UFC Lifts Ban On MMA Journalist Ariel Helwani, Issues Statement

dana-white-ariel-helwani

Well, that didn’t last long.

After kicking veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani and two of his MMAFighting.com associates out of the UFC 199 pay-per-view at The Forum in Inglewood, California this past Saturday evening prior to Michael Bisping’s shocking upset over Luke Rockhold in the main event, taking his media credential and banning he and the MMA Fighting website for life, UFC has apparently lifted the ban.

On his “MMA Hour” program at MMA Fighting on Monday afternoon, a very emotional Helwani spoke at length about the incident at UFC 199, his being fired from FOX Sports and a lot of other incidents he has had along the way with the UFC and others.

On Monday evening, UFC issued a statement via their official website, UFC.com, which reads as follows:

“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.”

https://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/739935000699752448

dana-white-ariel-helwani

Well, that didn’t last long.

After kicking veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani and two of his MMAFighting.com associates out of the UFC 199 pay-per-view at The Forum in Inglewood, California this past Saturday evening prior to Michael Bisping’s shocking upset over Luke Rockhold in the main event, taking his media credential and banning he and the MMA Fighting website for life, UFC has apparently lifted the ban.

On his “MMA Hour” program at MMA Fighting on Monday afternoon, a very emotional Helwani spoke at length about the incident at UFC 199, his being fired from FOX Sports and a lot of other incidents he has had along the way with the UFC and others.

On Monday evening, UFC issued a statement via their official website, UFC.com, which reads as follows:

“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.”