Ariel Helwani is MMA reporting. The most casual of UFC fans will recognise his name, his face, his 3-hour podcast called the MMA Hour. He's the face of UFC journalism.
He's the one who broke the news that Brock Lesnar is returning to the sport for UFC 200.
And he's the one who has been banned for life from the UFC for breaking that news. Seems harsh right? We aren't the only ones who think so. Helwani is asking for sense to prevail, and there is a lot of support for him online from the MMA World, including UFC fighters, and coaches.
Even McGregor's coach is getting behind Helwani, and they all have kind words to say about him:
Hope @arielhelwani situation gets resolved. One of the few mma journalists I enjoy speaking to #FreeHelwani
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) June 5, 2016
That's unfortunate. I'll always answer his phone call, he's always been fair to me. https://t.co/sxer1PvuQa
— BONY (@JonnyBones) June 5, 2016
Whoa! Ariel Helwani was just removed from UFC 199 and received a lifetime ban. https://t.co/s5jTBlw86s
— shop CrisCyborg.com (@criscyborg) June 5, 2016
.@postfightpress @arielhelwani don't know what happened but no way that can really go down.This sport needs the GOAT of MMA reporting
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) June 5, 2016
Media from outside of MMA were on Helwani's side aswell. NFL's Rich Eisen was among those to raise an eyebrow at the treatment of Helwani.
Confused. @arielhelwani is a passionate, conscientious, energetic reporter talking UFC to a burgeoning following. The UFC doesn't like that?
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) June 5, 2016
