Imagine if Adam Schefter was banned from covering NFL games after reporting a trade, or Ken Rosenthal was no longer allowed inside any MLB stadium because he revealed the All-Star Game rosters. That's essentially what Ariel Helwani is declaring happened at UFC 199.
Helwani, a veteran reporter for MMAFighting.com, says he was escorted out of The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., during UFC 199 on Saturday night and banned from all future MMA events after (accurately) reporting Brock Lesnar would make his return at UFC 200. He claims his credential was revoked and he was kicked out before the main event fight between Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping.
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"I was brought to the back by UFC (public relations) and told by (UFC president) Dana White that I had to leave the arena," Helwani told Yahoo Sports. "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.'"
And Helwani wasn't the only one who left the event early. He says UFC officials also booted MMAFighting.com photojournalist Esther Lin and videographer Casey Leydon after taking their credentials.
"They said I should have had the 'professional courtesy' to clear the news with them before reporting the news," Helwani told Sports Illustrated. "I had confirmed it with multiple sources and it ended up being right. They confirmed it on the broadcast around three hours after I reported it.
"This has never happened to any of us. Never even hinted at. I went back to my room. Esther and Casey are the very best at what they do. I would argue the best in all of sports. I’ve been working with them since 2009 and I wish this didn’t happen to them as well."
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A UFC spokesman told the Los Angeles Times it's "not wholly accurate" to say Helwani was forced to leave simply for breaking the Lesnar news.
"I’m not saying you don’t have a job to report, but in this case (with Helwani), the professional standards are to reach out (to the UFC) for comment on a story you’re about to report, even if you get a no-comment," the spokesman told the Times.
Helwani tweeted that he will address the entire incident Monday on The MMA Hour podcast.
Thank you. I sincerely can't thank you all enough. I'm still here. All will be addressed tomorrow on #themmahour, as well as other outlets.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016
It's hard to wrap my head around all of this, but to everyone fan, fighter, manager, friend who reached out: thank you.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016
And to every journalist/media member who tweeted or reached out: I'm eternally grateful to you. Thank you all very much. Until tomorrow...
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016
FTR, I will forever be proud to be an MMA journalist. I am proud of that title and take the responsibility that comes w/ it seriously.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016
