Helwani talks with Iole about loss of UFC press credentials
“Dana mentioned that from what I recalled that Brock Lesnar was upset the news was released early and that this could have ruined their deal.”
Yahoo SportsKevin Iole?? spoke with Ariel Helwani about being escorted out of UFC 199, along with colleagues Esther Lin and E. Casey Lyden. Helwani believes it stems from his announcing the return of Brock Lesnar before the UFC officially did so.
Helwani reported that he bears no ill will toward UFC president Dana White or UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, and that he does not regret breaking the news. He also said that the UFC believes he has an unauthorized source inside the organization.
I was brought to the back by UFC [public relations] and told by Dana White that I had to leave the arena, said Helwani. Dana mentioned that from what I recalled that Brock Lesnar was upset the news was released early and that this could have ruined their deal.
He repeatedly said, ‘Go cover Bellator. We don’t want you here.’ … I said, ‘What did I do wrong?’ He said, ‘You’re too negative.’”
I never go off one source anyway, so I guess they’re saying now there are two moles. But with God as my witness, there is no mole. Honestly, I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this. I’m almost embarrassed because people are saying, ‘You’re standing up for journalism.’
I’m not doing any great investigative journalism here. This is not ground-breaking stuff. I’m not going to win a Pulitzer for this.
Iole praised Helwani at length, noting he is the only reporter in the MMA space with a fanbase so fervent that he gets cheers in public appearances, that his MMA Hour provides content for a vast number of MMA stories each week, that he truly loves MMA, and that he is honest. Iole also expressed the widely held wish that Helwani be credentialed again as soon as possible.