Five Rounds With Brett Okamoto

He's the champion, but Alexander Volkanovski still feels like he's got something to prove at UFC 251 when he puts his featherweight belt on the line against beloved fighter Max Holloway. Volkanovski tells Ariel about his renewed sense of motivation, his preparation for adverse conditions on Fight Island, and if he ever came close to fighting Henry Cejudo. Plus, Cynthia Calvillo discusses her move to flyweight, Jessica Eye's "weird" weigh-in performance last Saturday and how close she feels she is to challenging Valentina Shevchenko after defeating Eye (29:50). Ariel also delivers his thoughts on Amanda Nunes' recent comments about retirement (52:18).

Daniel Cormier, who signed the Stipe Miocic trilogy fight last week, tells Ariel why he withheld the news from him on last week's show (15:15). Plus, DC on Jorge Masvidal's contract disputes, Fight Island, and the UFC 251 fighter facing the most pressure. Ariel also reveals why he only wears flannel shirts and DC admits he does not know the name of his pet bird.

Following an "avalanche" of UFC news, ESPN's Chael Sonnen joins Ariel to discuss the revealing of Fight Island and a stacked UFC 251 card (15:38). Then, Sonnen unleashes on Ariel while talking about Jorge Masvidal's stalled negotiations, the UFC's failure to land Conor McGregor a fight, and Jon Jones' demands. Plus, Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic III (49:56).

Conor McGregor's retirement took the sports world by storm late Saturday night, and Daniel Cormier joins Ariel to explain the similarities and differences between McGregor's gripes with the UFC as compared to those of Jorge Masvidal, Jon Jones and Henry Cejudo (34:50). Plus, DC's advice to Amanda Nunes following her dominant UFC 250 performance, Aljamain Sterling's potential, the return of Cody Garbrandt, the fast-rising star of Sean O'Malley and much more, including an update on the potential trilogy fight between DC & Stipe Miocic (1:00:05).

Days before UFC 250, headlining women's bantamweight contender Felicia Spencer joins Ariel to discuss her first UFC title fight appearance, what it was like to prepare during a pandemic, and Amanda Nunes' greatest weakness. Then, UFC bantamweight Aljamain Sterling explains his frustration with not being featured in Saturday's co-main event and also discusses the state of the division now that Henry Cejudo is out of the picture (27:35). Sterling's opponent, Cory Sandhagen, then tells Ariel about a very different fight week experience and why he believes he's a "more impressive" fighter than Sterling (44:45). Lastly, Tyron Woodley, who lost in a welterweight bout last weekend, explains why he's at an "eerie peace" with the loss before passionately describing how he hopes to make an impact in a country that badly needs it (1:05:42).

Daniel Cormier joins Ariel (as a co-host, not an interviewee) to recap the events of the last week, both in and out of the Octagon. DC explains why he thinks Jon Jones' threats of relinquishing his light heavyweight belt are legit (24:42) and also tells Ariel why -- after calling Gilbert Burns' dominant performance over Tyron Woodley this past weekend -- he believes the Brazilian deserves a shot at the welterweight title (47:30). Plus, Ariel and DC each send a message to a country currently embroiled in chaos.

BMF champion Jorge Masvidal takes Ariel into the back-and-forth conversations he and Kamaru Usman have had regarding a welterweight title fight, and Masvidal also talks about why he's happy Colby Covington no longer trains at American Top Team (1:02:36). Before that, Covington himself opens up on his departure from ATT, the founding of Colby Covington Inc., who he hopes to fight next, and his beef with WWE's Drew McIntyre (32:30). Tyron Woodley, set to fight Gilbert Burns on Saturday night, discusses his status in the welterweight title conversation and why he doesn't regret the extracurriculars he participates in outside of fighting (5:10). Plus, heavyweight Francis Ngannou talks about the speculated Jon Jones fight and why it's fallen through this time, if a Jones fight or Stipe Miocic rematch would be bigger, and what might happen when he eventually hits free agency (1:21:32).

Daniel Cormier tells Ariel who he'd like to see Kamaru Usman defend his welterweight belt against now that Jorge Masvidal wants to take his business elsewhere (41:35). Plus, with Henry Cejudo's retirement official, the guys discuss who deserves a bantamweight title shot (33:10), as well as what must happen before a Jon Jones/Francis Ngannou heavyweight bout can get signed (53:40). And, Ariel takes credit for helping propel DC's UFC career.

One week after his controversial Fight Night bout against Glover Teixeira, UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith passionately defends decisions made by his corner and referee Jason Herzog, each of whom allowed the fight to continue longer than most believe it should have. Plus, WWE legend and AEW commentator Jim Ross talks to Ariel about how he scored a ticket to UFC Jacksonville, comparisons between Dana White and Vince MacMahon, why the fan-less MMA experience works on TV and much more (52:32).

Daniel Cormier and Ariel put a bow on the Jacksonville events before discussing whether Jon Jones can move up to heavyweight and beat Francis Ngannou (44:42), Justin Gaethje's comments on Conor McGregor (56:48) and DC's dream scenario for McGregor/Diaz III. Plus, some love for "The Beverly Hillbillies."

After a controversial main event between Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira, a fiery Chael Sonnen joins Ariel on ESPN Radio to explain why Wednesday night's events were "disgusting" (14:06). UFC lightweight Drew Dober also explains why, at age 31, he feels more confident than ever following his victory over Alexander Hernandez in Jacksonville. Plus, in a moment he's been waiting the past 10 years for, Ariel asks The Undertaker to reveal a big secret (43:35).

Fresh off calling the fights in Jacksonville, Daniel Cormier rejoins Ariel to break down Justin Gaethje's impressive performance, Henry Cejudo's sudden retirement and Stipe Miocic's unwillingness to fight him soon. They also talk about calling fights in an empty arena...and DC breaks big personal news! Then, Dominick Cruz joins Ariel two days after his UFC 249 bantamweight title loss to discuss the controversial early stoppage to the fight, his issues with the referee, and the devastation of losing after a 3+ year layoff from the sport (1:20:12). And, Francis Ngannou talks about his big knockout, the state of the heavyweight division and why the past year has been so frustrating for him (1:57:00).

The headliner of Saturday night's highly-anticipated UFC 249 card, Tony Ferguson, joins Ariel to talk about how he's feeling heading into the interim lightweight title fight, and why he won't fall for the trap Justin Gaethje may be setting (7:00). Then, strawweight Michelle Waterson discusses her unique training camp experience, lessons learned from her loss to Joanna Jedrzejczyk, her matchup with Carla Esparza and more (15:32). Featherweight Jeremy Stephens also explains why he's been away from social media, why he was born for this moment, and what it's been like training alongside Dominick Cruz (39:40). Plus, TST tells some wild stories from the weekend (1:01:00).

Fight week is back! To celebrate the occasion, Daniel Cormier and Ariel discuss why Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje won't disappoint (47:08). Plus, DC calls out Stipe Miocic (1:03:40) and gives his take on Donald Cerrone's recent comments about the Conor McGregor fight (33:54). DC also talks about his relationship with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson right after we learn of another one of Ariel's childhood enemies.

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker tells Ariel why he needed time off after losing the belt to Israel Adesanya, if he considered walking away from the sport entirely, his experience grappling with his wife during quarantine, and why he's excited to face Darren Till later in 2020. Plus, Top Rank Founder/CEO Bob Arum -- who began postponing boxing events in late February -- explains what must happen for boxing to return, how the coronavirus challenge stacks up against others he's faced in his storied career, if Wilder/Fury III could be fought without fans, and more (38:45). Ariel also gives his thoughts on the perception of Cowboy Cerrone (1:14:20).

One week after Amanda Nunes' decision to withdraw from UFC 249, Ariel asks Daniel Cormier the question: What do top fighters have to gain (or lose) by fighting under adverse circumstances? Plus, DC tells Ariel about the real Henry Cejudo and whether Dominick Cruz has a shot at dethroning him at 249 (17:08). The guys also talk about their elementary school nemeses (49:34).

A decade ago, Jason "Mayhem" Miller was one of the most popular MMA fighters on the planet. But when his fighting career came to a halt in 2012, his life took a dramatic turn for the worse, with years of arrests and prison stints to show for it. Today, nearly eight years after Miller infamously walked off Ariel's set, the guys reconnect to talk about the rise and fall and -- maybe -- rise again of "Mayhem."

Daniel Cormier tells Ariel whether it was smart or foolish for Tony Ferguson to make weight this past weekend, despite possibly having an interim title shot on May 9 (13:06). Plus, the guys remember DC's UFC debut - which happened seven years ago today -- before discussing how MMA history would be different had Strikeforce stayed around longer (31:50).

Tony Ferguson speaks with Ariel moments after making weight on Friday for a fight that isn't happening. The former interim UFC lightweight champion talks about why he's decided to make weight, if he's fighting on May 9 against Justin Gaethje, the crazy past month, Conor McGregor's Twitter comments about him and more.

Two of the greatest athletes of all time, the first being UFC legend Georges St-Pierre, join Ariel to discuss what it would take to pull him out of retirement, the love/hate relationship he has with fighting, where he belongs in the G.O.A.T. conversation, and how he avoided trouble despite being in the public eye. Then, Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal explains how MMA training helped him win multiple NBA titles and why he feels his Lakers team could have beaten Michael Jordan's Bulls (52:50). Plus, "TST's Minimalist Tip of the Week" (1:14:28).