Longtime MMA reporter Ariel Helwani and the UFC have been at odds before. With the most notable being when the promotion eliminated his press credentials for a short time when he revealed the return of Brock Lesnar 🐭before the UFC did.
However, t🐼he UFC took another swing at Helwani when they personally had him removed from Showtime Sports, as he was brough🦩t aboard to help with coverage of the upcoming boxing super fight between UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather.
Helwani broke the news himself via Twitter:
Not🥃 working for anymore on the May/Mac tour. Just learned UFC specifically asked to have me remov🀅ed. Incredibly disappointed.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
Took red eye from NY to LA only൲ to get this news moments ago. Still credentialed for the tour and will also be in Toronto and NY. All good.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
I must thank and for the opportunity and for fighting for me. Really wis♚h this didn't happen, but alas ...
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
This was a dream opꦑpoওrtunity. I'm obviously very bummed but will keep on keeping on. Thank you, as always, for the support. Much love.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
Upon hearing of Helwไani’s removal from his Showtime Sports position, some folks from the MMA world have offered their opinion on the matter through T🧸witter:
that's very very unfortunate...such is life in MMA I suppose, 💝but that doesn't make it better
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah)
I wouldn't say ariel is negative...he's a jo🦂urnalist and reports on situations without sugar coating them. Doesn't play sides
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah)
Beyond idiotic and moronic. You ꩵare one of the best journalist in all of fighting. Athletes are lucky to have to be cover𝔍ed by you.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA)
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— James Moontasri (@jmoontasri)
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— Jocelyn J Lybarger (@mmajocelyn)
Nobody ꦍfrom the UFC or Showtime Sp♊orts have commented on the matter.
(Update: Ariel He🐷lwani just tweeted the following a short time ago.)
And in case there's any confusion, the decision to remove me from Showtime was 100% Da🌠na White's call. He fought for it and won, again.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
