MMA journalist Ariel Helwani responded to UFC CEO Dana White’s claim that the postponement of the Saudi Arabia event was the company’s choice, not because the host country is unsatisfied with the lineup. According to the reporter, the executive just wants to “spin” the narrative and that “it’s a bit of an ego thing.”
The report came more than a week ago, with Helwani sharing that the Fight Night March 2 event of UFC in Saudi Arabia will be pushed to June. In line with this, Helwani revealed that the sovereign Arab Islamic state is not satisfied with the lineup of the promotion, saying, “They want a more entertaining fight card, a deeper fight card with bigger names on it.” For the journalist, the move is also unsurprising for Saudi Arabia, given that what the UFC is offering is just a Fight Night event. It is also important to note that other promotions (Bellator vs. PFL PPV and the Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou boxing event) are also bringing high-profile events in Saudi this year, making UFC’s card appear less appealing.
The report allowed PFL Chairman Donn Davis to compare his promotion to the rival, saying that while the rival is capable of putting up an appealing card each time, it is something that it does not “often” do. Needless to say, White is not impressed with the claims, calling the details “bullsh*t.” Ultimately, the UFC exec contradicted Helwani’s detail that the postponement was initiated by the country due to unsatisfactory names on the card.
“We never even proposed a card to them…” said White last week. “So, we pushed the card back because we’re going to deliver. But never once was one fight proposed to Saudi Arabia, and they were like, ‘Yeah, no. This isn’t good enough.’”
Despite the attempt to defend the card, Helwani finds White’s explanation ironic, stressing it only confirms the matter further by saying that the card is indeed unacceptable. For the journalist, White only wants to deny the claim in order to protect the image of the promotion.
“He’s essentially confirming my report,” said Helwani on the recent episode of The MMA Hour. “He is saying that it wasn’t good enough, saying that he wasn’t happy with the card, and so he decided to move it. Ultimately, it’s a bit of an ego thing.
“It’s like, ‘No, no, no. I decided to move it, no one told me because no one tells me what to do.’ … I just want to ask you guys, over the last five or so years, has the UFC done anything like this? Have they said, ‘Oh, this card isn’t good enough, we’re moving it.’ No, they make lemonade out of lemons…
“Fights were signed, people had reported them…Ultimately, the powers that be in Saudi Arabia said, ‘This card isn’t good enough. Let us live to fight another day and push this to June.’ … They’re now doing events outside of Riyadh Season… This is all just spin (from White).”
