Combat sports have never been solely about what happens between the ropes. From sleight of hand negotiations to billion-dollar networks, the real battles have often been fought behind the scenes.

In this episode, acclaimed combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani is on hand to chart the evolution of that power struggle, from boxing’s turbulent past, through to the origin of UFC and WWE as most unlikely business partners. In just a couple of years, their parent company TKO Inc has evolved from a merger to a media empire, with UFC brokering billion-dollar broadcast deals, and WWE breaking new ground with Netflix’s first-ever live sports investment.

Now, TKO is turning its sights to boxing. Backed by Saudi Arabia, and set to launch with Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford this weekend, the move could change the sport forever. But is this actually the promised 'revival' of a fractured boxing landscape, or rather the beginning of a hostile takeover? 

To unpack it all, Ariel joins Ronan Mullen & Dave Hanratty to examine how WWE, UFC, and now boxing are being reshaped by politics, media, and money on a global scale.

Join Joe Molloy and guests for a daily take on the biggest sporting stories, Monday to Friday.