After an unpredictable night of fights at UFC 199, the biggest story of the night became the lifetime ban of MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani.
UFC 199 marked the first time the UFC hosted an event in LA’s most storied arena, The Forum, and with that came a few challenges. One of those challenges was limited space for the media but the UFC did a nice job fitting us all into a locker room-esque area.
As we do before most fights, the media watched the preliminary matches from the press room; talking, eating and commenting on what we see on the screen. During this time Ariel was breaking some of the biggest MMA news of the year. Ariel used his ninja-like journalism skills because no one actually saw him posting these breaking news headlines and we only knew he did them when they came strolling across our Twitter feeds.
Every time he broke a new story, he was the first to confirm McGregor-Diaz 2 and Brock Lesnar at UFC 200, we all looked over at him as he tried his hardest to keep a straight face.
A few times he broke character and gave us the Jordan shrug and we knew it was just Ariel doing what Ariel does. There is a reason the man is atop the MMA world and why fans stop him for pictures and autographs at weigh-ins. He, amongst others I frequently see at UFC events, are the best in the world at what they do. (Yes, I stole a Chris Jericho line.)
This night was different though, not only for the insane upset victories by Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping but because Ariel Helwani was uncharacteristically absent from the latter.
It didn’t take long for the MMA world to learn why.
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) June 5, 2016
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.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016
The shock of hearing that one of the sport’s best journalist is banned for life swept over social media. Many immediately attacked the UFC for their haste and unjust punishment. Others reflected on previous times such rulings were handed down.
Helwani is by far the most powerful and popular journalist in MMA history. No one gave a crap about anyone else being banned. Maybe now?
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) June 5, 2016
Loretta was with SI and the LA Times. Gross with SI and ESPN. I was with BR and CNN. UFC doesn't care. They'll target anyone and any outlet
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) June 5, 2016
Known Banned Media: Josh Gross, Loretta Hunt, Sherdog (rescinded), Cage Potato, Jonathan Snowden, Deadspin, Ariel Helwani.
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) June 5, 2016
For those who are blindsided or shocked by this news, I hope these tweets by Jonathan Snowden open your eyes to the precedent set by the UFC.
As journalists we know that writers have been banned before and we work everyday knowing that we toe razor-thin line, which can’t be said of journalist in the other major American sports.
With that being said, what Ariel did was not egregious and finding sources, confirming reports and stating them as “negotiations” was the highest form of professionalism a journalist can maintain for the organisation they cover.
It’s understandable that the UFC wanted a grand reveal, or “pop” in wrestling terms, but this isn’t the WWE. The UFC is a sport with professional athletes and highly trained journalist.
The time is now for the UFC to understand that they are entering the range of the MLB, NBA and NFL. They aren’t sports entertainment and the people covering the sport will not treat them as such. So pardon Ariel for breaking the MMA world’s version of kayfabe by doing his job to its highest degree.
In the end the UFC will still do monster numbers for UFC 200 & UFC 202 and the buzz around the events will be bigger than ever. Does it really matter if Ariel Helwani started that buzz 2 hours before their promo videos?
The UFC clearly gave us their answer to that question.