A biography for Ariel Helwanihasn’t been written yet.
“I'm always curious to see how a fighter responds after suffering a first loss. I'm especially curious when that first loss is via knockout.”
“Different is good.”
“I always feel like I leave a Max Holloway fight week feeling good about the state of MMA.”
“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 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.”
“I don't mind showboating. Sports are supposed to be fun.”
“If I have news and sit on it I'm not doing my job.”
“I love Wednesdays.”
“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 think Valentina Shevchenko has a great chance of breaking Demetrious Johnson's record of 11 straight title defenses.”
“Rousey took the fast track and marketed herself well.”
“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.”
“There's no rule that states you must touch gloves before a fight.”
“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.”
“I'm always impressed by how fighters can compartmentalize their lives before big fights.”
“Don't get me wrong; I'm not advocating for five-month breaks, like in other sports. That's way too long. All I'm saying is it sure is nice to miss MMA from time to time.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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'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.”