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Helwani will be back covering UFC 200. MMA Fighting/SB Nation

UFC rescinds Ariel Helwani's 'life ban' after two days

The organisation say they took their original decision because of the MMAFighting.com reporter’s ‘recurring tactics’.

MMAFIGHTING.COM REPORTER ARIEL Helwani has had his credentials restored by the UFC.

Helwani, along with colleagues Casey Leydon and Esther Lin, were kicked out of UFC 199 on Saturday night and issued with life bans after reporting that Brock Lesner would return to the organisation for UFC 200.

However, in a statement last night, the UFC decided to give MMAFighting.com — part of SB Nation — a second chance:

“Following a conversation with the editorial team at SB Nation, UFC will not prevent MMAFighting.com from receiving media credentials to cover live UFC events. We respect the role the media plays in our sport and beyond, including MMAFighting’s ability to report news.

However, in our opinion, we believe the recurring tactics used by its lead reporter extended beyond the purpose of journalism. We feel confident our position has now been adequately communicated to the SB Nation editorial team.”

On his MMA Hour show yesterday, Helwani went into some detail on his often turbulent relationship with the UFC and what he believed happened.

“The last thing I want to do is sit on news. If you’re sitting on it, you’re not doing it right.

“I felt deep down inside that (Dana White) didn’t want to do that to me but he was doing what he was told by his partner (Zuffa co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta),” Helwani said.

“He may have been upset that I beat him to the punch on announcing the Lesnar news.”

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14 Comments
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    Mute von
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    Jun 10th 2015, 5:19 PM

    Well i answered 4 questions and got them all wrong, no need for me answer anymore.

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    Mute Pauric McKenna
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    Jun 10th 2015, 5:13 PM

    Longford has a 100% record in All Ireland final too – they never lost a final..

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    Mute Paddy
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    Jun 10th 2015, 5:05 PM

    I like the question about which team has a 100% record in All Ireland Football finals, I knew it but I’m from Limerick. It was the very 1st one as well.

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    Mute Paddy O'Brien
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    Jun 10th 2015, 5:16 PM

    2 stats that are great have associated with your county in their own right but probably not together.

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    Mute Aimee Kavanagh
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    Jun 10th 2015, 5:19 PM

    0/12!!

    55
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    Mute Alien8
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    Jun 10th 2015, 6:27 PM

    I know you don’t want to appear controversial, but Michelle Smith still has her Olympic gold medals, knocking Pat and his hammer into second place?

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    Mute Eoin McDowell
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    Jun 10th 2015, 5:51 PM

    4/12 and one was a guess… I didn’t study history for the LC, that’s my excuse!

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    Mute villa lad
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    Jun 10th 2015, 6:32 PM

    Genuinly got 0 out of 12 bad instinct this week.

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    Mute Peter Conroy
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    Jun 10th 2015, 7:16 PM

    It’s Dr Pat O’Callaghan!

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    Mute Dead Ball Browne
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    Jun 10th 2015, 10:22 PM

    Oldest rugby player methinks is incorrect. Tony O Reilly played for Ireland in the 50′s/ 60′s/70′s
    I have a feeling that there were more guys older than 36 !

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    Mute #COYBIB
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    Jun 11th 2015, 1:47 AM

    Tony O’Reilly made his debut aged 18 in 1955 and his final appearance in 1970 aged 34. Younger than Paul O’Connell is now. Irelands oldest player was John Hayes who (god help him) played on until the age of 36.

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    Mute Chuck Gilbey
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    Jun 10th 2015, 8:41 PM

    7 out of 12 happy with that, some interesting questions there.

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    Mute michael meaney
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    Jun 11th 2015, 12:23 PM

    2 out of 12

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    Mute Kieran Conroy
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    Jun 10th 2015, 7:14 PM

    how many counties have never had an all ireland final chance

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    Mute Kieran Conroy
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    Jun 10th 2015, 7:18 PM

    how many counties have never had an opportunity to play in an all ireland final

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