Ariel Helwani, Nerd, Says The Word "Violence" DISGUSTS Him When Talking About MMA
This happened three days ago and it somehow got through the cracks of Twitter and I missed it. I’m just getting around to hearing this insanity. Hand up, that’s on me. Won’t happen again.
Ariel Helwani on The MMA Beat said that we shouldn’t use the word “violence” to promote or describe MMA. Said it’s got negative connotations. Said the UFC shouldn’t be in the “violence” business. Said there was “nothing violent” about the Demetrious Johnson armbar. THIS ARMBAR!
Torquing back on another human being’s arm, trying to make it invert and pop out the way it’s not supposed to, while pinning them to the ground with your legs…that’s pretty fuckin’ violent, and Luke Thomas pointed that out. He had the “I feel like I’m taking crazy pills!” face on the whole time while this goof was trying to explain how we shouldn’t be excited over excessive blows to the head. THAT’S THE BUSINESS WE’RE IN, ARIEL! BARBARIC HUMAN COCKFIGHTING! CONCUSSION CITY! FACE THE PAIN! JUST BLEEEEED!
I don’t think I’ve ever said this publicly, but I don’t think Ariel Helwani likes me. I’ve had a very limited amount of interactions with him, and I’ve tried to be nice to him, but he’s kinda just been fresh in return. The first time was at a Bellator press conference at Madison Square Garden, where I introduced myself as a big fan (jerk off motion) who now covered MMA for Barstool Sports and asked if I could take a picture with him. He kinda laughed in my face and was like “You’re asking if I want to take a picture with YOU?” It was super awkward and I had to explain that I was asking for a picture, not like, asking if he’d want to be photographed with the legendary Bob. Whatever. Maybe he was having a bad day, maybe he was just confused. He took the picture, no harm no foul.
The second time I met him, he joined Barstool Radio on Radio Row the week of Mayweather/McGregor, and he talked Knicks with Michael Rappaport. When he left, he said something along the lines of, “Alright thanks guys, keep doing what you’re doing, you’re awesome”, took his headset off, looked at me, and said “Except you!” and laughed. I think he was kidding, and yes, that’s a weird joke to make, but once again, whatever. Don’t care. We make jokes, we bust balls, it was probably just him awkwardly doing that.
The next week, his producer, who seems like a great dude, brought up my fight with Floyd Sr. on The MMA Hour, and Ariel immediately said “I didn’t like this at all.”, dismissed it, and refused to talk about it. That’s when I realized, MAYBE he wasn’t kidding when he said everyone except me was awesome.
He’s still the best in the biz (by far with NO competition), and I respect the shit out of him, but personally, I’ve just had some weird interactions with him.
Advertisement
ANYWAY, Dana White is on Pardon My Take tomorrow, and I got his candid thoughts on Ariel. They’re great. Make sure you tune in!