MMA Journalist Ariel Helwani Thrown Out of UFC 199 Tonight & Banned For Life After Breaking Original Brock Lesnar Story

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani took to Twitter tonight following an incredible UFC 199 pay-per-view, stating that he and his MMAFighting.com crew had been escorted out by security prior to the main event, and stripped of their credentials. The reason? Helwani was the writer responsible for breaking the news that Brock Lesnar was close to signing a deal to fight at next month’s UFC 200 event; a breaking news report that has now been confirmed and made official. 

Photographer Esther Lin and video director E. Casey Leydon were apparently caught in the crossfire, and were also removed with Ariel. 

I was escorted out of the building by Zuffa staff before the main event. Credential taken away, too. Didn’t see Bisping realize his dream.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016

My long-time colleagues @ekc and @allelbows were also escorted out of the building w/ me. Sorry to report no post-fight coverage tonight.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016

I love this sport & this job with all my heart. Did nothing unethical. I reported fight news. That’s it. & then told we’re banned for life.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016

My teammates and friends @Ekc and @allelbows are the very best at what they do. I wish they didn’t have to leave with me. They did nothing.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016

Look, I know this isn’t pro wrestling news, but this is something that can not go unnoticed. Ariel is a respected journalist, and even if he weren’t, this isn’t okay. The Lesnar story was massive. He did his job. Any journalist in the UFC or WWE field, if given that info, would have been stupid not to run with it. It enrages me to see a company like UFC treating a passionate fan and dedicated reporter this way. It shows a complete lack of understanding (or total apathy, perhaps?) for journalism. I am supremely disappointed.