jimufctna24 Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 This probably deserves its own thread. Here's the meat of it. Ariel Helwani @arielhelwani 13h13 hours ago I was escorted out of the building by Zuffa staff before the main event. Credential taken away, too. Didn't see Bisping realize his dream. Ariel Helwani @arielhelwani 13h13 hours ago I love this sport & this job with all my heart. Did nothing unethical. I reported fight news. That's it. & then told we're banned for life. As I stated last night, this probably won't last. Dana has tried these tactics on Sherdog and Fighter's Only in the past, only to let them back in. Still, it reeks of pettiness. Also, Helwani is simply too big simply to shut out. He's the most respected journo in the game, both by fans and fighters alike. I haven't seen anyone on Twitter really support the UFC's decision. Some who have the means to do so, are calling the UFC out, and those who want to keep the UFC sweet, are being diplomatic, but not throwing Helwani under the bus. While Dana is yet to give his said of the story, I don't really see what Helwani has done wrong. His job is to report news and rumours. Brock returning was a massive story. While reporting it did negate a "holy shit" moment when Lesnar popped up on the UFC 200 promo, I don't see how that hurts UFC business. It's not like the UFC sold UFC 199 on the basis of a huge announcement. Anyway, since he left FOX, he has no ties with the UFC, and is under no obligation to toe the company line. The ironic thing is that in years previous, Helwani has being accused of being a UFC stooge (check the Kenny Rice fiasco). Now he's getting in serious bother for the complete opposite. All in all, it's a complete shambles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members wandshogun09 Posted June 5, 2016 Paid Members Share Posted June 5, 2016 It's so stupid. Helwani is the best MMA journalist by fucking miles. I don't think the UFC realise just how big a part he plays in the promotion of their events. They probably think they can just plug someone else into his role but Megan Olivi, nice as she is, just doesn't cut it. She's nowhere near Helwani's level. It's a massive overreaction. I get that they wanted to break the news themselves but who gives a shit really? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Goldberg Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 It's not right, makes UFC look bad and very unprofessional. At the end of the day Ariel is just doing his job to the best of his ability. The UFC shouldn't be allowed to treat Ariel or others in the media in such a poor way. MMA hour should be good tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members wandshogun09 Posted June 5, 2016 Paid Members Share Posted June 5, 2016 It's not just Helwani that's banned either, isn't it the MMAFighting.com crew as a whole? That includes some really good journalists like Esther Lin, Marc Raimondi and Luke Thomas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimufctna24 Posted June 5, 2016 Author Share Posted June 5, 2016 It's not just Helwani that's banned either, isn't it the MMAFighting.com crew as a whole? That includes some really good journalists like Esther Lin, Marc Raimondi and Luke Thomas. Yes, they all got removed. Ariel Helwani @arielhelwani 13h13 hours ago My teammates and friends @Ekc and @allelbows are the very best at what they do. I wish they didn't have to leave with me. They did nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members IANdrewDiceClay Posted June 5, 2016 Paid Members Share Posted June 5, 2016 At the end of it, his job is to report news. He had the balls to report this, unlike a lot of people who want to keep on the UFC's goodside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members lambyUK Posted June 5, 2016 Paid Members Share Posted June 5, 2016 The ufc should be looking at who leaked the news instead of banning the people who reported it. It's an absolute farce of a decision and makes the promotion look bush league. I'd understand their frustration if they came to the journalists in attendance and told them the news as some sort of thanks for being there type thing but asked them to wait till the promo had aired, but obviously this wasn't the case as others would have come out against him. I can see why they were angry as they were hoping for that what the fuck moment, and it was taken away by a reporter who when you look at it from the ufc's perspective is only out for himself. However when it's the media's job to do this they should do a better job getting the news locked away. It's telling that I haven't watched a single interview of post fight reaction as Helwani is the only one worth watching. It's unfortunate really as we should all be talking about Bisping yet this mess has left a sour taste in everybody's mouths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members herbie747 Posted June 5, 2016 Paid Members Share Posted June 5, 2016 check the Kenny Rice fiasco Where? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimufctna24 Posted June 5, 2016 Author Share Posted June 5, 2016 Herbie - Helwani did an interview with Sonnen. During the interview, Sonnen went to town on Kenny Rice. This irked Miletich, who went on the MMA Hour to challenge Helwani about his practices. I like Miletich as a commentator, but Helwani did shoot him down. Kenny Rice can fuck off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members herbie747 Posted June 5, 2016 Paid Members Share Posted June 5, 2016 Cool, thanks for that! I remember the Sonnen interview on Kenny Rice, but had no idea there was more after that involved Ariel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Supremo Posted June 5, 2016 Paid Members Share Posted June 5, 2016 Here's a great article by Ben Fowlkes on the subject. http://mmajunkie.com/2016/06/on-ufc-199-a-great-night-spoiled#sthash.O80HiIWt.uxfs&st_refDomain=&st_refQuery= "There's not a single good reason to toss a reporter out just because he was better at his job than was convenient for you." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members herbie747 Posted June 5, 2016 Paid Members Share Posted June 5, 2016 That quote sums it up really, Supremo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Supremo Posted June 5, 2016 Paid Members Share Posted June 5, 2016 I almost feel like there must be somethings more to the story. Surely that can't be the only reason. Even Dana can't be that petty, can he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanz25 Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 Meltzer on the observer show said he was in an akward position as he writes for mmafighting so couldn't talk to much, however there's more to the story supposedly than just whats been made out. Like others have said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 UFC always seems to me to want to tread whatever side suits it on the sport/entertainment razor wire. It wants taken serious, but wants to keep its news under spoilers lime you get embargoed on a film or tv show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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