Dana White blasts Ariel Helwani, stands up for Diaz | UFC NEWS
The goal of a journalist is to get the story, not become one. Award-winning MMA journalist Ariel Helwani became the focus of a very irate Dana White at the beginning of the UFC 158 press conference.
It’s not out of the ordinary for White to stand up for his fighters. Whether it is right or wrong, White will back his fighters in most circumstances. With that kind of loyalty comes the chance the fighter could also come under fire from the UFC President. When White opened the panel up to questions Helwani was the first to grab the microphone, before he could ask his question White asked it for him:
White: Gonna ask you why you weren’t here yesterday, and what happened and whose fault was it.
Helwani: There you go. Thanks Dana
White: I know you man
Diaz went on to explain why he was a no-show for the open workouts. The reason seemed to be a valid one; needing sleep after a long flight from California. A follow-up question on whether White and Diaz had a talk about missing the workout would be appropriate. When Diaz was done Helwani asked the question about if that conversation took place. Diaz again answered, and seemed very sincere that he would have liked to do the workout for the fans. Helwani was not satisfied and continued to ask about the situation.
Helwani: Just one more question. You said you got in late on Tuesday night was it because of
White: (interrupts Helwani) Ariel, he’s here. He’s here, he’s here now. You got any questions about the fight?
Helwani: Obviously it was a big story.
White: Yeah, he’s here.
Helwani: It’s apart of the story
White: I understand. It’s apart of what story?
Helwani: Of this fight. A lot of people are interested in watching this press conference to see if Nick was going to show up, because he wasn’t there yesterday. So we…
White: He’s here today. And I guarantee he’ll be there tomorrow at the weigh-ins. And I guarantee you he will be there Saturday.
Helwani: No one is doubting that, but just wanted to get the reason why.
White: You want to antagonize him. You want to aggravate him, and get him pissed off.
Helwani: Absolutely not.
White: Totally the truth. That’s why I knew what your question was, I called it right when you picked up the microphone. You never even ask questions first. You usually hang back and wait. Ohh you had to get that first question, you knew what you wanted.
Helwani: God forbid
White: You want to piss him off and aggravate him. Do you have any questions about the fight?
Helwani: Not right now.
White: OK. Next please.
So the tone of the presser was set. White was not going to tolerate anybody trying to aggravate or get a rise out of Diaz. The press conference was to focus on the fight and not on Diaz’s issues with making it to the workout, or any other required event prior to today.
Helwani is known not just for his award-winning journalism, but the feuds he has with fighters. He has had past issues with Quinton Jackson, Ben Askren, and Nick Diaz. He’s a reporter, and reporters don’t always say the nicest things about whom they are covering. Helwani tells it like he sees it, and you can’t fault him for that.
It does seem though, that you can now add Dana White to the list of people he’s pissed off.
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No wonder Nick Diaz doesn’t want to show up for these things it’s reporters like Ariel that drive him away from them. If it was me I’d punch the mermaid in the face and tell him to mind his own business.
Dana’s a two faced talking outta both sides of his mouth douche!! It’s ok to miss appointments and contract obligations as long as he’s cool with it! How soon u forget how u punished him last year for missing appointments and contract obligations IE title fight!! Ur just a greedy **** that makes the rules up as things move along, that question Helwani asked was no big deal.
Man,it’s like doin an interview with Eddie Vedder in 94. I’ll bet if Diaz ever wins an award he won’t except it. Keep it gnarly
brother but you better win.
Will someone please fire arial helwanis ass already this douche bag doesn’t deserve to be a news dude for mma he pisses everyone off including myself he’s a joke an his ?’s are so annoying and obvious I dot think there’s one mma fighter that likes him including gsp and it takes a lot for him to not like someone
not 1 question for Condit, Ellenburger & Marquard lol
Nice one Dana, I’ve been bashin dw for a while but I gotta take my hat off to him on that one. That was decent of him
yeah Ariels a scum. I have watched these press conferences and HE NEVER asks Questions first NEVER.
so no doubt Dana was 100% accurate in what The little mermaid was going to ask.
What a dick, that journalist is.
Ariel was just doing his job.
just seems like everyone was irritated and hendricks, ellenberger, marqaurt and condit was just sitting there thinking awkward lol.
first of all, its a press conference. Dana should not be answering for the fighters. All the fighters have to do it and all are tired. but you have to do it. Nobody likes the press but you are going to get asked the hard questions and should expect it. Nick is not the only one tired. Just a mouthy shit and unprofessional. who cares he’s from stockton cal. your not there anymore. I’m from a bad place in Jersey and its nothing to brag about or blame for my short comings. you put yourself in bad situations. your to blame for your own shitty life.
Ariel helwani is a good reporter. I think Dana was being too harsh on him. Ariel asks questions that I like to hear answers to.
you haters obviously dont watch the mma hour, the best MMA show hosted by ariel helwani, if you did you wouldnt be talking all this shit about him being a bad journalist
No Shit. Helwani is the best. These Diaz fans are just butthurt because their anti-hero Diaz is a fukcin pothead flake. That was so funny how Diaz needed his UFC mommy, Dana, to defend him. What the Fukc was that, smh.
good for Nick and props to Dana. Well done.
I cant wait till Hendricks caves in GSP’s face. GSP wont be able to take Hendricks down the way he did Diaz. Any man who claims to be a better boxer should be required to prove it GSP showed the biggest flaw in the UFC tonight. If you cant bang with a dude take him down and hold him there till the judges have no choice but to give you the decision. Don’t say you can bang then fight like a bitch!
Related to the story, I dont watch the press conferences I watch the FIGHTS, not the holding matches, the FIGHTs. Thats why I like guys like Dan Henderson, conditt, diaz, leban and hendricks, guys who will throw bombs no matter the consequences, MEN not competitors, real MEN who know its better to lose like a MAN then win like a bitch! Who gives a shit if they show up to a press conference as long as they show up to fight!