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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Really going to miss Isa, always gave 110% and was such a lovely guy, going to be big shoes to fill.
@Sam Harms: Always enjoyed watching him during those Magners League/Pro 12 games during the international break. Nacewa would regularly find himseld at 15 with 2 young wingers either side of him. He’d guide them though the game, defensively. Where to stand, how far from the centre, when to push in, when to push up etc That’s why I was really hoping he’d stay around and do some coaching. He looks like a coach already.
Leo didn’t exactly give a vote of confidence to Carbery on Saturday, Sexton was goosed, couldn’t kick and could barely run, Nacewa had taken over kicking duties and yet he still kept him on the bench. A move away is badly needed for him. I wouldn’t expect Sexton to be fit for this weekend so it’ll be telling to see who Cullen goes for.
On another note I really enjoyed the game on Saturday. Real tough game and Leinster ground out the result. I was delighted for them.
@Jim Demps: there was no way anyone was coming on to replace Sexton, unless he literally couldnt walk, when it was that close
@Sam Harms: yeh good point Sam,I’m sure he kept him on for a potential drop goal! he was limping and still made the one against France.
@Sam Harms: yeah you’re prob right but he should have come off. He was obviously struggling. It worked out though thankfully.
@Sam Harms: without getting too tribal and with my Irish hat on, Carbery can’t afford to have another season like he has just had if he has any aspirations on playing in the ten jersey for Ireland. I take your point on learning from Sexton but he also needs game time at club level, be it with Ulster or munster.
@Jim Demps: look at it this way, would Munster take Murray off in that situation unless they 100% had to?
@Jim Demps: Or Leinster.
@Sam Harms: Ireland wouldn’t take off Murray either. He’s absolutely vital, like Sexton.
@Sam Harms: I’m not criticizing the decision. I’m saying that Carbery needs to get game time in meaningful games, at ten , before the World Cup.
@Jim Demps: which he can, at Leinster. Munster have 3 flyhalfs already so if he does have to go anywhere it should be Ulster.
@Sam Harms: I get your point of view but neither Duncan Williams or James hart aren’t the back up 9 in the Irish squad so it’s not like for like –
If carbery is back up ten for his country he needs minutes or to be trusted as deputy for the club when the first choice is struggling , although I take no part in the debate as it’s a tricky situation , the Murrays value to Munster comparison just doesnt work
@Sam Harms: I think it’s all been decided anyway Sam. Once the season is over we will find out what the story with Carbery is. If I had to bet I’d say a season long loan to Ulster. If I had to decide myself I’d say a permanent switch to munster with Keatley going to Ulster.
While the game wasn’t the prettiest, it was an important win for Leinster in the grand scheme of things.
Something that popped into my head after the game was the 2011 World Cup final that New Zealand won 8-7 against France. New Zealand were obviously a quality team but hadn’t won in so long, much like Leinster. Much like Leinster, there was an argument for the French team outperforming their counterparts despite the odds.
For sure, this game was not a classic for the purists but in the grand scheme of things with an eye to future finals, I think Leinster will be happy to get the pressure of winning it again off their backs and play better as a result in the future.
@EK: totally agree. It should also be boted that while the highlights reel of their campaign won’t feature much more from Saturday’s match than the relief of a missed drop goal, it will still be a pretty glorious highlights reel featuring great attacking play against exclusively top class teams. The final itself was ground out, but it was raining and there were two teams with incredible defensive systems and a pernickety ref. We don’t have to worry about the quality of rugby Leinster are able to play.
@Conor Paddington: that’s very true Conor the official highlights vid is a joke , just the place kicks , not even how they happened . Nothing about possible yellows etc . I was at the game and Barnes was very frustrating , slow at blowing the whistle , lenient for card situations .. but he at least didn’t have any game changing errors . I’ll have to watch the game in full a couple of times on YouTube now . Overall Leinster looked quite comfortable and I was always confident they’d get the chances near the end . Let not forget Tales was dropping for a draw, I think Leinster would have had too much for Racing if it had gone into extra time