It seems that the UFC still has beef with Ariel Helwani.
On Tuesday, just hours prior to the start of the Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor world tour press conference kicking off in Los Angeles at the Staples Center, Helwani tweeted that he was removed from working with Showtime for the event as a specific request by the UFC.
Helwani: Not working for @SHOsports anymore on the May/Mac tour. Just learned UFC specifically asked to have me removed. Incredibly disappointed.
Not working for @SHOsports anymore on the May/Mac tour. Just learned UFC specifically asked to have me removed. Incredibly disappointed.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 11, 2017
Helwani: Took red eye from NY to LA only to get this news moments ago. Still credentialed for the tour and will also be in Toronto and NY. All good.
Took red eye from NY to LA only to get this news moments ago. Still credentialed for the tour and will also be in Toronto and NY. All good.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 11, 2017
Helwani: I must thank @StephenEspinoza and @BDailey223 for the opportunity and for fighting for me. Really wish this didn’t happen, but alas …
I must thank @StephenEspinoza and @BDailey223 for the opportunity and for fighting for me. Really wish this didn't happen, but alas …
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 11, 2017
Helwani: This was a dream opportunity. I’m obviously very bummed but will keep on keeping on. Thank you, as always, for the support. Much love.
This was a dream opportunity. I'm obviously very bummed but will keep on keeping on. Thank you, as always, for the support. Much love.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 11, 2017
Back in June of last year, Helwani along with a few other of his co-workers from MMA Fighting were removed in the middle of the UFC 199 event after Helwani reported that Brock Lesnar would be returning to fight in the UFC prior to the UFC announcing the news. Helwani and his team were told they were banned for life from the UFC. However, with much noise from fellow media members as well as support from fighters and fans, the UFC lifted the ban on Helwani and his team stating they would not prevent them from getting media creditials to cover their events.
For now, it seems as if Helwani will be looking to cover the Mayweather vs McGregor press tour when they stop in Toronto and New York on Wednesday and Thursday.
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 7/11/2017.