MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has offered a response to soon-to-be ex-UFC champion Jamahal Hill.
Hill has shared his gripes with Helwani this year, claiming the host of MMAFighting's "The MMA Hour" has taken subtle digs at him on the show. He also felt Helwani was taking sides in an interview with former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jiri Prochazka earlier this year.
Ever since expressing his opinion on a slapping incident between UFC CEO Dana White and his wife at a New Year's Eve party, Hill felt Helwani has been disparaging his UFC title run. Hill appeared on the "Believe You Me" podcast and explained that his words on the Dana White situation were twisted, and he thinks Helwani has held a grudge ever since.
More recently, Jamahal Hill took to his YouTube channel to slam Ariel Helwani for his tone during a heated debate with Chael Sonnen on Francis Ngannou and the UFC. Hill said Helwani wouldn't dare speak to Chael like that in person.
Helwani has responded to Hill on "The MMA Hour," pointing out that Sonnen is a longtime friend, and the two simply speak to each other differently.
"Chael is my friend," Helwani said. "Even though he said things about me, he's still my friend. I texted him that in the middle of the show and I said it to him on Thursday. He considers me his friend. Friends are able talk to each other in a different kind of way, bygones be bygones. You don't understand that because he's not your friend and I'm not your friend. So, you're weighing in, just like Jiri was saying, about something you don't know s*** about."
Helwani said if you look at his track record he has never disrespected a fighter with harsh words because he has respect for everyone who is a guest on his show and who steps inside the cage. He once again pointed out that he and Sonnen are close friends.
"I'm not afraid of my friend," Helwani said. "Have you ever heard me talk about a fighter like that? Have you ever heard me say that to a fighter? No, I don't do that. I respond to people who lie about me, I respond to people who take shots, I respond to people who are disrespectful, like you to me, who make up s*** about me."
Ultimately, Helwani feels Hill is going after him in an effort to boost his own YouTube channel. The journalist also said that if Hill's goal was to expose him, then he failed.
"Well, in this particular case, just like back in August, you swung and you missed," Helwani said.
If you use any quotes from this article, please leave an H/T to MMAKnockout.com for the transcription.
More must-reads: