UFC Quickly Corrects Mistake By Reinstating Ariel Helwani's Credential, But Still Looks Bad In The End

After Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting.com, and formerly of Fox Sports, reported Brock Lesnar was close to agreeing to a deal to fight at UFC 200, the organization took away his press credential with a “life time” ban. Well, a life time lasted around 48 hours, as Helwani had his credential restored on Monday.

UFC says situation with @arielhelwani and https://t.co/7QUQcprGJ9 “has been rectified”

— Adam Hill (@AdamHillLVRJ) June 7, 2016

UFC has reinstated @arielhelwani. Happy to see this. Looking forward to continue the discussions it’s prompted behind the scenes, too.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) June 7, 2016

That’s quite a reversal, particularly after UFC president Dana White told TMZ earlier on Monday that the only way Helwani could attend UFC 200 was if he bought a ticket. Even with his press access restored, the UFC still took an opportunity to criticize Helwani.

“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.

UFC’s goal as the world’s leading mixed martial arts promotion is to cultivate interest in its world-class athletes and events, and deliver for the fans. We will continue to introduce this sport and its athletes to new fans across the world, and we will do so by working alongside media across all platforms.”

White and the UFC are still trying to squash a reporter doing his job by calling out supposed “recurring tactics” by Helwani that go “beyond the purpose of journalism.” The primary purpose of journalism is to be right, and in today’s instant-access world being first matters too. Helwani nailed it on both counts last Saturday night, with the Lesnar news and a report of the Conor McGregor–Nate Diaz rematch, it just didn’t fit what UFC felt should have been done.

A mistake has been corrected, and Helwani can presumably go on doing his job relatively unabated. But the UFC still looks bad, as a control freak initially and an outright infant child via their follow-up statement to restoring the credentials of Helwani and his colleagues.