always there's always a roadblock in front of Ilya Taporyev and he's always able to

he's always able to find a way to get past it and if he is what he says he is dispatching of Charles Oliveira should be the path to Ilya Taporyev. I don't see it as as some like off- off the table thing. Islam's not retired, he's still here. If he gets past Charles, that fight is more massive in my mind because now he's shown he can do it. I just don't, I wouldn't love, like with, even with Volk, I don't love a guy coming up and just getting a chance against the number one pound for pound guy. This is not going, you know, Islam going up against Jack who just got the belt off Bilal and Bilal only had one title defense himself. No. Was this

his first defense? This was his first defense. Yeah, because he took it from Leon. And so he had no title defenses. Jack has no title defenses. This would be his first defense. It's not the same as Islam who has given the featherweight champion two opportunities to snatch his. I don't love that being your first fight coming up a weight class. GC, rate the card. How do you feel about 317? Probably like an eight and a half. Okay, that's solid. Yeah. Like the co-main. Co-main solid? Yeah I mean the fact that we're getting a Pantoja fight is good for me. I'm excited and I think it's interesting that we're getting another Australian or is KKF represent New Zealand? I'm mistaken. I think

he actually represents New Zealand. Yes. My mistake. But KKF getting his title shot going up against Pantoja. I think that's a decent fight. I'm extremely excited for Ilya and Charles. However we ended up getting here, I still am very much looking forward to that fight. It's two of the UFC's biggest stars that they have to offer. It's going to be blockbuster. And then the rest of the card feels like

it's shaping up pretty well too. You got Pala Kosta versus Roman Kapilov. That could get exciting. Yeah, I don't really have any complaints when it comes to the announcements. Man, Islam not getting double champ status rubs me the wrong way. Okay, is this the end? Someone asked me this earlier. Is this the end of those days of someone at least getting the opportunity to do that? Ilya didn't get that opportunity and Islam, if anyone deserved it, it's Islam or John Jones, right? They're the most decorated champions in the UFC.

Do you think we never see it again or is it data that's Islam or John Jones, right? They're the most decorated champions in the UFC. Do you think we never see it again, or is it dangerous to play the never game? Because again, it could just be a timing thing. I mean, look, hell, let's see what they do with Zhang Weili. I was just about to say, I think we fully find out. If they make Zhang vacate her 115 title, could you imagine? I I still I think that is the biggest mistake they made from all these announcements is forcing Issam to vacate. If they made Zhang do it and they gave us a vacant Virna Jandjeroba versus whoever. But if you didn't force him to vacate

then then Alex versus Diego would have been interim? Nobody should have to vacate. Oh you're saying for you're saying for Miami yeah if they didn't force that one I was more comfortable with because Ilya came out and was like I'm done at 145 I'm never going back Islam has come out just on Saturday and was just like I'm not vacating my title I'm going to become a little bit okay with Ilya fighting Charles for the interim I would have been all right with it yeah. Because then it just builds for Islam coming back down, win or lose.

If the fighter wants it, vacate. If the fighter does not want it, they should not be forced to give up their title. Especially Islam, it's one of your biggest stars. Islam should not have been forced to give up his title. He's done what they've asked each time it seems like. It felt like this is the opportunity, especially the double champ status,

that reaches the casual fans better. that that really starts to create a Superstar when you've got the two belts in the cage you got 155 and 170 and I mean who knows you just never know if we Could have seen Islam be the first guy to move between the the divisions and actively defend them I don't think he's active enough And I think that was probably the hesitation to do it and And also, I think Ariel hit on the most important thing is this is now timing. Everything in the UFC calendar is what dictates how these go.

So that's why I would not say never, because if all of a sudden Hamzah splits his DDP and gets it, I could see them just being like, hey, you want to go up to 205, too? Who cares? Like, it's all going to be subject to timing cares? It's all going to be subject to timing. And it's all going to be subject to how active this person can be. If Alex Pereira, at some point in that crazy light heavyweight run,

wanted to take a crack at heavyweight, I bet they would have let him keep his title. I bet they would have let him hold it because of how active he is. By the way, the Alex Pereira situation is super interesting. There was strong talks of him fighting in August. He told us that when he was in studio. Then we reported yesterday that it was in fact true that they asked him to fight on International Fight Week. He was unavailable to do so. And then when you start to consider, all right, the next pay-per-view is September. I mean, I suppose that he can

headline Noche UFC against Makov and Ankalev. I mean, Murab fought Sugar, although Sugar had some kind of ties to Mexico. And then the next one would be, I guess, Abu Dhabi would make sense for him. There's a lot that we're pushing to the back end of the year here. And of course, we can't even forget about John Jones versus Tom Aspinall. By the way, regarding John Jones versus Tom Aspinall, Dana White was asked about that particular fight on his IG Live. And he said, we'll get Aspen Oliver's Jones done the heavyweight fight will happen just relax I'll announce that soon so perhaps maybe he saw my rant earlier today I'm not sure

by the way I forgot to mention I did miss one July 26th in Abu Dhabi it is going to be the return of Shara Bullitt coming off that loss to Michael Van Impaige back in February in Saudi Arabia against the the winner from this past weekend Marc-André Barriot who had the great win, the scary win. He's returning relatively quickly and he's fighting Shara Bullitt on that card on the 26th of July in in Abuhabi. So stay tuned for that. I don't think that they will make Zhang vacate. I don't think they'll strip her. I think that belt is a lot more prestigious connected to her. But I guess, and I agree with you guys 100%,

I guess we'll get the final answer to that query. Why couldn't they have in practice just let Islam hold the belt until the 70 pound belt? Why couldn't they have just said, Ilya Toporia versus Charles Oliveira is for the interim lightweight title. Islam goes up to 170, faces JDM. It seems like that fight is coming together, right? It doesn't seem like there's much roadblocks to that. He has the double champ status and then

they say okay now you have to decide you can either be the 155 pound champ or the 170 pound champ because you're not gonna defend both which one are you gonna choose and then at that point he goes okay I want to fight at 170 Ilya Toporia or Charles Oliveira whoever wins becomes the champion or he goes I'm gonna go down to 55 I'm gonna defend that against the interim champion and then there's a vacant 170 it just feels like there was no need to do it before he had an opportunity to do that and then they could have just given him that option after he after he potentially captures it or if he fails then he's goes down to 55 and fights the winner true or false

before it's all said and done we will will see Ilya versus Islam. False. Yeah, I think so too. They were ships passing in the night, unfortunately. The game moves so fast, you just never know what's going to happen. I hope we see it. Yeah, I don't think so. Okay, let's talk about that fight that you're very excited about. DDP versus Hamza Chamayev, August 16th. What a fight. And finally, Hamza Chamayev August 16th. What a fight. And finally, finally Hamza Chamayev is fighting for a UFC title. Finally he returns to the United States. It has been a while.

His last fight in the United States was 2022 against Gilbert Burns in Jacksonville. So it has been quite some time and it's for the middleweight title. Drikus is on a roll. He's not, he's not shying away. I freaking love this fight. I feel like this is going to be like, this is

going to be like the, the irresistible force meets the immovable object. Something's got to give here between these two guys, um, you know, both at times, like they, they don't, they don't care about the style points, but they're strong. They get it done. Who do we, who, who's the early favorite in this one, do we lean towards and is there is there a line I can find one

but it's got to be Hamsa I think I think I saw like Hamsa like minus 180 in our preview show for this year yeah plus 185 DDP Hamsa minus 225 oh in our preview show for this year I had this as my number one over Tom and John. Wow. This is my number one. And by the way, I had it as Hamza versus whoever for the title. The fact that it happens to be DDP, who

I have ranked number five on my pound for pound list, is incredible. These two are going to be bulls in a China shop, just like rushing at each other. I love it. I can't like it anymore. This scratches the MMA itch for me. This is the thing I've been craving. This is the thing I've been wanting. As I said, even more so than Tom and John, as much as I want that

one, this is my number one and I can't believe we're getting it. And it's in the US. Yeah. GC, are you surprised? It's in Chicago. It's in Chicago. I love that. Are you surprised? Are you surprised? By the way, can't wait for the, what are we? Deep dish fight feast. Oh, yeah, big old greasy deep dish. It's gonna be great. Uno? I can get big uncle to show me around. Yes. Yeah, he's good. No, no. Pizza. Come on. Home run-in, baby. Shut up.

Oh, that's right. We gotta do a home run-in. That's my favorite frozen pizza. They send it to us. Well, we'll figure it out. Home run-in. We going to Chi-Town? I'm down Chi-Town in August. Or that I just meant like because you know my story about being in the airport We'll figure it out. We going to Chi-Town? I'm down Chi-Town in August. Or that, I just meant, because you know my story about being in the airport and I saw it there, it was, Oh yeah. Oh, it was great on the plane.

Were you getting ready to ask if I'm surprised that Hamzah's the favorite? That large of a favorite? No. Okay. Nope. I only took two future bets for this year and the biggest one that I took was Hamzah Shemaya

to be champion by the end of this year. It's just been an annual thing for me since like 2023. Yeah, I think Hamza Chamayev becomes champion and becomes one of if not the biggest stars that's active in the UFC. If Drikus, I believe Hamza will be the champion. If Drikus turns Hamza back, he's on the run. It might be one of the best runs in MMA history.

If he turns Hamza back. Would it be on your power? Do you guys not have him? I have him five. Okay. Yeah, I got him five as well. He's unbelievable. But I also have Hamza number three.

I was gonna say, you have him number three? I have Hamza number three. I have Hamza like number 10 or something. Man, I love that. That fight is gonna be absolute batshit insane. Plus, Drikus is such a, he's such a great heal. Like he's not like a real bad guy. He's kind of like a tweener bad guy.

It's, it's. Hums up plays up the bad guy. Like there's just going to be like a lot of gray here. I can't wait. It's going to be incredible. It's going to be bad shit. But man, I'm saying I'm confident in Hums up. But if this thing goes to deep waters, it'll be,

it'll be real interesting to see what happens. Yeah, I wanna look at something real quick here, because I know he went the distance with Gilbert. He went to the distance with Maru as well. With Usman, both of those rolling three rounders. Yeah, has never seen the fourth round in his entire career. Fourth round with full oxygen DDP? I mean, full oxygen DDP has been on a run that's insane.

Elevated? Is there elevation there? No, no, no, they're literally on the shore of the lakes. By the way, I mentioned Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankaleyev. Ankaleyev back on Twitter tweeting, I hope Shama will show up in Abu Dhabi. Don't be scared, homie. I gotta say, I don't hate.

Oh, stop it, please. It's so painful. I love it. Big Ankh is tremendous. He's blocked me on Twitter, so I'm thankful for the aggregators. That's an honor. I don't hate it.

I hate it so much. There's Magomed Ankhilayev. There's Magomed Ankhilayev, the fighter that you see at the pressures and everything, and then there's Big Ankh, the Twitter personality that has taken the pressures and everything and then there's big on the Twitter personality That has has taken the world by storm same guy No one knows they haven't seen him in the same room. No, that is true. I don't big on. Okay

This is the run for DDP though, like just come with me. Please. I'm ready to walk entering USC UFC debut Marcus Perez ko Trevon Giles, KO. Brad Tavares, decision. So third fight, he's already fighting Brad Tavares. Long time veteran, going to have the most wins in middleweight history. Fourth fight, Darren Till, submission. Fifth fight, Derek Brunson, TKO. Sixth fight, Robert Whitaker, TKO. Seventh fight, Sean Strickland, split decision.

Eighth fight, Israel Asadna, submission. Ninth fight, Sean Strickland, TKO seven fight Sean Strickland split decision eight fight Israel Asadna submission ninth fight Sean Strickland unanimous decision if he adds Hamsa to that like that's John Jones level UFC run and if that's insane and no one saw it coming no no one saw it coming and if he adds Hamsa Chumayev when does the run end yeah Yeah, who knows? He's gonna dethrone him. It really is something. That's why it's so fascinating, man. Cause I love DDP too.

Like I love watching him fight. I think, like you said, I think he's a great shit talker. Whoever comes out of that is gonna have star power behind them. I just like when you use that meme of him in the circly thing. Ah, it's one of my favorites. With the suit.

Ah yeah, and he's like. He's like. There's a lot of good DDCs he's done. He makes himself. Going back to 317, I'm looking at the full list. Yeah. This card is a solid eight and a half. Brandon Roy Valminelle Cop is a banger.

I like it a lot. Decker Manson RoboCop. Okay, but you have to. Benildir Yushinato Moikano. Was it worth the wait? Did International Fight Week deliver? Well, it was only a weight because they had to allow Bilal JDM to play out I just want to make it very

clear there's a very very very very good chance if Bilal wins that fifth round we're talking about Ilya versus Islam on June 28th right now. And that would have been obviously better based on that poll that you've gotten, everybody wanted that one. I think people would have been more excited but I didn't have like visions of grandeur like I felt like with UFC 300 like we were imagining all these wild that everybody wanted that one. I think people would have been more excited, but I didn't have visions of grander. I felt like with UFC 300, we were imagining all these wild matchups. This was more of like, let's get it on the books

and start looking forward to it. We had to move on. We had to move on. We got this one out of the way. The next one is Jones Aspinall, and then we could all kind of- Dana sounded confident on that Jones Aspinall. Chandler Conner.

Oh yeah, for sure that one's happening. Knocked them all out. By the way, how about this little fun factoid, courtesy of our good friend, once again, Jedi Goodman. This is going to be Charles Olvera's third vacant UFC lightweight title fight. One was Pettis. Okay, so. One was Chandler.

One was Chandler, he wins the belt. Then he fights Gachie, gets stripped, gets stripped because he misses weight. But then comes back because he won the belt. Then he fights Gai-Chi, gets stripped, gets stripped because he misses weight, but then comes back because he won the fight and fights Islam for the vacant title and now he's fighting and he loses that fight and now he's fighting for the third time. One and one. Isn't that crazy?

That is very crazy. That's got to be a record. Three vacant title fights? For sure. Yeah, probably. Speaking of records, Islam Akhatshev has won 15 fights in a row, so he's won away from the great Anderson Silva in terms of tying the longest winning streak in UFC history. He's got the most UFC lightweight title fights, or excuse me, title wins, five. That's the shame.

Period there. And most total and most total consecutive this according to UFC on TNT Sports most total and consecutive UFC lightweight title defenses four. So he's got five title victories, most defenses four, but that's it. It comes to an end. That's it's such a you said it perfectly unceremonious like this man was the I have him as the best lightweight of all time and that legacy ends with this. It just doesn't feel right. And it's not, you know, I see people in the chat

like why are you being a hitter? I'm not being a hitter. I respect the guy as a fighter so much that I wanted to see, to me this fight was that damn good. And I just wanted to see it, I wanted to see it play out and then win or lose the guy deserves a shot at 170 we're just so close to June 28th we were right freaking there but look I'd love to know at some point he's gonna talk to someone yeah what's the reasoning hey I'm just done I have no interest I don't

want to cut the weight I don't want to cut the weight. I don't want to risk the 170 fight. We know it's not that. Cause he said he wanted to keep the belt. He said it. But the thing is, if what we were told was correct, he agreed if Bilal kept the belt, he was going to fight at International Fight Week. So why not just do that fight?

You were going to do it. Do you know what I mean? It's two for the price of one Yeah, you're saying why do you have to go to 170 this fight wait one more do one more there's literally nothing left Don't and don't tell me there's always gonna be something like this is Ilya Tupori I'm one of the biggest stars in the sport. It's not some guy It's not like the seventh ranked guy and and there's really no one else am I missing someone like look at the rankings real quick is there anyone a lightweight that he hasn't beaten you're saying yeah buddy who okay Armin but he beat him he already beat him he could say he beat him and and he didn't show

up Charles beat him Gachey Holloway Poirier hooker gamera I mean like you now we're going down pad by the way by the way, it's not off the table if if Islam goes up against the 70 pound belt and then goes You know what? I want my 55 pound strap back Why not? Yeah, go back down and get it. It's not it's not it's not out of the question It's not it's not dead just because of that It's Ilya toporia now has the pressure. Ilya Toporia is the one with the work to do. Charles Olivares has been the champion.

Ilya Toporia is the one who's making the lightweight debut and has to capture this belt that Islam left, right? Islam did not lose the title, he left the title. It's now up to him to win it and then figure out how to get Islam to be interested in trying to get it back. I think that could be an exciting storyline. This is a super chat from Michael Salas. The boys put Ariel in his place with that ridiculous Islam take. Take. Keep keeping each other honest boys. What's the take? The take is

that I wanted to see him fight Ilia. What's the take? I didn't say he's done. Sounds like the majority to be honest. I thought we put Rick in his place. I'm the hipster. What's the take? I don't even know what the take is the take is that I really wanted to see him fight in 46 days I'm saying I wanted to see him fight five bucks thank you I think I just don't get it like what I wanted to see him fight give me this fight and then by the way after hanging with JDM today I can't wait for that

fight it's gonna be sick it's that fight. It's gonna be sick. It's a brilliant fight. It's gonna be great. And I think anyone who thinks that he's just gonna steamroll through JDM is continuing to discount this guy. But what's the take? Australia versus Russia card? Craig Jones Invitational? The improved takedown defense, the improved footwork,

the improved defensive prowess from JDM makes that more competitive in my mind I'm very interested in it and the fact that Islam's obviously going up and Islam has to go up a weight class 170 there's there's a gap there's a big gap there that's that's a 15 pound gap as opposed to what Ilya is doing right that's 10 pound gap when you're coming up from 45 to 55. Islam's going up 10 pounds. It's a big deal. Suggestion? 15 pounds rather.

Ilya Charles, front row T-Mobile, the pride of Liverpool, Patty Pimlet, Ilya wins, Patty goes in, title fight. Does that happen? Patty versus Ilya, man. Do you do it right now? God damn. What's the point?

If you're Armin and Justin and these guys. You've got like four years of content there between those. You're gonna be mad, but shit, I'd do it. God, Paddy Pimba just being like, it's time hand sanitizer boy. Oh my God, it's literally four years in the making. Do you do it now or do you have him fight a gay Chi? You need that win.

So, does anyone care? The same way you feel about Islam and Ilya, like do it now, don't ruin it, How would you have him fight a Gachie? You need that win. So you risk the loss. Does anyone care? The same way you feel about Islam and Ilya, like do it now, don't ruin it. I would do Patty versus Ilya now, don't ruin it. That's what I would do. I would do it. 100%. Don't wait.

Don't give an opportunity for it to fall apart. Now all of a sudden people are moving on real quick. Now you're getting Ilya versus Patty. Let's do it. You're getting Islam at 170. UFC's cooking. They're cooking with Chris Go. The main events for the summer lined up.

Marab versus Suga. Yeah. Ilya versus Charles. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Don't forget about Kayla versus Juliana too. Bro, double bill. What is this? It's a double bill.

It's a double main event. Did I not just say main event? No, it's a double main event. Did I not just say main events for the card? It's a double main event. Double main event. In main event? No, it's a double main event. Did I not just say main events for the card? It's a double main event. Double main event. In Times Square, they had three main events on that boxing card. W to the ladies.

It's two. W to the ladies. It's two. Marab, Sugar. Charles versus Ilya. Wow. KKF, Penn. Corrie versus Max Holloway. Oh, God.

And DDP, Khamzat Shemayev in Chicago. New Orleans for 318? The UFC is so back. They've never been more back. I'm in on this summer. I am in on this summer. The summer's pretty good. Oh my gosh.

That's a pretty good stretch of fights. And then UFC 320 in Guadalajara is gonna be great. I'm curious what's gonna happen with that one because now there's reports that they're moving the Crawford Canelo fight, which I don't think, I think there's a little bit of horse play going on there and then are they gonna go the same night as not you UFC does that make any sense who knows but but the one thing that does seem to

be a little bit up in the air who is it that told us that the arena in Guadalajara may not be a hundred percent I don't. It's a brand new arena. Who the hell knows? Here's another super chat. Cuban, what was that? Everything okay? Cuban cream king. Ariel, do you think Drikus can surpass Anderson Silva at middleweight if he gets past Hamzad, given that Hamzad is undefeated and has that aura? Wow. Is it just about aura? Drikus's run run is gonna be up there with anybody's if he gets past all that. Yeah, but he still has like 10 more titles. He has a lot more to rack up in terms of numbers,

but in terms of quality, Yeah. it's hard to match what he's doing if he beats Hamzat. I mean, he's on his way, but yeah, you've got a gigantic beast standing in front of you. A gigantic beast standing in front of you. And by the way, if he does beat Hamzah, then no one could say anything about that guy.

Just like, you know, if JDM beats Islam, what a crazy scenario. Like, who could have predicted this six months ago that we would be talking about a JDM versus Islam title fight? Hamzah versus DDP in America, which is huge. Ilya fighting Charles for the vacant lightweight title fight. Marco and Drey Barrio versus Sharer Bullitt, I mean. Yeah, you took the words out of my mouth.

It may be on a quick turnaround. Paulo Costa gets Raman Kapilov. By the way, right now, on the spot, I don't remember the last time Paulo Costa fought. Is it Sean Strickland in Newark? Yeah, I guess it was. Yeah, and I think before that it was Luke rock rock the Utah Yeah, and Salt Lake City on the night Leon kicked the car ahead that one fight in the last three years

I'm just happy to have Paula back. Yeah, no Yeah, I forgot about the wooded crew fire there There had to have been oh, yeah, like he like rocked them bad at the end of the first round That's right. That's right Anyway, every concert cancelled in Guadalajara in that same stadium a couple weeks ago Oh fuck because it's not done yet because it wasn't ready there. It is sketch. Yeah I'm telling you guys Here's another fun one before we go Alex Pantoja versus kai kaira There it is. Sketch. Yeah. I'm telling you guys.

Here's another fun one before we go. Alex Pantocha versus Kaikar Frantz will be the eighth time that a UFC title fight had competitors that were both tough alum. This according to? That's a fun one. Yeah, for sure, man. What the? How does he even know this?

I don't know, but does anybody need to know that? Oh, I need to know it. I love that fact to it. The eighth fight between tough alum championship fight. Makes you hopeful that Cormier and Sonnen are coaching future shadow contenders on this season of tough. Oh, those dudes were parading around New York City

to call their boy. You know how it used to be like- F them guys. It used to be pride never die. Tough needs to die. It's please die. It used to be pride never die. Yeah. Tough needs to die. It's please die. Tough, please die.

No more. I'm done. I disagree. No, you don't. You really don't. I hear this season is insane. We all love a summer reality show. Okay.

Wait a minute. We have to talk about this. That yellow corny jersey is nice. No, no, hold on, hold on. Might have to order another one. Where is your allegiance? It's time. Make a decision.

They're both dead to me. Oh wow! They're literally like two blocks away and they couldn't stop by to see their quote, quote friend. All right, sorry. They're doing media, they're all over the gas. Yeah. They couldn't call us, that's okay.

Yeah, someone first take on page six. Yeah, we got the champ. I was trying to put you in a tough spot and you just said kill them both. Streaming May 27th, 10 p.m. ESPN+. Wait, is that true? There it is. You actually knew? May 27th, that's in two weeks. You're actually locked in on Tuff? Yeah. Oh my god. The yellow jerseys on the way. He loves a good summer

reality show. Who doesn't love a good summer reality show? What a summer for us, the challenge, Ben the Bane. You talk about summer reality shows, my boy Ben the Bane is gonna take it home. We need to merge those and get Ben the Bane on tough. That might be what tough needs. Honestly yeah. Let's see how he does in the challenge. We'll see if he can graduate to the to uh. Ben the Bane, Oscar Willis. Okay before we go last thing quickly around the horn. Ilya Charles who wins? Ilya. Ilya. KKF Pantoja. Pants. Mm, making me go against my boy Pantoja though.

By the way, shout out to Tim Simpson noting that GC was the only one who. No, Frank was also, and. Oh, what? Tim Simpson also knew Frank was the other one. Wow. He was like, it was. They look at these things, man.

It was Connor and it was Frank. He knew, he knew that Frank. Except old GC went five and oh and has cemented his place in first place in the uncrowned staff picks. Okay, okay. Marc-André, okay, we can say that one. MAB though. MAB, all right, all right. Wait, wait, no, Poirier, Holloway.

Oh, this one's. I'm gonna, Holloway. Oh, this one's. I'm gonna go Holloway. He doesn't get swept. Dang. Damn. I'm going Poirier. I think the diamond does it again. It's gonna be a great one. Oh man, but you wanna see Poirier win in New Orleans.

In the retirement fight too. Hamzat, DDP. Hamzat. Also going Hamzat. Gonna be faster on that one. I think, listen, take it to the bank. Itums that DDP. Hums that. Also going home. Gonna be faster on that one. I think, listen, take it to the bank. It's a sure thing. Here we go.

I'm trying to remember what I said. But yeah, Robert Whitaker. It's one of the great sure things. Now which direction are you putting that now? Are you transferring that to DDP? I think DDP figures it out. I think he takes him to deep water and he figures it out. And I think it's like a learning lesson for him

and all this stuff. I like it. Yeah. Gentlemen, we've done a lot of shows today. Should we just stay and hang out till tomorrow? I'll bring up the cards. Isn't there a bunk bed in the studio? Yeah.

Yeah. We can do little s'mores, some marshmallows. I got a vacation to get to. Okay, all right, sorry about that. I didn't even call for the music. Ooh, look at this. No, Jordan did. No, Frank is pissed.

What do we got? Hey, shout out to Jamal, $50. Oh, fucking hell. I don't think it, we weren't even gonna read it. I don't think Islam was going to come back down. I think he just wanted double champ status. Although I do believe Islam deserved the shot, it definitely would have held up two divisions. Islam has mentioned he does cut a bit of weight coming down to 155. It's not a bad take yeah, a bit of weight for sure. A bit of weight is maybe an understatement. It's not a bad take though, Jamal.

He looks like a 70. Thanks for the $50. Yeah, no, appreciate it. Shout out to Jamal. Thanks. Was that one red? It was like pink or something. Yeah, those are special to see, Jamal.

I don't even know what that, like how do you even do that? Because you opt that dollar amount. You type in $50. Magenta. Guys, I mean, could we just talk about on Crown? I mean, the things that we're doing. Charning. The things that we're doing here.

I mean, JDM in studio, Bill Haney's too. Tomorrow, by the way, I wanna let you all know, tremendous show. The aforementioned Tim Simpson, who had Paul Hughes and JDM score big wins. He'll join us in studio. Arjun Buller gonna join us in studio. Benoit Saint-Denis on the program.

Darren Till on the program. And Valentina Shevchenko on the program Frank do you remember when we went to the expanded schedule and people were like how you gonna do it how you gonna do it how you gonna do it do you remember that this one from Zen pie the super chats are rolling in Ilya is five foot nothing. He gets stomped by Islam every time All right, we'll see I guess we won't see. No, we won't see But we'll see him fight at 155 again this time against Charles much much more to come We'll be back live tomorrow 1 p.m. Eastern appreciate you all hanging out with us this evening Appreciate them as well back on Wednesday same time and place unless there's more breaking news till then say peace. I'm out of here