Tag: Ariel Helwani

Joaquin Buckley awkwardly bails on MMA Hour interview after accusing Ariel Helwani of using UFC fighters

Joaquin Buckley awkwardly bails on MMA Hour interview after accusing Ariel Helwani of using UFC fightersThings got a little intense between welterweight standout Joaquin Buckley and Ariel Helwani during Monday’s episode of The MMA…

Joaquin Buckley awkwardly bails on MMA Hour interview after accusing Ariel Helwani of using UFC fighters

Things got a little intense between welterweight standout Joaquin Buckley and Ariel Helwani during Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour.

Fresh off his second-round knockout of Vicente Luque at UFC Atlantic City, ‘New Mansa’ made an appearance on Helwani’s show to discuss his big win and what may be next.

Joaquin Buckley vs. Vicente Luque

Along the way, Buckley called out Helwani, accusing the multi-time award-winning journalist of using loaded questions to weaponize fighters against the UFC.

“You’ve been in the business for a long time,” Buckley began. “Obviously, you have respect for what you do and you do it very well. You’ve got a lot of facts about the UFC and different fighters, but personally, I feel like when we come on your show, you try to use us as a weapon against the UFC, right?

“You use your platform, but you try to set us up lowkey with certain questions when those conversations and what you’re trying to talk about could get us in trouble.”

Ariel Helwani responds to Joaquin Buckley’s accusation

Helwani was quick to disagree with Buckley’s statement, respectfully responding with:

“Honestly, I don’t agree. I’ve been doing this show since 2009. You think I’m trying to make the fighters look bad? I’ve been doing this for 15 years and I have the fighters on because I love the fighters and respect the fighters and I want to give them an opportunity to tell their story and be able to learn more.

“I want to learn more and I hope that other people learn more when they hear from you guys. I’m not trying to weaponize anything. That would be crazy and I would be wasting my life doing anything like that.”

Joaquin Buckley on The MMA Hour

Helwani went on to ask Buckley for specific examples. It was then that Buckley promptly said that he was “through” and exited the interview, bringing an end to the awkward incident.

You can watch Joaquin Buckley’s full appearance on The MMA Hour by jumping to the 33-minute mark of the below embed:

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards is ‘top choice’ for UFC 300 main event, DDP vs. Adesanya also rumored

UFC 300Ariel Helwani dropped a potential bombshell on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, revealing that the UFC is frantically…

UFC 300

Ariel Helwani dropped a potential bombshell on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, revealing that the UFC is frantically working to put together a welterweight title clash between reigning champion Leon Edwards and undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev for the UFC 300 main event.

After making a series of fast and furious announcements regarding April 13th’s massive landmark event in Las Vegas, UFC CEO Dana White has gone radio silent. According to Helwani, the promotion knows which fight they want to announce for the highly anticipated headliner, but securing Chimaev’s entry into the United States is becoming increasingly difficult.

“If the UFC had their way… If they could snap their fingers and make the biggest fight in their mind happen — and the fight that they’ve been working on happen — and have their say as to what is the main event for UFC 300, I think that they would make Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev. I believe when Dana White is talking bout the hurdles and the issues, I believe that’s about securing Khamzat’s ability to fight in the United States.

“This has been rumored for quite some time that he has issues coming over to the States. The last time he fought here was in Jacksonville almost two years ago. I believe that’s been part of the holdup. If they can’t secure that matchup, I believe they would look at Khamzat vs. [Dricus Du Plessis], but I think the top choice is Leon vs. Khamzat.”

Chimaev’s struggles to obtain a temporary work visa could be related to his close relationship with the Head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov. Frequently employing totalitarian and repressive tactics in his rule, Kadyrov has come under criticism for a wide array of human rights abuses, including forced disappearance, torture, assassinations, and anti-gay purges in his country. He has also played a role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The UFC is circling multiple potential headliners for April 13

Depending on how things play out with Khamzat Chimaev, the UFC has a few contingency plans in place according to Helwani. Aside from the heavily rumored middleweight title tilt between the newly crowned king of the division — Dricus Du Plessis — and former two-time champ Israel Adesanya, the UFC is also keeping a potential 170-pound showdown between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad in its back pocket.

We will go out on a limb and say that Edwards vs. Muhammad is likely the least enticing option for both the promotion and the fans. Of course, the prospect of Khamzat Chimaev’s return to welterweight will certainly raise some eyebrows. After all, the last time he was scheduled to compete in the weight class, he stepped on the scale eight pounds over the limit.

Which potential headliner would you most be excited to see at UFC 300?

Ariel Helwani Snaps Back at Dana White Over His Report on UFC Saudi Arabia Postponement: ‘It’s an Ego Thing’

Ariel Helwani responds to Dana WhiteRenowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has once again found himself in a pissing contest with Dana White. Earlier this…

Ariel Helwani responds to Dana White

Renowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has once again found himself in a pissing contest with Dana White.

Earlier this month, Helwani reported that the UFC’s anticipated debut in Saudi Arabia, originally scheduled for March 2, was being pushed to June after Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the country’s General Entertainment Authority, was not pleased with the card being put together by White and his matchmakers.

During his appearance at the UFC 297 post-fight press conference, White called the report “total b*llshit” and a “straight-out f*cking lie,” claiming that it was he who opted to push the event back in hopes of delivering a much better card for the promotion’s debut in Riyadh.

Helwani took a few moments to respond to the UFC CEO’s claim on Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour.

“He’s essentially confirming my report,” Helwani said. “He’s saying it wasn’t good enough. He’s saying he wasn’t happy with the card and so he decided to move it. So ultimately, it’s a bit of an ego thing. It’s like, ‘No, no, no. I decided to move this. No one told me because no one tells me what to do. I decided to move it.’

“Over the last five or so years, has the UFC done anything like this? Have they said, ‘Oh, this card isn’t good enough, we’re moving it.’ No. They make lemonade out of lemons. They make chicken salad out of chicken sh*t. They make it happen. Fights were signed. People had reported them, but [the UFC] hadn’t officially announced anything. That is how it went down. Even Jairzhinho Rozenstruk (who was scheduled to fight Shamil Gaziev at the event) told me about this. He tweeted the same thing. His manager tweeted the same thing.

“Things were happening. Fights were signed, but ultimately, the powers that be in Saudi Arabia said this card isn’t good enough. Let us live to fight another day and push this to June when they’re doing other big events.”

Ariel Helwani is Not Trying to be ‘A Thorn’ in the side of Dana White

During a recent interview with DAZN, Alalshikh revealed that he has spoken to the UFC about booking Conor McGregor for the recently rescheduled event, or another future UFC Saudi card. It’s hard to imagine the UFC putting its prized cash cow on a Fight Night card but with the Saudis reportedly paying $20 million to bring in the Las Vegas-based promotion, it’s probably safe to assume that they, and not Dana White, are the ones calling the shots.

“This is all just spin,” Helwani continued. “He’s essentially saying what I told you. The card wasn’t good enough. He’s just saying it was his call as opposed to their call because he doesn’t want it to seem like anyone is telling them what to do. This is unique because Saudi Arabia are the only ones out there who can do this sort of thing because they’re paying $20 million, as it’s been reported, to have these cards. Given that investment, they want a certain standard.”

The event initially set to emanate from the Saudi Arabian capital included the return of undefeated flyweight prospect Muhammad Mokaev, and a middleweight scrap between Eryk Anderson and Jamie Pickett.

“[Dana White] knows who reported it,” Helwani added. “That bothers him. I’m not trying to be a thorn. I’m just trying to report the news. I reported the news not happening, being moved because it wasn’t good enough.”

Dana White set to hold secret ‘Rabbitt in the hat’ fight for massive UFC 300 card: ‘They’re trying to make this as special as can be’

Dana White set to pull rabbit from the card for massive UFC 300 card in AprilMMA journalist Ariel Halwani casts doubt on the potential success of the upcoming UFC 300 card.  While the recently…

Dana White set to pull rabbit from the card for massive UFC 300 card in April

MMA journalist Ariel Halwani casts doubt on the potential success of the upcoming UFC 300 card. 

While the recently announce fights of Jiri Prochazka Vs. Aleksandar Rakic, Calvin Kattar Vs. Aljamain Sterling and Bo Nickal Vs. Cody Brundage are all great fights, the promise of a monumental event has not yet been met.  These three fights would fit nicely on a solid PPV main card but fans are still left waiting for a breath-taking announcement for the upcoming UFC 300 card. 

The event is still some time away, taking place on April 14 in Las Vegas, Nevada, but fans expectations will be high heading into it. 

Ariel Helwani discusses UFC 300 card options

With McGregor’s return being delayed for so long, thee was rumour that it would was because him Against Michael Chandler was being saved for UFC 300. This is not the case however, McGregor will instead come back on June 29. 

With no obvious mega-fight out there to headline the 300 card, Helwani would discuss the situation on The MMA Hour and would question the UFC’s choice.

“Remember, I told you a long time ago I don’t feel like they want him on 300 because they feel like they can get their big number just by 300 alone, just by that number alone,” Helwani said. “Stack the deck with as many big fights as possible, and then you get them later on down the line International Fight Week, whatever it is, and you get two bites at that million buy apple, so to speak. I personally think it’s a little bit of a mistake given the landscape right now, given who’s available, given the big names fighting 298, 299, 297, I don’t see the big fight out there.” (H/T MiddleEasy)

Helwani would also list several other notable names that the UFC have recently relied on to sell PPVs, but none are available

“I asked around about Izzy, I don’t think he’ll be on there,” Helwani continued. “There’s some talk about Izzy-Pereira, I don’t think that’s gonna happen, maybe that changes. There’s some talk about Masvidal, right? Masvidal, he came out and said, ‘Unretired.’ Masvidal’s not on that card.”

“There was some talk about Nate Diaz, Diaz isn’t on that card. His future plans don’t include the UFC, and in particular 300.”

Do you agree with Ariel Helwani? 

Ariel Helwani Claims Ngannou-Fury Fight Brought in Over 400,000 Buys Worldwide: ‘You’re ignoring all these numbers’

Ariel HelwaniRenowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani is disputing recent reports that Francis Ngannou’s professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury in…

Ariel Helwani

Renowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani is disputing recent reports that Francis Ngannou’s professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury in Riyadh bombed.

Since walking away from an offer that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC history, Francis Ngannou has been continuously doubted. Fans and even some of his peers thought he was foolish for turning down Dana White’s offer. Many claimed he “fumbled the bag” after turning down massive deals with the BKFC and ONE Championship.

Even after signing a ground-breaking deal with the Professional Fighters League and bagging a big-money fight with Fury, ‘The Predator’ was still the subject of significant criticism.

Now, the boo-birds have a new narrative, reporting that Ngannou’s critically acclaimed performance against ‘The Gypsy King’ only brought in 67,000 pay-per-view buys. Everywhere you turn, that number, which was first reported by Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer, seems to be all anyone wants to talk about.

However, Ariel Helwani says that’s only one small piece of the puzzle.

During Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour, Helwani reiterated that the numbers being reported by Meltzer only include purchases of the event on ESPN+ and through U.S. cable and satellite providers, completely ignoring how the event did around the world.

“The new thing is that [Ngannou] bombed on pay-per-view,” Helwani began. “Let me explain a couple of things to you because there’s a lot of new people to the fight game. Number one; the A-side was Tyson Fury so if anyone is to be blamed, it’s Tyson, and he should not be blamed. I believe the way they announced it. Having it on Saturday afternoon… All these things are factors, but that doesn’t even matter because I see a lot of people posting this 67,000 number and using that as some sort of gotcha moment.

“That number that you keep seeing parrotted around isn’t the entire actual number, and I can’t believe I even have to sit here and explain this to all of you,” Helwani continued. “Again, the guy who was never even arguing in favor of the pay-per-view or not. It’s ESPN+ and U.S. numbers. That’s what that number is from Dave Meltzer who’s been doing this for a very long time.

“My sources tell me it’s a little bit above that, but let’s just say it’s nowhere above 100,000. That’s the ESPN+ on Saturday afternoon and American pay-per-view numbers. Completely ignoring the fact that it also on TNT Sports Box Office, aka the network formerly known as BT Sport, in the U.K. where Tyson is his biggest draw. That’s where he has the most drawing power. Ignoring that… Ignoring the Canada number, which I don’t think is a massive one, and ignoring the DAZN number which is everywhere, but the U.S., the U.K., and Ireland. You’re ignoring all these numbers.”

Ariel Helwani Offers His Global Estimate for Fury vs. Ngannou

So what exactly are those numbers? According to Helwani, the total number of pay-per-view buys is, at minimum, 400,000, but is likely to be significantly higher once all the receipts roll in.”

“Those numbers are still not 100 percent, but I can tell you with great certainty right now, and I’m being extremely conservative when I say this, the number you should be throwing in my face isn’t 67,000. It’s not even 100,000. The number you should be throwing in my face is 400,000, and I feel very confident it will be above that,” Helwani said.

“That’s at its base. 400k. You’re not seeing that number parrotted around and that’s fine. You might be saying, ‘400k? That’s nothing compared to what the UFC does.’ Okay, maybe, but that would also make it the highest-selling pay-per-view involving an MMA fighter in an event not promoted by the UFC.

“Obviously [Conor] McGregor and [Floyd] Mayweather did way more, but it was also promoted by the UFC.”

Ariel Helwani Reignites Rivalry with MMA Manager Ali Abdelaziz on Social Media: ‘At Least I Can Get On a Plane’

Ariel HelwaniIt’s safe to say there is no long lost between renowned combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani and Dominance MMA…

Ariel Helwani

It’s safe to say there is no long lost between renowned combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani and Dominance MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz.

Over the last couple of years, Helwani and Abdelaziz have traded jabs with one another on social media. Recently, Abdelaziz went after Helwani after The MMA Hour host claimed in a post on Saturday that UFC lightweight champion Islam Makahchev, who Abdelaziz represents, would headline UFC 297 in January against former 155-pound champion Charles Oliveira.

“The current plan – though not finalized just yet – is to have Islam Makhachev x Charles Oliveira 2 – headline UFC 297,” Helwani wrote on X. “That event, while not officially announced yet, is currently slated to Jan. 20 in Toronto. The original plan for that main was Volkanovski x Topuria, but now the plan is for that to be on the February PPV. Raquel Pennington x Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant 135 title also scheduled for that January card, as reported yesterday.”

Abdelaziz quickly sought to debunk Ariel Helwani’s scoop writing, “Fake news @MAKHACHEVMMA fighting Charles Oliveira in January.”

He then followed that up with another post attacking Ariel Helwani head on. “Guys, please don’t listen to people can’t even get credentials to UFC events fake news bitch,” Abdelaziz added.

It didn’t take long for Ariel Helwani to snap back at Abdelaziz, nothing the embattled MMA manager’s travel ban issues.

In March, it was reported that Abdelaziz no longer allowed to travel outside of the United States without notifying authorities due to being dropped as an NYPD informant in the past. Born in Egypt, Abdelaziz has established himself as one of the sports most prominent managers with a client list that includes Kamaru Usman, Justin Gaethje, Kayla Harrison, and Islam Makhachev.

In 2002, Abdelaziz was imprisioned for document forgery. While locked up, he was recruited by the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence to work undercover within a Virginia-based arm of a group called Muslims of America. Abdelaziz became one of agency’s highest-paid informants at the time, reportedly earning hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process.

Ariel Helwani Recounts Physical Altercation with Albedlaziz at UFC Event

This is far from the first time that Ariel Helwani and Ali Abdelaziz have traded jabs with one another. UFC 271 nearly saw the two combat sports personalities trade blows for real after walking by one another backstage. The initial altercation began when Helwani previously stated that Leon Edwards was more deserving of a shot at then-champion Kamaru Usman than Gilbert Burns. It was a statement that Abdelaziz took offense to as he also manages Burns.

“He said, ‘Leave my fighters name out of your f*ckin’ mouth,’” Helwani said of his physical encounter with Abdelaziz during an episode of The MMA Hour. “And I said— do you remember what I said? ‘And what? What are you gonna do about it?’ I had a backpack, I dropped it down, and I said, ‘Please come over here and tell me what you’re gonna do about it? And what?’ Like, there has to be an ‘and’, right?”

Abdelaziz has since banned his fighters from appearing on The MMA Hour, the lone exception being Kayla Harrison who has appeared on the show multiple times.