Ariel Helwani didn’t mince words when discussing former world champion boxer Carl Froch‘s controversial flat Earth beliefs during a recent interview with former UFC star Darren Till.
“This knobhead thinks that the world is flat. You know this, right?” Helwani said, launching into an uncharacteristically pointed takedown of the former super middleweight champion. “He thinks that if he walked in New York City, that one person would know who he is. No one has any idea who this guy is, yet he continues to talk about how he sold a bunch of tickets at Wembley 15 years ago and how everyone knows who he is. He has no clue.”
Helwani’s comments come after Froch recently joined a growing list of combat sports figures who have publicly expressed skepticism about Earth being a sphere. In interviews, Froch has claimed that images of Earth from space are “CGI” and questioned humanity’s ability to leave Earth’s atmosphere.
“I think it’s an enclosed system, right, and I don’t think we can get out of it,” Froch stated in recent comments that have drawn widespread attention. The former boxing champion also referenced religious texts to support his views: “God separated the waters and the heavens using the firmament dome, that’s what it says in the Bible.”
Froch’s flat Earth stance places him in company with several UFC competitors who share similar beliefs, including featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell, BJJ specialist Kron Gracie, and former champion BJ Penn.
Mitchell has been particularly vocal, recently challenging SpaceX founder Elon Musk on social media: “u can fool the weak Christians, not me. u cant break the firmament. haha, loser. earth is flat. Jesus is king. and that chip u want in everyones head, shove it up ur a–.”
During the interview with Till, Helwani mockingly suggested a “dream fight” between the British former UFC star and Froch, referring to the boxer as “Flat Earth Froch.” The veteran journalist continued his criticism, pointing out what he perceives as Froch’s inflated sense of celebrity.
“He fought in the United States four times, twice was at Boardwalk Hall. He was not even the B-side. He was the D-side. He was that far down the spectrum and then he fought at a nightclub in front of six people in Los Angeles and he thinks it’s some kind of deal,” Helwani said.
The MMA journalist also took issue with what he sees as Froch’s contradictory statements regarding potential matchups with YouTube boxer Jake Paul.
“And then every time he does an interview, he’s like, I don’t want the Jake Paul fight, but I would do anything for the Jake Paul fight. I would do it for free. I would do it with one hand tied behind my back. I would give it to charity. Hey, Carl, what charity? Oh, some charity. You know, I’ll come up with one. What a clown this guy is,” Helwani concluded.
Froch’s space travel skepticism extends to lunar missions, with the boxer questioning why humans haven’t returned to the Moon in over 50 years and suggesting that previous lunar landings might not have happened at all.
While UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan has repeatedly challenged flat Earth believers, calling the theory a “ridiculous idea,” the movement continues to find supporters within combat sports circles.
Darren Till secured a decision win against Darren Stewart at Misfits 21.
