Ariel Helwani News
Ariel Helwani goes to bat for Tom Aspinall after recent criticism from UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones
Susan Cox - January 10, 2024
Ariel Helwani is going to bat for Tom Aspinall after the Brit received recent criticism from UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. It was Tom Aspinall (14-3 MMA) who recently fought and defeated Sergei Pavlovich (18-2 MMA) by KO this past November at UFC 295 for the interim heavyweight title.
Ariel Helwani claims Dana White and company “have a rabbit in their hat” for UFC 300
Susan Cox - January 4, 2024
Ariel Helwani is claiming that Dana White and company ‘have a rabbit in their hat’ for UFC 300. The historic UFC 300 will take place on Saturday, April 13th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Chael Sonnen shares his side of Ariel Helwani fiasco: "His opening line to me was a lie"
Zain Bando - November 8, 2023
Chael Sonnen has responded to Ariel Helwani after the pair argued over the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou pay-per-view numbers. For context, Sonnen, the former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight title challenger came on a recent episode of “The MMA Hour” to discuss Ngannou’s near-victory against the WBC heavyweight champion, plus whether or not Ngannou was the rightful winner in the entire saga.
Ariel Helwani responds to recent criticism from former UFC champion Jamahal Hill: “I am not going anywhere”
Josh Evanoff - November 6, 2023
Longtime MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has responded to former UFC champion Jamahal Hill. Over the weekend, ‘Sweet Dreams’ put out a video slamming Ariel Helwani. The video itself took aim at the journalist’s recent interview with Chael Sonnen on The MMA Hour. ‘The Bad Guy’ got into it with him over Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou, as well as the pay-per-view numbers accompanying it.
Ariel Helwani is “baffled” by Tyson Fury’s extreme disrespect towards Francis Ngannou
Susan Cox - October 5, 2023
Ariel Helwani is ‘baffled’ by Tyson Fury’s extreme disrespect towards Francis Ngannou. Former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou is set to make his boxing debut against WCB heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on Saturday, October 28th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ariel Helwani responds to recent criticism from former UFC champion Jamahal Hill: “I come here with love in my heart”
Harry Kettle - August 3, 2023
Ariel Helwani has responded to Jamahal Hill after being called out by the former UFC champion recently. Throughout the course of his career, Ariel Helwani has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. In equal measure, he’s also been the benchmark for MMA journalism in the eyes of many. He’s certainly a divisive figure and in recent years, that has also extended to the fighters themselves.
Jamahal Hill takes aim at Ariel Helwani for the “dirty, sneaky tactics that he likes to use” to get over on fighters
Susan Cox - August 2, 2023
Jamahal Hill is taking aim at Ariel Helwani for the ‘dirty, sneaky tactics that he likes to use’ to get over on fighters. Hill is making it known that he was less than thrilled about a recent conversation Ariel Helwani had with Jiří Procházka.
Bellator gets some serious props from Ariel Helwani: “There is no other promotion, outside of the UFC, that has a collection of champions like that”
Zain Bando - June 22, 2023
Ariel Helwani shares his thoughts about Bellator’s roster Long-time MMA journalist Ariel Helwani always gives credit where credit is due, especially when it comes to the sport as a whole. Last Friday showcased Bellator 297, which featured two world title fights. Bellator light heavyweight champion, Vadim Nemkov, took on Yoel Romero in the main event, while Sergio Pettis fought Patricio Pitbull for the bantamweight strep in the co-main.
Ariel Helwani reveals Francis Ngannou could find his next MMA home as soon as this week
Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2023
According to Ariel Helwani, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou won’t be a free agent for long. ‘The Predator’ has been out of the octagon for over a year, last defeating Ciryl Gane by decision in January 2022. That victory will likely end up being the last of Ngannou’s UFC career, as he left the promotion earlier this year. In the process, he vacated his heavyweight title.
Paddy Pimblett snubs idea of rekindling friendship with Ariel Helwani: "He tried to ruin my career"
Lewis Simpson - April 24, 2023
UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett snubbed the idea of rekindling a relationship with mixed martial arts journalist Ariel Helwani, stating the Canadian “tried to ruin” his career prior to his UFC 282 fight with Jared Gordon. Before his UFC 282 clash with Gordon back in December last year, Pimblett’s stock was rising significantly. The lively Scouser joined the UFC in 2021 and quickly became a mainstream name, finishing his first three opponents under the UFC’s lights.
Ariel Helwani explains why the UFC should avoid giving “deserving” Valentina Shevchenko an immediate rematch with Alexa Grasso
Zain Bando - March 8, 2023
Alexa Grasso shook up the UFC flyweight division with a fourth-round submission victory over Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 285 in the night’s co-main event. While the upset arguably changed the trajectory of the division, it begged the question from many fight fans about whether the March 4 title fight should be run back right away. Shevchenko was arguably ahead entering round four before the tables turned, which led to the eventual outcome. The victory earned Grasso the new and distinct title of becoming the first female Mexican-born UFC champion.
Ariel Helwani shares theory as to why Ali Abdelaziz deleted IV-related tweet suggesting he would “expose everybody”
Harry Kettle - February 17, 2023
Ariel Helwani has given his thoughts on why Ali Abdelaziz deleted his tweet in relation to recent IV allegations. While Islam Makhachev did manage to defeat Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284, there’s been a bit of controversy since then. It stems from a tweet by Dan Hooker that suggests Islam illegally used an IV before the fight in order to make weight.
Ariel Helwani dismisses comparisons between Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov following UFC 284: "I’m sorry, he isn’t as good as Khabib. He is not!"
Lewis Simpson - February 14, 2023
Following UFC 284, mixed martial arts journalist Ariel Helwani is confident that Islam Makhachev is not as good as his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov. Since Khabib’s retirement in 2021, the former lightweight champion and his late father have pushed their prodigy Makhachev to become the next dominant sensation from their team.
Ariel Helwani responds to criticism from UFC commentator Joe Rogan: “Especially rich coming from the guy who was pushing false narratives”
Susan Cox - February 2, 2023
Ariel Helwani is responding to criticism from UFC commentator Joe Rogan. The two very popular YouTube podcasters, Ariel Helwani on ‘The MMA Hour’ and Joe Rogan on ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ are apparently coming to heads.
Ariel Helwani was left dissatisfied with the UFC's lack of hype on Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 announcement
Lewis Simpson - January 23, 2023
Ariel Helwani was left dissatisfied with the UFC’s way of announcing the trilogy between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman. Following UFC Vegas 67, UFC President Dana White took to the post-fight press conference to make some massive announcements. The most surprising was the departure of Francis Ngannou. The Cameroon native was stripped from his heavyweight title and released from the company.
Ariel Helwani reacts to Dana White's New Years' Eve altercation with wife: "What are your kids going to say about you?"
Josh Evanoff - January 4, 2023
Ariel Helwani has chimed in on Dana White’s New Years’ Eve altercation with his wife. Over the weekend, the UFC president was in Cabo, Mexico, alongside his wife, Anna. In a video caught by TMZ, White was slapped by his wife in the midst of an argument. He then slapped her several times, prompting onlookers to break up the incident.
Demetrious Johnson reveals Paddy Pimblett asked him to do his podcast amid Ariel Helwani beef: "He didn't offer me anything either"
Josh Evanoff - December 9, 2022
ONE Championship flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson has given his take on the ongoing scandal involving Paddy Pimblett and Ariel Helwani. ‘The Baddy’ is set to return this Saturday night on pay-per-view at UFC 282. The bout will be Pimblett’s fourth in the UFC, as he will face Jared Gordon. Despite his short stint in the promotion, the British star has made a massive impact.
Ariel Helwani hits back at Paddy Pimblett and Dana White after recent comments: "They reached out to me!"
Josh Evanoff - December 7, 2022
Ariel Helwani has responded to Paddy Pimblett and Dana White’s recent comments. The longtime host of The MMA Hour and one of the most recognizable faces in the game, the journalist is a controversial figure. While Helwani is commonly respected among several fans and media members, he’s not well-liked by several UFC fighters.