• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Ariel Helwani Joins Yahoo’s New Combat Sports Vertical

  • The reporter is moving to Yahoo after three years at Vox Media and Spotify.
  • Helwani was once banned by UFC president Dana White for correctly reporting a story.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Editors’ note: This story was updated on Aug. 20 after Yahoo’s official announcement. 

Ariel Helwani is officially headed to Yahoo Sports and will be at the center of Uncrowned, a new combat sports media band. 

Yahoo Sports announced a multiyear partnership with Helwani on Tuesday, a day after Front Office Sports reported Helwani and Yahoo Sports were in advanced discussions.

“When I began this journey over 20 years ago, the goal was to be much more than just another sports journalist,” Helwani said in a statement. “This deal signifies a major milestone toward that goal. I’ve always wanted to own my content and I’ve always wanted to lead. And we are finally here, with the great Yahoo Sports by my side. What a dream.”

Helwani told his followers on X last week that he “decided to move on” from Vox Media and Spotify at the conclusion of his three-year deals with both companies. Those deals expired Thursday and Helwani had offers to renew both. 

SB Nation owns MMA Hour, the show Helwani hosted on the Vox Media–owned platform. With Yahoo, Helwani will host The Ariel Helwani Show alongside Eric Jackman, Conner Burks, Frank Lenz, and Petesy Carroll.

“I’ve had the great privilege of working alongside Ariel before and am thrilled to be able to do that again, at Yahoo Sports, and to build the leading combat site and community together,” Yahoo Sports president  Ryan Spoon said in a statement. 

Helwani, a Quebec native, covered the Paris Games for the CBC, but he is most known for his MMA reporting and hosting duties. He worked for SB Nation’s MMA Fighting and Fox Sports before joining ESPN in 2018, the same year the network entered into a seven-year deal with UFC. 

Helwani was banned from covering UFC after he correctly reported that Brock Lesnar would return to fight in UFC 200 in 2016. That supposed “lifetime” ban issued by UFC president Dana White was lifted a short time later, although White and Helwani had other run-ins in the years since.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Nov 23, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium.

Rape Suit Against QB Retzlaff Dismissed, but He’s Still Leaving BYU

Retzlaff admitted to “consensual” sex, violating BYU’s strict honor code.
Nov 16, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang celebrates during a team celebration lap after the playoff semifinal match against NJ/NY Gotham FC at Audi Field.

Michele Kang to Lead Lyon As UEFA Delays Multi-Club Ownership Ruling

Lyon’s Europa League fate remains unclear as Michele Kang replaces John Textor.
Jun 10, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass during minicamp at their South Side facility.
opinion

Steelers Win-Now Mode Is Good News for NFL Media Partners

The conservative “Steeler Way” has finally adapted—and media partners are happy.
Mar 15, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates in the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Little Caesars Arena.

Malik Beasley Is Latest Betting-Related Headache for NBA

It’s the third NBA betting scandal in the last year-and-a-half.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Leo Messi

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 19, 2025

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
June 17, 2025

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.
June 17, 2025

Zaslav Takes Pay Cut, TNT Sports Future Unclear in WBD Shake-Up

The TNT Sports parent company retools its executive pay after shareholder pushback.