Tag: Ariel Helwani

Daily Update: Paul-Mayweather, Ariel Helwani, Kazuchika Okada

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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  • Cloud based hosting experience a plus
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WON NEWSLETTER: June 7, 2021 Observer Newsletter: AEW Double or Nothing review, more WWE cuts

Double or Nothing is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. Match-by-match coverage, star ratings, poll results, surprising PPV numbers and reasons why it happened, the atmosphere, what did and didn’t work and the signing of Mark Henry and the situation with Lio Rush.

Also in this issue: 

WWE front office hires, their background, the shift in company strategy an how they fit in, as well as the reasons for the controversy regarding Jamie Horowitz and what happened when he was at FOX.

WWE cutting of Braun Strowman, Lana, Ruby Riott, Aleister Black, Murphy and Santana Garrett, reasons all were let go as well as the future prospects for all of them individually.

WWE schedule going forward, with the shows through September, the exclusive first word on plans for NXT going on the road, and a SummerSlam update.

New Japan/WWE talks, the history of Vince McMahon and booking of WWF talent in Japan when working with the Japanese, next Takeover show, more firings, U.K. and Canadian ratings, next week’s TV show and most-watched WWE videos.

A major feature on the life of 60s and 70s star Tony Marino, from his bodybuilding days to his start in wrestling, his international tours, the Battman gimmick from the Batman TV show, his biggest career shows, being part of setting the all-time indoor pro wrestling gate record for North America in 1970 and more.

More detail on ratings than any other source, how every segment on NXT and AEW did with different age groups and more, all other wrestling shows of the past week, how many different viewers the shows had which is very different from the television number, breakdown of who watches the shows, how they watch, DVR numbers and how long the average fan watches.

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

We have two weekend shows up. There is one show with Garrett Gonzalez going over all the news of the past week and AEW shows and then we have another show with Bryan Alvarez talking Smackdown, TV, tomorrow’s Dominion show, UFC, Smackdown and more.

The Kazuchika Okada interview we talked about on last night’s show previewing the Dominion match with Shingo Takagi over the vacant IWGP title.

For this week there was a lot of stuff that trended mainstream on Google, mostly related to tonight’s Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul fight. The fight was the No. 1 trend yesterday with 1 million searches, which is notable because usually these things are big only on fight day itself.  Last night’s UFC show with Jairzinho Rozenstruik knocking on Augusto Sakai in the first round was No 10 with 50,000.  On Friday, Mayweather vs. Paul was No. 1 with 2.5 million searches which is outright incredible for two days in advance.  On Wednesday, Braun Strowman was No. 5 at 200,000 due to his being released and Mayweather vs.Paul was No 12 with 100,000.  On Monday, Tyron Woodley was No. 6 at 200,000 and Jake Paul was No. 10 at 200,000.

The Mayweather vs Paul fight ended up with Paul weighing in at 189.5 pounds and he cut to make that weight. Mayweather was 155 and didn’t cut as he was contracted at 160. So legit Paul is probably going in with a 45 pound weight advantage. The card airs on Showtime PPV:

  • Mayweather vs. Logan Paul
  • Badou Jack vs. Dervin Colina
  • Jaret Hrud vs. Luis Arias
  • Chad Johnson (Chad Ochocinco) vs. Brian Maxwell – Johnson is an ex-NFL star making his boxing debut at 43 years old

New Japan Dominion takes place at 5 a.m. Eastern Monday morning from Osaka Jo Hall in what is traditionally one of the company’s big events of the year:

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii & Hirooki Goto & Sho & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Chase Owens & Evil & Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi & Douki vs. Tetsuya Naito & Sanada & Bushi
  • Desperado vs. Yoh for IWGP jr. title
  • Kota Ibushi vs. Jeff Cobb
  • Kazuchika Okiada vs. Shingo Takagi for the vacant IWGP title

Ariel Helwani said that his contract with ESPN ends a week from Tuesday and he’s not renewing. “I have some very exciting news to share about my future very soon.  Stay tuned for that. This was 100 percent my decision.”  Helwani explaining his decision on Instagram can be found here.

Awful Announcing talks about The Action Network as a destination for Helwani as well as that he would not be exclusive to them.

The A&E Biography series comes to a conclusion at 8 p.m. Eastern tonight with the episode on Bret Hart. The New York Post talked to Bret Hart about tonight’s show.

Warrior Wrestling from last night in Chicago Heights, IL before about 1,000 fans: Jake Something b Warhorse, Deonna Purrazzo b Ray Lyn, KC Navarro b Cole Radick, Beast Man b Kongo Kong, Matt Cardona b Sam Adonis, Kylie Rae b Holidead to retain the Warrior title. Rae did well in her return. Trey Miguel b Lee Morarity, the eight-man Lucha series with Aramis, Gringo Loco, Black Taurus, Dragon Bane, Arez, Canis Lupus, Golden Dragon, Laredo Kid, led to Aramis & Arez & Laredo Kid & Bane over Gringo Loco & Taurus & Lupus & Dragon, then Aramis & Arez over Laredo Kid & Bane and finally Aramis b Arez to become the first WW Lucha champion. They tore down the house for 25 straight minutes. This was said to probably be the best match in the history of the promotion. They still enforced mask rules and social  distancing but the weather was great and it looked to be their biggest crowd for an outdoor event to date. (thanks to Lance LeVine)

The University of South Florida police department issued a media alert saying they were looking for help identifying a suspect for grand theft for stealing things from the arena that WWE tapes Raw & Smackdown in on 5/22. If anyone has information they are asked to call the USF police at 813-974-2628.

WWE

  • A story on Paul Levesque in the pre-game ceremony for the Philadelphia 76ers today ringing the bell before the 76ers vs. Atlanta Hawks playoff game.
  • The promotion of SummerSlam as the first time the show has ever been in an NFL stadium is technically incorrect since Wembley Stadium hosted the show in 1992 and the NFL has been holding the International Series game at the stadium since 2007 and have a game scheduled there again in 2022 (thanks to David Taylor)

OTHER NEWS

  • Results of the key fights from last night’s KSW show in Gdansk, Poland, its first before a live crowd in more than one year:
    Mariusz Pudzianowski (15-7) beat Lukasz Jurkowski (17-12) via TKO from punches 1:23 of round three
    Salahdine Parnasse (15-1-1) beat Filip Pejic (15-5-2) via choke 4:14 of round two
    Darko Stosic (15-4) beat Michal Kita (20-13-1) via knockout 4:05 or round one
    Patrik Kinci (24-9) beat Thomasz Rmanowski9 (13-8) via TKO from punches 3:36 of round two
    Roman Szymanski (14-6) beat Donovan Desmae (14-7) via decision 30-27, 29-28, 29-28
    Karolina Owczarc (4-1) beat Monika Kucinic (1-1) via decision 30-27, 30-27, 29-28
    Ivan Ersian (10-1) beat Przemyslaw Mysiaala (24-11-1) via TKO from punches 4:02 round one
    Damian Stasiak (13-7) beat Andrewy Lezhnev (19-10) via submission for a triangle choke 2:41 of round one
    Adam Niedzwiedz (8-4) beat Jakub Kamieniarz (9-8) via arm triangle submissions 4:32 of round two
  • The weekend CWE Adrenaline TV show.
  • World League Wrestling from last night in Troy, MO:  Kyle Roberts b Jon Webb, Brandon Espinosa b Colton Theron Vaught, Moose Powell b Camaro Jackson, Leland Race b Stephan Newton, Superstar Steve Fender b Derek Stone, Rahim de la Suede won three-way over Jayden Dominic Rose and Sean Patrick (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • Billy Scott, a star with the UWFi in the 90s, is coming out of retirement for the first time in ten years facing Dominic Garrini for Paradigm Pro Wrestling on 7/9 in Indianapolis at the Marion County Fairgrounds.  The show is part of a weekend of shows that will include ICW No Holds Barred, Asylum Wrestling Revolution and No Peace Underground Wrestling, with all shows airing on IWTV.  Scott vs. Garrini will be under a modern version of UWFi rules.  Scott was a protege of Billy Robinson and best known for winning a mixed match over former world cruiserweight boxing champion James Warring.
  • Jody Fleisch and Laura Di Matteo will return to Progress on the next show which airs on 6/19 on Peacock and WWE Network.
  • AAW on 6/11 at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park, IL at 7:30 p.m. has Mance Warner vs. Jake Something for the AAW title, Kris Statlander vs. The Hyan for the AAW women’s title, Manders & Matthew Justice vs. Deonn Rusman & Joeasa for the AAW tag titles, AJZ vs. Schaff, Josh Alexander vs. Mat Fitchett, Fred Yehi vs. Lio Rush plus Myron Reed, Ace Austin, Madman Fulton, Davey Vega, John E. Bravo, Hakim Zane, Gringo Loco and more.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Shawn Michaels wins Intercontinental title

CONTACT INFORMATION

ESPN’s Ariel Helwani to appear on WWE NXT TakeOver pre-show

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A special guest has been announced for this Sunday’s NXT TakeOver: WarGames pre-show.

During tonight’s episode of NXT, it was announced that ESPN mixed martial arts reporter Ariel Helwani will be appearing on the TakeOver: WarGames pre-show this Sunday. He’ll be appearing with hosts Wade Barrett and Sam Roberts.

Helwani is a longtime professional wrestling fan. He’s been with ESPN since departing MMA Fighting in 2018.

The TakeOver pre-show will begin at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, leading into TakeOver starting at 7 p.m. Eastern. In addition to the WWE Network, the pre-show will air on WWE’s digital platforms.

Here’s the full card for TakeOver: WarGames:

  • WarGames match: Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish) vs. Team McAfee (Pat McAfee, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch)
  • WarGames match: Team Shotzi (Shotzi Blackheart, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley & NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai) vs. Team Candice (Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez & Toni Storm)
  • NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff defends his title against Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest in a triple threat match
  • Strap match: Dexter Lumis vs. Cameron Grimes
  • Tommaso Ciampa vs. Timothy Thatcher

Conor McGregor breaks silence in lengthy Ariel Helwani interview

Posted on by Josh Nason

For the first time in 10 months, former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor talked to a media member, conducting a lengthy televised interview Thursday night with Ariel Helwani that aired on ESPN2.

McGregor, who did the interview via satellite from Dublin, Ireland, was more subdued than in the past, showing little bravado or any of the over the top character that endeared himself to so many while also making him reviled by some.

The big takeaway: he wants to return to fighting and is looking forward to his “triumphant return”.

Some of the highlights:

– Helwani led off with questions about the recent TMZ video released from April showing McGregor punching a man in a Dublin bar for refusing a shot of his whiskey. McGregor said, “I was in the wrong. I must take accountability and responsibility.” Helwani said the video was grainy and asked if he indeed punched that man which McGregor dodged, instead reiterating that he is trying to get back on the right path. “I have to wait and see what happens and will face it head on. What happens, I will face.”

– Helwani asked about the cell phone issue outside the Miami, FL, nightclub and McGregor said the issue was resolved but he was in the wrong.

– McGregor referenced comebacks by Nate Diaz, Stipe Miocic, and Urijah Faber as fuel for his eventual comeback which would be “the greatest one of them all”.

– McGregor did show some fire when asked about his retirement tweet. He said how much he’s fought through injuries in his career and referenced how he broke his left hand sparring in May while preparing for a July fight at MSG. Without the injury, he said he would have fought for sure. The opponent? “It was leaning toward Justin Gaethje at the time.”

– He said he has a great business relationship with the UFC while admitting the discussion about a co-main event against Donald Cerrone was a bump in the road.

– He said he loves watching MMA from the prelims through the main event which is why he tweets so much about fights. “It’s my game. I love it dearly.”

– He said he’d welcome the third fight with Nate Diaz, but doesn’t blame Diaz if he doesn’t want it because of the damage both men took in the first two fights. 

– When talking about who he wants to return against, he said, “I want my world title back. The camp (for Khabib Nurmagomedov) wasn’t correct. He ran away that first round.” He said his training sessions were too serious and when he left, he would leave it all behind. “You can’t be half in.” He also said his foot was a “balloon” in that fight, reiterating the foot injury he’s claimed he had.

– He then added he’ll fight anyone in his return, naming Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier if he beats Khabib, Gaethje, Jose Aldo, and others. 

– When asked true/false if he fights this year, McGregor said “true” and hopefully at the end of the year, saying he’s been cleared for grappling. 

– He said John Kavanaugh will be in his corner when he fights again, admitting he was taken aback when Kavanaugh said he hadn’t watched the fight back. 

– Helwani asked him about Holloway’s visit to Dublin and some of his posts on social media. McGregor said he would welcome that fight again, adding that he could feel himself almost taking the bait. In the same breath, he mentioned how much he likes and respects Frankie Edgar.

McGregor last fought in October 2018 in a fourth round submission loss to UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov.

Left My Wallet: Ariel Helwani on Ronda’s WWE run, ESPN, the Knicks

Posted on by Antonio Garza

“Left My Wallet” is back with return of ESPN’s Ariel Helwani!

Ariel is back to talk about the current state of his beloved New York Knicks, Zion Williamson, the fear of not signing both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the current state of the NBA, and some of the young up-and-coming fun teams he loves to watch.

Then, the talk turns to his thoughts on Ronda Rousey’s run in WWE thus far. Ariel has some candid thoughts on her year in pro wrestling and what he would like to see more of from her. We also talk about his thoughts on the current product, Wrestlemania, All Elite Wrestling, and what he’s watching now.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t talk some MMA with the foremost mixed martial arts reporter today. Ariel discusses the new deal with ESPN, what he loves about it, his dislikes with Fox sports coverage of the UFC, how he’s loving the earlier start times, what fights he would like to see made, and what have been his favorite shows to cover as a journalist.

Click below to listen:

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Becky Lynch talks Ronda Rousey, Conor McGregor with Ariel Helwani

Posted on by Josh Nason

WWE SmackDown women’s champion Becky Lynch was a guest on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, discussing a range of subjects from her rise to stardom in WWE to Ronda Rousey.

The interview floated a bit more on the kayfabe side, but still had a few nuggets for fans:

  • The two discussed her recent rise to stardom in WWE and what she attributes it to.
  • She said she didn’t remember anything after she got punched in the face by Nia Jax and went into autopilot. “It turns out my autopilot is a bad ass too.”
  • He asked about their Twitter war and how she went after Rousey’s handling of her UFC losses. This answer was more in kayfabe and was more about Lynch sees being a champion. 
  • She talked about how she got her nickname “The Man” from her friend and author Paul O’Brien and responded to the criticism she sometimes gets from women by using the nickname.
  • Despite being Twitter pals with Conor McGregor, she hasn’t met him. She said she trained off and on at SBG, but never considered going into MMA because wrestling was her passion. She thinks she might drop by when she goes home around Christmas.
  • She said she’d love to main event a show in Ireland’s Croke Park.

Watch the whole interview below:

MMA reporter and personality Ariel Helwani joining ESPN

Posted on by Josh Nason

On Thursday, ESPN officially announced that MMA journalist and insider Ariel Helwani will be joining the company in June.

He will have a variety of roles with ESPN as new upper management continues to try to attract younger viewers for its programming:

– He will host “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show”, an ongoing podcast. The frequency and length of the show wasn’t disclosed.

– Along with Chael Sonnen, he will co-host “Ariel & The Bad Guy”, a weekly 30-minute digital show for the ESPN+ platform that will also include some pre and post shows for events. This was specifically highlighted in the news release which indicates their commitment to it.

– He will be a reporter for MMA across ESPN’s TV and digital platforms.

Recently, the UFC announced a deal with ESPN+ to air 15 shows on the upstart OTT network. Helwani has clashed with UFC president Dana White in the past, especially during the days when Helwani was working for UFC broadcast partner Fox Sports. Issues arose over time that resulted in the two sides parting ways, the circumstances of which Helwani discussed on his ‘MMA Hour’ show.

White had Helwani removed from the Showtime broadcast team for the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor build-up, so how this relationship will work going forward will be something to watch.

For MMA Fighting, this leaves a big gap in coverage as Helwani gave the company four hours every Monday of interviews on ‘The MMA Hour’, his preview and post-fight shows for select events, anchoring ‘The MMA Beat’ and more. While they still have depth, losing someone of Helwani’s reach and stature will hurt in the short term as things get settled out.

I Left My Wallet In Greg Polanco: Ariel Helwani

Posted on by Antonio Garza

“I Left My Wallet In Greg Polanco” kicks off your Monday with host of the MMA Hour and journalist for MMAFighting.com, Ariel Helwani.

The Montreal, Quebec, Canada, native joined the show to talk his beloved Expos, the heartbreak the franchise moving brought him, interviewing Tim Raines, covering Expos spring training in their final year in 2004, trips to Olympic Stadium, the history of baseball in Montreal, his favorite Expos of all time, and more.

Helwani is also a huge pro wrestling fan and tells of what intrigued him abut the business as a young child. He talks about interviewing Bobby Heenan, his pro wrestling/MMA show at Syracus, his friendship with Paul Heyman and CM Punk, his favorite performers, and more.

Finally, we round out this hour long chat talking about the love he has for the NBA and his New York Knicks. We talk Patrick Ewing, Carmelo, the current state of the franchise, Kristaps Porzingas, the Phil Jackson regime, James Dolan, and even his outlook for the NBA Playoffs.

Ariel has been a longtime fan and subscriber of the Wrestling Observer so it’s an honor to have him as a guest. Enjoy!

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#PunkWeek: CM Punk talks his weight cut, the WWE locker room, and much more

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Before entering the Octagon for his first ever mixed martial arts bout against Mickey Gall at UFC 203 on Saturday, CM Punk met with his friend Ariel Helwani for this year’s edition of their annual sit-down interview.

Of note, Punk seemed to be having a difficult time dealing with having to cut weight for the fight. Helwani asked Punk how much he currently weighed, but Punk wouldn’t reveal the answer.

“When does this come out?” Punk asked. “It’s a thing I gotta do, it’s not going so well I guess.”

Punk said the process wasn’t fun, and he’s never done a weight cut before. Punk noted that he hadn’t done a practice weight cut for the fight and hasn’t been working with a nutritionist. Punk claimed that the last time he weighed 171 lbs was in high school or eighth grade, but he wasn’t worried about making weight for the fight.

In addition, Punk’s former career in professional wrestling was often a point of discussion during the interview. Punk said that it was “poetic” that he would be fighting at Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena, the same place where he walked out of WWE.

Punl noted that the arena was the same place where Bob Holly had punched him in the eye as hard as he could during Punk’s first Christmas house show loop with the company, but Punk said that he loved Holly, and that the business needed more guys like him right now.

When asked by Helwani to clarify the comment, Punk responded, “There’s nobody in that locker room that…like to me there’s nobody in that locker room that’s, in a good way, an enforcer.”

Helwani asked Punk to reveal what his walkout song would be, but Punk said that he still hasn’t made his final decision. Punk said that there are three songs that he’s considering, and “Cult of Personality” is still on the table as an option.

After alleging that Vince McMahon was bankrolling a lawsuit against him in an interview on AXS TV’s Inside MMA, Punk again touched on the subject during his interview with Helwani.

Punk said he wanted to move on in regards to his old life, but there were people who wanted to keep sucking him back in. Helwani asked if he was referring to fans, but Punk said he was referencing the lawsuit.

“I just mean the silly, the silly bankrolled lawsuit,” Punk said. “It’s designed to get me to spend money, that’s what it’s doing.”

The full almost 40-minute long conversation is available to watch below:

JNPO: UFC’s Jon Anik on UFC 199, Kimbo, Ariel Helwani & Brock

Posted on by Josh Nason

Get a chance to catch your breath yet this week? From news to results to death and everything in between, the MMA faithful had enough to fill their cups and then some in the last seven days.

Helping host Josh Nason make sense of it all is UFC play-by-play man, studio host, and Anik & Florian podcast co-host Jon Anik!

Josh and Jon discussed the divergent paths of Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson from UFC 100 to UFC 199, the somewhat buried story of Urijah Faber possibly retiring, the public reverence for the passing of Kimbo Slice and Muhammad Ali this week, thoughts on the return of Brock Lesnar and his chances against Mark Hunt, a little on Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor II, and even a question about his friend and former co-worker Ariel Helwani.

Listen to all that and more in the 41st episode of Josh Nason’s Punch-Out.

Show notes: Here is John Pollock’s MMA week in review discussed in the show’s closing.

>>>Click below to listen or right click to download:

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UFC lifts ban on Ariel Helwani, MMAFighting.com

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

In a statement released tonight by UFC, the ban on Ariel Helwani and others at MMAFighting.com is no more.

“Following a conversation with with the editorial team at SB Nation, UFC willl not prevent MMAFighting.com from receving 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 adequatly 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.”

UFC had come under fire in the last 24 hours after Helwani took his story to several mainstream media outlets. The wording of the statement is curious as they are still clearly unhappy with Helwani. 

Ariel Helwani speaks out about UFC 199 incident

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

After the events of UFC 199 that saw veteran journalist and MMA personality Ariel Helwani, as well as Casey Leydon and Esther Lin, have their UFC credentials pulled because Helwani broke the news that Brock Lesnar was returning to the Octagon, the Canadian reporter was a guest on several high-profile sports shows Monday giving his side of things.

The day began on The Dan Patrick Showwhere he addressed the incident that occurred between he and UFC officials, specifically Dana White. Here are the bullet points from the interview that went about 15 minutes or so:

  • Dan Patrick, when leading into the interview, said UFC was reached for comment and refused. Dana just said that Ariel was “too negative”
  • Helwani said that he first reported that Conor-Nate was finalized and was told that he had jumped the gun. A couple hours later, they made the announcement.  He says that he’s batting 1.000 on breaking stories
  • He then reported that Brock was coming back at 5 pm pacific (about 3 hours prior to UFC announcing it during the PPV)
  • He was approached right before the main event and told that Dana White wanted to see him. He first refused to go. Then someone else came and told him that he had to come now. He brought his videographer with him and they went and saw White. Dana told him “get out of here, you’re done. Go cover Bellator or something, you’re done here” “you’re too negative and Lorenzo Fertita is not a fan of yours and he made the call to kick you out of here”. A PR person told Ariel that he should’ve asked UFC for a comment before running with the story
  • Ariel thanked Dana for everything he’d done and hoped he’d reconsider at some point. At that point, he and his co-workers were escorted from the building.
  • He said that Dana was “very upset” and that his face was red. He also speculated that perhaps White didn’t really want to do this. On multiple occasions, he said that this was Lorenzo’s call and that he is finished and will never cover this organization again
  • Patrick asked Helwani about getting dropped from FOX. Ariel said that it’s “100% fact” that he was dropped because UFC told them to.  Over the last few months of his time at FOX, he was criticized for “out-scooping” UFC on stories.
  • He brought up the fact that other journalists have had to go through this but didn’t mention their names
  • Dan Patrick offered to apply for a credential for the next UFC show and then hire Ariel to be his MMA correspondent. Ariel kind of chuckled that one off.  He speculated that UFC would probably deny the request anyway
  • He said that he needs to get the word out about what journalists are having to go through when dealing with UFC.
  • Patrick finished the segment by saying that they reached out to UFC but they never got back to the show producer

He then did similar spots on the Dan LeBetard Show, the Tony Marinaro show on TSN radio in Montreal, and The Rich Eisen Show.

Then, it was time for The MMA Hour where he went for two hours explaining a sordid and confusing relationship with the UFC and Fox that included praise, physical assault, and revelations:

Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez discuss the Brock Lesnar story in a breaking news audio update, available now for subscribers.  Lesnar’s opponent at UFC 200 will be Mark Hunt, as announced today on ESPN Sportscentre. The bout will take place July 9th at the T-Mobile Arena as part of International Fight Week, the same week as this website’s annual convention.