Dana White vs. Ariel Helwani
Settling scores is something combat sports is use to, but the score between Ariel Helwani and Dana White will never be settled , or so it seems
We thought we were going to see Ariel take the “Helwani High Road” and not talk about the situation that happened between UFC President Dana White and his wife Anne White.
Where Dana is seen on video slapping her, possibly looking like several times after being slapped first by her.
Video courtesy of: xcellentmma
But this time Ariel chose to discuss it, as we would discuss any other fighter drama as media members.
And he went in deep on Dana,and confessed to not even bringing up receipts. Yikes!
Catch full video here
But the serious point that he drove home in the midst of this was the lack of coverage of the event by media outlets. Or the glossing over of he situation.
We chose not to gloss over the event, but we posted it as it was. Giving it it’s credence.
But Ariel was right. There was so much more to the story than what met the eye revealing so much more about the promotion itself, and the man behind the promotion.
Majority of media outlets, not us (but we could have covered it better) reported on it with some apologist type of view, giving Dana the benefit of the doubt with many fighters coming out showing their support.
But Jamahal Hill being the most vocal.
If you don’t want to get hit don’t hit nobody period!!!#simple
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) January 3, 2023
Ariel drove home the point that the media is scared to cover “real” issues when it comes to the UFC. Issues like this, James Krause and gambling situation, or even reaching out to Dana to get an interview from ESPN, UFC pundits, TSN?
Claiming that some media outlets may be scared of the repercussions of reporting on such issues and would never ask Dana any of these questions in an interview.
We agree!
As a media outlets we must do better in the fair coverage of the sport, not just selective coverage. As media outlets, the responsibility is to show all sides of the sport. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
This is the President of the company, this is big news! And most media outlets (even us) are giving it the white glove treatment. I feel that is partly due to his apology immediately after.
But that is damage control.
How much coverage was there of the Jon Jones situation? Or the Chael Sonnen in the hotel where he supposedly struck a woman situation?
Luis Pena was kicked out of the UFC for the same issue.
Every outlet covered that.
It is true that if this was any other major sports organisation they would be calling for their resignation.
We got owned as media outlets!
Video courtesy of: The MMA Hour
