Ariel Helwani’s journey with the UFC has been marked by highs and lows, including a notable incident during UFC 200 that strained his relationship with Dana White.
The fallout stemmed from Helwani breaking the news about Brock Lesnar’s return to the octagon before the UFC could make their planned announcement during UFC 199. This revelation led to Helwani being ejected from the arena and receiving a two-day ban from UFC events.
Despite the UFC’s accusations of unfair reporting tactics, Helwani has maintained that he did nothing wrong. In a recent podcast episode with Darren Till, Helwani shared previously undisclosed details about the fallout from UFC 200, revealing Dana White’s attempts to uncover the source of the leaked news.
White allegedly speculated about Helwani’s information source, suggesting someone associated with Brock Lesnar. Interestingly, earlier this year, Helwani expressed optimism about rekindling his relationship with Dana White after a surprising gesture from the UFC CEO.
Helwani highlighted White’s support for UFC ring girl Luciana Andrade collaborating with him on a new podcast. When Andrade asked White for permission to work with Helwani, White responded positively, indicating a level of support and goodwill toward Helwani.
Helwani was genuinely moved by White’s response, suggesting a potential thaw in their relationship. He expressed hope that this positive interaction could pave the way for renewed friendship, stating that deep down, he believes White actually likes him.
