Nickals and Dimes

• Ariel Helwani: The Pioneer of MMA Media and Journalism |N&D 69|

  In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, we’re joined by the one and only Ariel Helwani—one of the most respected and influential voices in MMA media. Ariel has been covering combat sports for over a decade, winning multiple MMA Journalist of the Year awards and shaping the way fans experience the fight game. From hosting The Ariel Helwani Show to breaking some of the biggest stories in MMA history, he has built a reputation as one of the most insightful journalists in the industry. The conversation kicks off with how Ariel began his journalism journey at the University of Syracuse. From there, we dive into the world of MMA journalism, discussing how the field has changed and the challenges of covering such a dynamic sport. Ariel also breaks down the impact of the Netflix era in combat sports, giving his take on how streaming platforms could change the way fights are promoted and consumed. He shares his big break moment, the moment that took his career to the next level, and how he manages to stay up to date with everything happening in sports. The conversation shifts to Ariel discussing his relationship with Dana White, his favorite and craziest interviews, and what it’s really like dealing with fighters in and out of the cage. He also shares his thoughts on how MMA can become more mainstream, the dream interviews he’d still love to do, and the unique relationship between the sport and its fans. Go check out Ariel's channel https://www.youtube.com/@UCVOdVp54jLrFhRUm4S29HeA https://sports.yahoo.com/combat/ MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE GO FOLLOW MY SOCIALS: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nobickal1/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nobickal Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoBickal GO FOLLOW TONY'S SOCIALS: Tony: https://www.instagram.com/ant_thechamp_cassar/ DON'T FOLLOW RONAN: https://www.instagram.com/theronanbell/ 00:00:00 - Ariel Intro 00:07:48 - The Idea of a Multiperson Interview Show 00:11:13 - MMA Journalism 00:14:29 - Netflix Era in Combat Sports 00:20:37 - Big Break Moment for Ariel 00:27:21 - How Does Ariel Stay Up to Date with Sports 00:32:35 - Ariel’s Relationship with Dana White 00:51:02 - Ariel’s Favorite and Craziest Interviews 01:04:47 - Dealing with Fighters 01:09:36 - How can MMA be more main stream 01:20:58 - Who are some people Ariel dreams to interview? 01:31:26 - Relationships between the sport of MMA and the Fans

  --------  

  1:41:40
• Demetrious Johnson: The Most Dominant Champion in UFC History |N&D 68|

  In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, we’re joined by one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time—Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson. A former UFC Flyweight Champion, DJ set the record for 11 consecutive title defenses, solidifying his place as one of the most well-rounded and dominant fighters in history. He’s continued to make waves outside the cage, winning IBJJF Worlds at the Master Brown Belt level and building a massive audience as a YouTuber and content creator. The conversation kicks off with DJ sharing his experiences training with Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, giving insight into what makes their team so dominant. He then takes us inside his time training in Thailand, and his training with Shogun Rua. The discussion shifts to the growth of Jiu Jitsu and what it takes to make the sport more accessible to a wider audience. DJ reflects on how he got his start in MMA, what led him to the UFC, and how his career unfolded. He also opens up about life after fighting and his transition into being a YouTuber, where he’s found success sharing fight breakdowns and training insights. Later in the episode, DJ reacts to Bo’s last fight, gives his thoughts on Alexandre Pantoja’s callout, and shares his perspective on how fighting as a sport can continue to evolve.

  --------  

  1:32:25
• Greg Kerkvliet on Winning the NCAA Heavy Weight Championship and Transitioning to MMA |N&D 67|

  In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, the boys sit down with Greg Kerkvliet, one of Penn State Wrestling’s standout heavyweights and NCAA Champ. From his performance on the mat to his thoughts on MMA and beyond, Greg gives us a full update on his season and what’s been happening in his world. The conversation kicks off with a fun debate about what makes a good bench press, followed by a deep dive into Greg’s current season and how things are shaping up so far. Greg also shares insights into his diet and gives an inside look at his experience competing at the CJI. Things get a bit lighter as Greg and the crew discuss topics like WWE, vegans, and even the ridiculous hypothetical: Greg vs. a chimp—who wins? Later, Bo shares the story of meeting comedian Shane Gillis last weekend and how his latest show was. To wrap up, the boys break down UFC 311, discuss the UFC’s hottest matchups, and talk about the potential trend of PSU wrestlers transitioning to MMA.

  --------  

  59:30
• Bo Nickal on Meeting Mark Zuckerberg and UFC 313 Announcement |N&D 66|

  In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, the boys kick things off with Bo’s wild story about partying with Mark Zuckerberg, sharing some behind-the-scenes moments. They debate what makes the best cookies in the world before diving into the latest MMA news and big headlines in the sport. The discussion then shifts to updates in real estate and the world of social media, with the crew breaking down trends and what’s happening right now. To wrap things up, Bo shares his hilarious take on what a MrBeast video would look like if he made one.

  --------  

  1:01:58
• Bo Nickal on UFC 311 Predictions, Weight Lifting, and TikTok Ban |N&D 65|

  In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, the boys dive into a mix of fitness, current events, and sports predictions. They kick things off with a conversation about bulking vs. cutting, breaking down their personal approaches to fitness and how to find the right balance. Next, the team reflects on what advice they would give to their younger selves, sharing some heartfelt and funny stories along the way. The discussion then shifts to the wildfires in LA and how they’re affecting the community. From there, the boys tackle the big question: Is TikTok being banned? They break down the rumors, what’s at stake, and how this could impact social media as a whole. Things lighten up with a fun segment on TV and movies, where they share what they’re currently watching and what’s worth checking out. The episode wraps up with their UFC 311 predictions, analyzing the fighters and calling out potential winners. Finally, they discuss PSU’s loss to Notre Dame, sharing their thoughts on what went wrong and what it means for the season.

  --------  

  54:37

Más podcasts de Deportes

Podcasts a la moda de Deportes

Acerca de Nickals and Dimes