The ongoing feud between Ariel Helwani and Ali Abdelaziz continues to escalate. Get the latest updates on their clashes and the upcoming UFC 297 event.
| Ariel Helwani and Ali Abdelaziz: A Feud That Continues to Escalate |
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| The ongoing feud between renowned combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani and Dominance MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz shows no signs of reconciliation. Recently, Abdelaziz publicly attacked Helwani’s credibility regarding a potential UFC lightweight championship fight. The tension between them has been escalating for years, with previous altercations backstage and on social media. The feud has captivated the MMA community, and fans are eagerly waiting to see what happens next. |
It seems like there is no end in sight for the ongoing feud between renowned combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani and Dominance MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz. Over the past few years, these two have been engaged in a war of words on social media, with no signs of reconciliation. Recently, the tension reached a new level when Abdelaziz publicly attacked Helwani’s credibility regarding a potential UFC lightweight championship fight. Let’s delve into the details.
Abdelaziz took to Twitter to debunk Helwani’s claim that UFC lightweight champion Islam Makahchev, whom Abdelaziz represents, would headline UFC 297 in January against former champion Charles Oliveira. He dismissed Helwani’s scoop as ‘fake news’ and questioned his credentials as a journalist. Helwani, never one to back down, fired back by highlighting Abdelaziz’s travel ban issues, implying that he has the freedom to leave the country while Abdelaziz does not. This exchange is just the latest in a long line of confrontations between the two.
The animosity between Helwani and Abdelaziz dates back to UFC 271, where they nearly came to blows backstage. The initial clash stemmed from Helwani’s statement that Leon Edwards deserved a title shot against then-champion Kamaru Usman more than Gilbert Burns, whom Abdelaziz manages. This comment did not sit well with Abdelaziz, leading to a physical altercation between the two. Helwani recounted the incident on his show, The MMA Hour, describing how he challenged Abdelaziz to back up his threats.
Since then, the tension has only grown, with Abdelaziz banning his fighters from appearing on The MMA Hour, except for Kayla Harrison. This ongoing feud has captivated the MMA community and shows no signs of slowing down. Fans and fighters alike are eagerly waiting to see what happens next in this bitter rivalry.
UFC 297: What Lies Ahead
While the feud between Helwani and Abdelaziz continues to dominate headlines, let’s not forget about the upcoming UFC 297 event. Although not officially announced yet, the event is rumored to take place on January 20 in Toronto. The original plan was for a main event featuring Alexander Volkanovski and Giga Chikadze, but it has now been pushed to the February pay-per-view. Additionally, a fight between Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant 135 title is also scheduled for the January card.
Stay tuned for more updates on UFC 297 and the ongoing saga between Ariel Helwani and Ali Abdelaziz.
