One of my roles, and one of the things I'm good at, is breaking news.
Ariel Helwani
I love journalism.
If I have news and sit on it I'm not doing my job.
We need more coaches like Eugene Bareman in this sport.
Rousey took the fast track and marketed herself well.
When Misha Cirkunov started his UFC career a perfect 4-0, I really thought he'd be a legit player at 205.
I think Valentina Shevchenko has a great chance of breaking Demetrious Johnson's record of 11 straight title defenses.
There's no rule that states you must touch gloves before a fight.
Israel Adesanya will not be Eugene Bareman's final UFC champion.
I am being completely serious when I state this: Sage Northcutt might just be the nicest human being I have ever met in my life. He is sweet as can be. He doesn't have an evil bone in his body.
You haven't lived until you've experienced a Tai Tuivasa walkout in person.
The reality of this sport is champions make a heck of a lot more than non-champions, so the pressure to keep the title in order to keep earning that money is immense.
That's my role, I go get news.
I think Edmonton's Rogers Place is still the nicest arena I've ever been to.
I don't think we can fully understand just how much pressure is on these fighters' shoulders once they win the UFC title. It's a grind just to get to the title fight. You're not earning a lot of money, and the sport takes a real toll on your body. And then once you get the belt, you've got an army of fighters coming for you right away.
Orange County is one of the all-time great markets for MMA.
KSW might just be the best promotion you've never heard of.
If you have an issue with someone, call them out. Don't paint everyone with the same brush.
They don't make them like Trevor Wittman anymore.
When I'm watching a fight with my wife, when the women come on, I can tell she's more into the fight.
Never a dull moment in MMA, right?
It's one thing to boo, but to actually pelt someone down below because you're upset a sporting event went a certain way is just so bizarre to me.
Sometimes when a champ wins, there's a debate about who should be next for him or her.
I can understand why people have a hard time separating their feelings on Covington the man and Covington the fighter. He certainly doesn't make it easy. He's extremely polarizing on his tamest day. But it's important to note that he wants the world to hate him.
You have to entertain in the UFC. Like it or not, this isn't news. It has been this way for a while, and it will continue to be this way.
I'll never forget the 2019 edition of International Fight Week for a couple of reasons: Not only did I experience my first earthquake, but I also got to work as a sideline reporter for three NBA Summer League games.
Bruce Buffer will forever be synonymous with the UFC and is a living legend, but I very much enjoy when Joe Martinez works a UFC card. He's a pro with a great delivery.
Lord knows we've been guilty of getting too excited about a title reign only to see it last one or two fights.
Aspen Ladd is quite the enigma. She looks and acts like a Girl Scout out of the cage, but in there she is an absolute beast.
I've often felt that it was important to have an MMA media association, not so much to fight battles and things of that nature but also to teach a lot of the younger journalists.
I have no problem admitting I have a soft spot in my heart for Faber. He's a pioneer and a trailblazer and has always been a pleasure to cover. He's a great guy who happens to be my mom's favorite fighter, as well.
When the UFC visits Canada, the card is usually filled up with a bunch of Canadians.
I'm not trying to steal anyone's shine.
I want to be the Howard Cosell of MMA.
I have a lot of contacts, a lot of sources that I've developed over the years and I like to break this guy signs, this guy is fighting this guy, this event is happening on such a date.
I'm not doing Pulitzer Prize work where I'm unearthing major negative stories about the UFC or some big controversies. It's just kind of day-to-day fodder.
Well, the Cris Cyborg-UFC relationship has mercifully come to an end. The ending was ugly and unfortunate, but I can't say I'm too torn up about it.
I don't love the term gatekeeper because it feels like there's a negative connotation attached to it, so I prefer to go with litmus test.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is the most dominant fighter in the history of MMA.
Curtis Blaydes' ground and pound is really scary. Like, really, really scary.
I know he's not an MMA fighter, but can we just talk about how great Deontay Wilder is? He's must-see TV. Not since Mike Tyson has boxing had an American heavyweight who could hit like him... and talk like him, too. I love his interviews, his demeanor, his fighting style... the whole package.
I welcome someone who is willing to march to the beat of his own drum - to hell with the haters.
I've said this before, but I need to repeat it again: Nothing impresses me more than when MMA fighters handle a particularly tough defeat with grace and class.
I honestly don't understand how people don't enjoy watching Ryan Hall compete. I genuinely love every minute of his fights. They are different and fun. I'm captivated the entire time.
You know how some fighters retire but you have a feeling they will be back at some point? I don't get that feeling from Chad Mendes.
Different is good.
I hate when people discuss scorecards in title fights and say you have to decisively beat the champ if you want to win the belt. Not true. You just have to win three of the five rounds, really.
I'm always impressed by how fighters can compartmentalize their lives before big fights.
My oldest son's name is Oliver and my second son's name is Walter.
The record books might not indicate it, but if you ask me, Chael is a former WEC light heavyweight champion.
