Ariel Helwani Says It Was Lorenzo Fertitta’s Call To Ban Him

– Ariel Helwani appeared on the Dan Patrick Show this morning, discussing the UFC 199 issue and his “banning” by the UFC. Helwani says that he was in the media room, and that news happens when news happens. He first posted on the McGregor vs. Diaz rematch begin finalized as well as the Lesnar return story. He said he confirmed the stories through multiple sources, and that a UFC PR person informed him that he had jumped the gun and that nothing was confirmed. He was told prior to the UFC 199 main event that Dana White wanted to talk with him. Dana told him…

“Get out of here…you’re done…get out of here…go cover Bellator.”

Helwani noted that he felt that Dana White did not want to be having the talk. He also said that Dana White told him that it was Lorenzo Fertitta’s call to ban him from UFC. He was also told that he was too negative. The PR people told him that he should have had the courtesy to run news through them, but Helwani had it confirmed through multiple sources. He also noted that in the past, when he went through UFC, they would deny things, similar to how they did with ESPN on Friday night about Lesnar’s return.

Helwani says that he has had a good relationship with White over the years, maybe rockier these days, but he always felt that they got along. He feels that Dana didn’t want to go this far with things. Regarding his firing from FOX Sports, Helwani revealed what many speculated, “Fox dropped me because the UFC told it to. That’s a fact.” He continued on, noting that the UFC was angry that he was “out-scooping” them, and also covering things (through MMAFighting) that the UFC didn’t approve of (like free agency). Helwani joked that he was called a UFC shill in the past, but now is being looked at as a martyr.

Here is a clip from part of his appearance…