Ariel Helwani, a prominent MMA reporter, is bidding farewell to ESPN after a successful three-year stint.
On Sunday, Ariel Helwani made the announcement of his departure from ESPN on June 15th through a 10-minute video shared on Instagram.
In the caption of his post, Helwani teased, “I have some VERY exciting news to share about my future in due time,” reiterating that departing from ESPN was entirely his decision.
Helwani expressed his gratitude, stating in the video, “It’s been an amazing three years. I know a lot of you have heard me talk ad nauseum over the past three years over how much working for ESPN has meant to me. It was honestly a dream come true.”
Reflecting on the opportunities during his tenure, he added, “All the interview shows, and DC & Helwani, and Ariel and the Bad Guy, it’s just been a great three-year run.” He clarified, “There are no hard feelings here. ESPN did offer me a new contract. They offered me a new contract, I got the opportunity to look at what was out there for me and I found a lot of exciting opportunities and a lot of things that I think the fans will like and be pumped about, as I am as well.”
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Helwani shared his excitement for the future, expressing, “Once I was given an opportunity to see what else was out there, I found a lot of things that really got me excited and I can’t wait to share those with you.”
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He reflected, “I have a lot, a lot of exciting things that I can’t wait to share with you. The long-time fans, the people who had my back, the supporters, are gonna be really pumped about it, and it’s kind of crazy that it’s happening on the five-year anniversary of UFC 199, when I was told my career was over and a bullet would be put in my head.”
As he transitions to the next chapter, Helwani assured, “I don’t feel like I work for any entity; I feel like I work for the fans because you guys saved my career. You guys saved me, there’s no doubt about that.” He pledged to continue covering the sport in a respectful, professional, fun, original, and unique manner, focusing on the fighters who are at the core of it all.
