Tag: Ariel Helwani

Ariel Helwani snaps back at ‘boot licker’ Michael Bisping over criticism of UFC 303 reporting: ‘That’s journalism!’

Ariel Helwani snaps back at 'Boot Licker' Michael Bisping over criticism of UFC 303 reporting: 'That's journalism!'Michael Bisping is not a fan of Ariel Helwani’s UFC 303 reporting. As rumors began to circulate that Irish…

Ariel Helwani snaps back at 'Boot Licker' Michael Bisping over criticism of UFC 303 reporting: 'That's journalism!'

Michael Bisping is not a fan of Ariel Helwani’s UFC 303 reporting.

As rumors began to circulate that Irish megastar Conor McGregor was likely out of his June 29 headliner with Michael Chandler, Helwani offered his insight into the situation on an almost hourly basis. After all, he is a journalist so reporting on one of the biggest MMA stories of the year was both understandable and expected.

Ariel Helwani
Ariel Helwani

Yet for some reason, the former middleweight world champion took great offense to Helwani’s reporting, effectively telling The MMA Hour host to keep his nose out of the UFC’s business in a not-so-subtle way.

“Ariel Helwani’s out there, a lot of the time posting and tweeting like he’s an expert on everything, but he knows nothing, he’s putting feelings out there,” Bisping said.“That’s what he loves to do, that’s his badge of honor, he likes to break news. If I hear of a situation, I’m not doing investigative journalism, trying to find out like my life depends on it, and I’ll risk everything so I can be the one to break it. Because who gives a f*ck? And it’s none of your business…

“What will be will be. Stay out of it you prick!” (h/t BJPenn.com).

Ariel Helwani lays it on Michael Bisping in fiery response

Never one to back down from criticism, particularly when it comes to his integrity as a combat sports journalist, Helwani snapped back in short order on The Ringer MMA Show, calling ‘The Count’ a “boot licker” who’s trying a little too hard to curry favor with his boss.

“Michael Bisping, who I see him talking about me on his show, and my reporting, with such vitriol! With such animosity and such hatred!” Helwani said of Bisping. “Hopefully the video I posted outside at 2:30 p.m. would refute that ‘I’m dying to be first’…I’ve just died to be right, to be ethical, and to maintain relationships. It’s none of my business? It’s quite literally my business! That’s journalism! That’s exactly what our job is…I know you’re not trying to be some investigative journalist. You’re a Slap Fighting commentator…

“You’re a former bad boy who became a boot licker who wants to stay in good standing with [Dana White]. So you have chosen to pick a fight with me…in order to curry favor with your boss who gives you a few quid to commentate and be excited about Slap Fighting,” Helwani continued. “To me it’s shameful, it’s embarrassing, and that’s why I refer to him as Bootlicker Bisping. And he can say whatever the f*ck he wants to about me.”

As of this writing, Michael Bisping has not issued a response to Helwani.

Going 30-9 in his MMA career, ‘The Count’ was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2019 after an iconic career. His biggest highlight came at UFC 199 when he stepped in on short notice and scored a stunning first-round knockout of Luke Rockhold to claim the 185-pound crown.

Bisping vs. Rockhold

Ariel Helwani offers another grim update on Conor McGregor’s UFC 303 return: ‘They need a replacement’

Ariel Helwani offers another grim update on Conor McGregor's UFC 303 return: 'They need a replacement'It’s looking more and more like Conor McGregor will not be returning to the Octagon this month. After more…

Ariel Helwani offers another grim update on Conor McGregor's UFC 303 return: 'They need a replacement'

It’s looking more and more like Conor McGregor will not be returning to the Octagon this month.

After more than a year of rumors and reports, we appeared to finally be closing in on the Irishman’s “greatest comeback in combat sports history.” Then suddenly, it all seemingly fell apart. At this point, neither the UFC nor McGregor have offered any insight into the situation, leaving much of the reporting to Ariel Helwani.

Last week, Helwani said that there was “great positivity” that the fight would go down as scheduled on June 29. In the week since there’s been a complete 180° turn with the cancelation becoming more and more likely.

Ariel Helwani on Conor McGregor

“UFC is not intentionally trying to drag out this 303 saga,” Helwani wrote on X. “They are burning the midnight oil trying to find a replacement solution. The issue is there aren’t a ton of options available right now. If there was they would have announced it all already and moved on.”

When one fan asked the MMA Hour host for clarification on the status of the fight, Helwani added that while the bout is not “100% off,” all signs currently point to someone not named Conor McGregor headlining on June 29.

Ariel Helwani on Conor McGregor

“It’s not 100% off but I’d be extremely surprised at this point if it remains and they are actively negotiating with multiple camps to find a replacement,” he added. “It’s all up in the air still but they are proceeding at this time like they need a replacement.”

Ariel Helwani Offers Additional Insight into the Conor McGregor Drama

Helwani continued to field questions from fans on X, revealing that the cancelation of McGregor vs. Chandler is a “formality at this point” and that the promotion would not cancel the event like it did when Dan Henderson pulled out of his UFC 151 fight with Jon Jones back in 2012.

He also offered some insight into whether or not fans who have already purchased tickets will be eligible for a refund.

Ariel Helwani on Conor McGregor
Ariel Helwani on Conor McGregor
Ariel Helwani on Conor McGregor
Ariel Helwani on Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler ‘very much in limbo’ as the UFC scrambles to ‘figure out a Plan B’

Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler 'very much in limbo' as the UFC scrambles to 'figure out a plan B'The positivity that the UFC once had regarding Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon is “nowhere to be found.”…

Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler 'very much in limbo' as the UFC scrambles to 'figure out a plan B'

The positivity that the UFC once had regarding Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon is “nowhere to be found.”

During Wednesday’s edition of The MMA Hour, host Ariel Helwani once again expressed doubt over whether or not the Irishman’s “greatest comeback in combat sports history” would actually happen. The week prior, everything appeared to be all systems go with Helwani reporting “great positivity” that the fight between McGregor and fellow TUF coach would headline UFC 303 on June 29 as advertised.

Conor McGregor

That no longer appears to be the case as a series of reports recently claimed that the promotion was putting out another round of “feelers” to come up with a “Plan B” in the event McGregor vs. Chandler is axed.

Optimism is ‘Not Very High’ on Conor McGregor’s Return at UFC 303

“On Monday of last week, I would say optimism level was not very high,” Helwani said on his show. “There was some concern, there was some doubt, there were road blocks. I came on this show on Wednesday and said optimism was high. There was great positivity, all those words I used. It felt like we had dodged a bullet, it felt like we had turned a corner.

“On Tuesday, I reported that the UFC was sending out feelers, they were reaching out to fighters and managers to see who could possibly be available to either replace the fight — meaning two new fighters — or step in and replace one of the fighters involved to fight on this card. Obviously the fighter we’re talking about is Conor McGregor, because if not, why would Chandler be ready to go on a plane to Dublin?

“So I said that it seemed we were all good, and by Wednesday, no feelers were being thrown out, no one was talking about this, really. It seemed as though all systems were a go.

“Yesterday morning I started to hear — as I continued to check in because I know there’s a lot of anxiety, a lot of doubt, a lot of concern about this because it’s such a big fight and because no one involved are speaking about this publicly, Chandler did the one interview and I think that squashed some concern, but no one is really talking about this — and I found out, via multiple sources, that they are reaching out to people again.

“They are reaching out to managers, they are reaching out to fighters, as potential replacements, as a new fight, as backups, as someone stepping in for McGregor, or just as insurance. Just in case. All these things are in play.

“One step further, here we are, Wednesday, 1:15, the positivity that I talked about exactly one week ago today is nowhere to be found. I would say this fight is very much in limbo. I would say it’s hanging on and the UFC is working very, very hard right now to figure out a Plan B. The Plan B could be someone stepping in to fight Chandler, the Plan C could be a whole new fight.”

Conor McGregor

As it stands, neither McGregor, Chandler nor the UFC have offered any explanation for why the fight could be in jeopardy. However, a report from MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin did confirm with sources that the fight appears to be in doubt due to an issue with McGregor, the likeliest scenario being an injury.

Conor McGregor

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.”