Awful Announcing Podcast: Ariel Helwani on UFC, Dana White, Joe Rogan, and more

Host Brandon Contes interviews MMA reporter Ariel Helwani. Brandon and Ariel discuss a wide range of topics including discovering mixed martial arts and going to school to cover the sport, Dana White running the UFC, Joe Rogan as a UFC commentator, and more.

Here’s the full breakdown:

• :45: Confidence level on the New York Knicks
• 4:05: Why be a fan of the Knicks instead of the Bulls in the 90s?
• 5:54: MMA fandom
• 9:20: Famous classmates at Syracuse
• 11:15: MMA as a stepping stone?
• 12:55: MMA 20 years from now?
• 15:05: Covering UFC for Fox and ESPN
• 18:29: Benefits to working with a big company rather than being independent?
• 20:32: Anticipating roadblocks at ESPN?
• 22:32: Leaving ESPN
• 24:24: Why is ESPN deal with UFC important?
• 26:30: UFC recognizing the value ESPN is bringing
• 27:36: Why did Ariel’s relationship with Dana White sour?
• 32:53: Does Ariel miss going to events?
• 34:58: How is Ariel perceived by UFC fans?
• 37:35: Did ESPN attempt to foster a conversation between Ariel and Dana?
• 39:45: Dana White, UFC, and the media
• 41:54: Does Ariel think that White thinks Ariel is good or bad for MMA?
• 44:19: Sean Strickland’s response to Alexander Lee’s question about Strickland’s previous anti-LGBTQ posts
• 47:32: White’s “freedom of speech” mandate for the UFC
• 50:20: ESPN’s lack of response to Strickland compared to network going after other athletes for controversial things they said
• 55:10: What is Dana White’s best quality?
• 57:30: Relationship with Joe Rogan
• 1:00:46: Kids being fans of UFC
• 1:02:14: Covering boxing in Saudi Arabia
• 1:06:01: Biggest thing Ariel does to be a great interviewer

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