There Are Two Sides to Every Argument, but This Time, Both are Correct

After UFC 199, MMA Journalist Ariel Helwani was temporarily banned from covering UFC events because during the telecast, Helwani announced that former Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar would be fighting at UFC 200. Between fans and the media, there were supporters and detractors on both sides of the dispute, as just as many thought that Helwani had been wronged as felt that UFC was justified in banning the journalist, even though the ban was eventually lifted. In this instance, as in most arguments, there are two sides, but strangely, in this case, both sides were correct in their actions.

Ariel Helwani does not work for UFC, reporting for MMAFighting.com, so he has no true obligation to UFC. As a journalist, he is allowed to report on the sport as he sees fit. According to reports, he broke the Lesnar story before UFC was able to report the signing on their own. While this might seem cutthroat in nature, Helwani was correct if he simply received some information and informed the fans of MMA with the information.

On the other hand, covering UFC events is a right not a privilege. No one is pre-ordained to cover UFC events, as those decisions are made by the company’s power base. If UFC felt that Helwani violated some terms of covering the company’s events, they were within their rights to deny access. The story states that Helwani was forcibly removed from the premises and this should never be allowed, but beyond this, if UFC wanted him gone, it is their event and they make the rules.

As the story goes, Helwani had an agreement with UFC that he would not leak the story, and would allow the company to report on the signing in their own time. Without knowing if this is true, seemingly, both parties’ stances are valid in this case, Helwani, unless there was a previous agreement, had every right to announce the news, and UFC had every right to prevent him from covering their future events.

Taking sides is the nature of sports, but in this instance, both sides make valid points, and the best solution would be what has already occurred; the ban was lifted but UFC’s point in matters such as these was made clear.