Ariel Helwani Comments On Potential WWE/UFC Merger

WWE

It’s fairly safe to say WWE has had a rather newsworthy week.

Amongst the madness that was WrestleMania weekend, the controversial finish to the night two main event and the Raw after Mania creative takeover from Vince McMahon, it’s easy to forget that the biggest announcement in the company’s history was also made this week.

That of course being the WWE’s sale to Endeavor, and potential merger with the also Endeavor-owned UFC.

While the sale has led to a lot of questions from fans, one man who knows both UFC and WWE quite well is prominent combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani, who has worked for UFC in the past and continues to work with WWE via the UK’s BT Sport.

Giving his insight into the situation Helwani would appear on Recode Media with Peter Kafka.

Helwani said:

“[Nick Khan] has long been a combat sports fan. I think he may have even talked to you about it. I mean, his first entry into this world of representation was the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach. He’s long been a huge boxing fan, MMA fan, obviously pro wrestling fan as well.

“By the way, having Nick Khan and having Ari Emanuel… arguably two of the most influential agents of the last decade plus together at the negotiation table. Then you add a Dana White, you add a Vince McMahon. The characters here, the personalities here… Very much larger than life.

“Those two guys though, in particular… Ari and Nick, I think a lot of people in the business would say two of the very best at what they do in terms of negotiation, and now they are together,”

Helwani has history with two of the major players involved in the potential WWE/UFC merged company that being WWE President Nick Khan and UFC President Dana White.

Khan would serve as Helwani’s agent prior to joining WWE while White and Helwani share a more complicated past.

The UFC President White has been vocal of his dislike towards Helwani, specifically following an incident in the lead up to the UFC 200 event, even going as far as to hand him a lifetime ban from attending UFC events.

How this new WWE/UFC relationship will impact Helwani’s future with WWE is unclear, as WWE have been vocal supporters of him, most famously during his spat with AEW President Tony Khan.

Transcript courtesy of Fightful.

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• Ariel Helwani
• ufc
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