Ariel Helwani recently reacted to Dana White‘s latest comments about possibly mending their long-standing feud. He doesn’t seem to believe White’s remarks were sincere, but would have no problem putting their differences aside.
Helwani and White have been involved in a public feud since 2016. Before that, the Canadian MMA journalist regularly interviewed the UFC CEO. They discussed major events and even make announcements in the world of MMA.
One of the most significant announcements came when White revealed that the UFC had acquired Strikeforce. Despite their tension, the UFC CEO recently suggested that he might have regrets.
“How’s [Helwani] doing?’ White asked during his appearance on IMPAULSIVE. “I’m upset [with how the relationship is] too. Yeah, maybe we could figure this thing out. Maybe we should all get back together.”
Helwani responded on his show, The Ariel Helwani Show. He shared his thoughts on White’s comments, noting that he doesn’t believe the UFC CEO was extending an olive branch.
“To me, it comes off as [White] saying, ‘Where is that guy? That dude fell off, he’s not relevant anymore,’ Helwani said. “I don’t feel like anything that he said there was very sincere, I think it was 99.999 percent sarcastic.”
He continued:
“Usually when I’m brought up, he calls me all the names under the sun…This time, he just said what you just heard,” Helwani said. “Is that because I’m so irrelevant to him? Maybe. Is that because he misses me? Maybe. I don’t think it’s the latter.”
Ariel Helwani Explains Why He Would Make Amends With Dana White
Helwani also discussed why he would be open to making amends with White, should the opportunity presented itself. He mentioned that he had attempted to reach out in the past, but received no response.
During the episode, Helwani emphasized the importance of not holding grudges. He said he wouldn’t want to make peace just to gain access to the UFC CEO or become friends.
Helwani explained that making amends would be a personal decision, one that would allow them both to move on from their rift.
“Life is too short…If there was an opportunity to shake hands and be like, ‘Look, there was once a time where we were exchanging pictures about our kids and grew pretty close,’ yeah, sure I would like that,” Helwani said. “I believe holding grudges and having beef, I believe that’s a cancer to your body.”
Helwani Explains How He Puts Rift With White Aside When Covering Him
Despite the ongoing feud, Helwani has continued to cover UFC events and White himself. He explained how he manages to put his personal feelings aside when reporting on the UFC and its CEO.
While his personal feelings may remain complicated, Helwani still recognizes White’s importance to his career and combat sports.
“[White] is more important in my world than I am in his world,” Helwani said. “I have to be able to compartmentalize my feelings and cover him as an entity, cover him as the most powerful, important person in MMA. And that’s who he is and perhaps soon to be in boxing as well.”
Helwani has remained consistent with his feelings, but burying the hatchet would depend on White.
Ariel Helwani Reacts to Dana White’s Comments About Possibly Making Amends