UFC lifts lifetime ban on MMA journalist
MMA Hour host Ariel Helwani. Photo taken from @arielhelwani’s Instagram page
After permanently prohibiting mixed martial arts writer Ariel Helwani from covering its events, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) brass had a change of heart.
Helwani, along with MMA Fighting photojournalist Esther Lin and videographer Casey Leydon, had been removed from UFC 199 for prematurely breaking news about Brock Lesnar’s return to the promotion.
READ: Reporter, staff removed from UFC 199 after Lesnar report
The UFC issued a statement posted on its website on Monday (Tuesday in Manila):
“Following a conversation with the editorial team at SB Nation, UFC will not prevent MMAFighting.com from receiving media credentials to cover live UFC events.
“We respect the role the media plays in our sport and beyond, including MMAFighting’s ability to report news.
“However, in our opinion, we believe the recurring tactics used by its lead reporter extended beyond the purpose of journalism.
“We feel confident our position has now been adequately communicated to the SB Nation editorial team.
“UFC’s goal as the world’s leading mixed martial arts promotion is to cultivate interest in its world-class athletes and events, and deliver for the fans.
“We will continue to introduce this sport and its athletes to new fans across the world, and we will do so by working alongside media across all platforms.”
The promotion’s announcement comes in the light of Dana White’s bold assertion to TMZ that Helwani would no longer be permitted to cover UFC events on-site as long as he was president.
The organization also received criticism from multiple media outlets for its action, while some of the UFC’s fighters expressed their dismay over Helwani’s revocation on Twitter.
The veteran journalist, meanwhile, took to his own hosted show, MMA Hour, to air his side.
“Around that time frame something else happened. That’s the one thing I’m going to pass on, that’s the one thing I’m going to skip over. That’s the one thing I don’t want to get into, I don’t feel comfortable,” an emotional Helwani said during his live podcast.
“I will say this, though. It got physical. And that was hard, but I kept doing my job and I’m proud of my job and once again I was left on the island. And I hoped that better days were ahead,” he added. Khristian Ibarrola
