Ariel Helwani: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Features

Luis Hernandez banked a Performance of the Night bonus at UFC Vegas 121 earlier this month, but the undefeated newcomer says his day job still pays better.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / September 15

'He Can’t Train, Can’t See': Tom Aspinall Faces Potential Fourth Eye Surgery After Training Accident Derails UFC 334 Return, Reveals Helwani

The UFC is now effectively without a heavyweight champion after Tom Aspinall vacated his title yesterday. While the decision has left the division in a state of flux, the choice to vacate the title did not come out of nowhere.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / August 26

Ariel Helwani ‘refuses to believe’ Dana White claim that a UFC star from DWCS has earned $11 million

The UFC president has caused a stir with his financial claim about one non-championship level fighter on the roster. Dana White’s Contender Series is back on fans’ screens, and episode three took place at the Meta UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Tuesday night.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / August 20

Alex Pereira vs Josh Hokit ‘definitely being discussed’ by UFC as Ariel Helwani provides update

Alex Pereira could have the chance to make Josh Hokit pay for his trash talk. The polarizing heavyweight contender has been causing a ruckus with his shtick, and Pereira has been among those most targeted by it.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / July 30

Axed Fighter Confesses UFC Firing, Divorce Struggles Behind Failed PFL Debut

Bryan Battle has revealed that his one-sided loss in his PFL debut had far more going on behind the scenes than fans realized. Speaking with Ariel Helwani

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / June 24

Josh Hokit says armbar on Derrick Lewis was 'just for fun'

Josh Hokit says he pulled back on an armbar attempt against Derrick Lewis because finishing the submission didn't feel right. Hokit stopped Lewis in the second round at UFC White House earlier this month, but not before trying a late first-round armbar that looked loose and incomplete.

MMA News / Total Pro Sports / June 15

Ariel Helwani’s Honest Take on UFC White House Event Leaves No Room for Negativity

The UFC’s historic event on the South Lawn of the White House has generated plenty of debate in the lead-up to fight night. Some fans have questioned the card’s political optics.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / May 21

Adriano Moraes agrees with Sean Strickland when criticizing Ariel Helwani over appealed MVP MMA win

Adriano Moraes has received criticism following his win on Netflix this past weekend. Phumi Nkuta has appealed his submission loss to Moraes, with many making the argument that he wasn’t unconscious until after the final bell sounded.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / May 20

Ariel Helwani Explains How Ronda Rousey Prevented Netflix From Hitting 20M Viewers

Ariel Helwani feels Ronda Rousey may have accidentally left millions of viewers on the table during her main event fight against Gina Carano. After Netflix

MMA News / EssentiallySports / May 18

Ariel Helwani Assigns Blame in His Response to Backlash Over Long Post-Fight Interviews at Rousey-Carano

Fans watching Netflix’s first-ever MMA event noticed something unusual almost immediately. The show’s pacing did not resemble a normal UFC broadcast at all, especially during the post-fight interviews, which lasted significantly longer than what fight fans are used to hearing after a bout ends.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / May 16

Nate Diaz slaps choke on Ariel Helwani in comical final interview ahead of MMA return

Nate Diaz comically put Ariel Helwani in a rear naked choke during ceremonial weigh-ins for his MMA return – but the veteran reporter did not tap. Diaz is competing inside the cage for the first time since 2022 tomorrow night against Mike Perry in one of three main events on Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA show on Netflix.

MMA News / HITC / May 12

Ariel Helwani explains delay in Conor McGregor UFC return news

Conor McGregor’s UFC comeback announcement may have been put on hold. Reports are circulating that the Irishman is gearing up for a return at UFC 329, scheduled to wrap up International Fight Week in Las Vegas this July.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / May 11

Sean Strickland Calls Ariel Helwani a 'Pathetic Leech' After Criticism of His Trash Talk

A new MMA beef has been brewing, and this time it is between the newly-crowned two-time UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland and esteemed MMA journalist

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / May 12

Ariel Helwani says Conor McGregor announcement at UFC 328 was ‘likely’ canceled due to his report

Plans may have changed when it comes to revealing Conor McGregor’s UFC return. The Irishman is reportedly in line to make his long-awaited mixed martial arts comeback at UFC 329, which closes out the 2026 edition of International Fight Week in Las Vegas this July.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / March 31

UFC Seattle Winner Reveals She Fought With Two Left-Handed Gloves

We have heard many criticisms of the UFC gloves before, but this one’s a first. Are these gloves designed to prevent eye pokes? No. Does stiffness force fighters to open their hands from time to time and close their fists with additional effort?

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MMA News / EssentiallySports / March 24

UFC Needs Conor McGregor Now More Than Ever After Max Holloway Hints White House, Says Ariel Helwani

Things have felt a little strange around the UFC lately. Big cards are getting announced, but the reactions haven’t been as loud as they once were. The White House event generated a lot of buzz, but fans are still talking about who isn’t on the fight card more than who is.

MMA News / HITC / March 19

Ariel Helwani suggests UFC fighters mirror WNBA stars amid pay complaints

Ariel Helwani has pointed to the WNBA as a blueprint for change, and his message to UFC fighters is difficult to ignore. Fighter pay has become one of the most discussed issues in the MMA’s premier promotion, with several high-profile names speaking out in recent months, such as Justin Gaethje, Michael ‘Venom’ Page and Sean Strickland.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / February 14

Ex-UFC Champ Backs Ariel Helwani’s Stand Against IOC After Ukrainian Disqualified From Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics rarely make it into the MMA scene. However, this week they did. What began as a humble gesture of remembering by a Ukrainian athlete has escalated into a global debate about rules, expression, and where humanity fits within elite sports.

MMA News / Total Pro Sports / January 22