Following last weeks title fight between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal, fighter manager, Ali Abdelaziz, took to Twitter on Monday, officially banning all ESPN MMA and TSN reporters from interviewing his fighters in the near future.
After ESPN MMA reporter, Ariel Helwani, told Daniel Cormier, Monday on their weekly MMA talk show, DC and Helwani, that he believes Leon Edwards should fight in a No.1 contender fight against, Gilbert Burns, who is the current No. 1 contender in the division.
“Usman just fought, he wants to spend time with his daughter. He has earned that opportunity, it’s been a very hectic few months for him,” Helwani told DC. “Let him chill out till the end of the year. In the meantime, they’re gonna go back to Abu Dhabi in September. What’s wrong with Burns vs. Edwards on one of those cards as a number one contender fight? Burns has won four in a row at welterweight, six in a row overall. Four is not equal to (Edwards eight consecutive wins in the division). Why does Gilbert Burns deserve a shot over Leon Edwards? I don’t get it.”
Helwani also wrote an article about his idea for a No. 1 contender fight, to decide who gets the next shot at the welterweight title.
Ali Abdelaziz did not take kindly to Helwani’s comments, to say the least.
Following Helwani’s comments, Abdelaziz, who manages Gilbert Burns, took to Twitter to let fans and reporters know how he felt about Helwani’s comments regarding his fighter.
“This one reporter trying to do some matches but everything he says is irrelevant stop giving this guy credit,” said Abdelaziz.
“I have nothing against Leon Edwards but the only reason this bitch is on Leon’s dick is because same management team as Conor and he want to show his loyalty to Conor. Gilbert is the No. 1 contender, he has a No. 1 next to his name and that’s all that matter.”
“Kamaru vs Burns is happening, Justin vs Khabib happening and he will not be allowed in the press conference, ask questions, anywhere near any of them. I was being cool but now it’s personal.”
“All ESPN MMA, you have been banned from talking to any Dominance fighters because you have a reporter who’s targeting my champions. You need an immediate investigation for corruption today,” said Abdelaziz.
I love what ESPN MMA brings to the table. They have great reporters Brett Okomoto, Marc Raimondi, Jeff Wagenheim. I have no issue with these guys but enough is enough.
“Also, TSN is on the banned list,” he concluded.
Gilbert Burns also took issue with Helwani’s comments, and he too went to Twitter to air out some of his frustrations.
“Only fair? Come on Ariel Helwani, I know you don’t like me and I couldn’t care less. But let’s go to facts I just knocked out the number five, and dominated the No. 1 contender (former champ). Leon has good wins but no one in the top 5, so as the REAL BOSS Dana White said, I’m next! That’s only fair,” said Burns in a tweet.
“Wow Daniel Cormier, the champ, my guy! The champ knows Ariel Helwani is a hater. July 20th is the one year anniversary of Leon Edwards last fight. I fought four times already, like the pandemic didn’t start last July. I’m next. Tell Edwards to revenge the three piece and a soda (from Masvidal), or fight Thompson.”
“The guy not fight within a year, they blaming the pandemic like the pandemic started last July. Im next period! Leon should fight Masvidal, Thompson or Colby! That is it.”
“Big shoutout to real reporters out there! Love u guys! A lot of real ones dedicating them self to the sport of mma especially in these tough times! Thanks for your hard work,” Burns concluded.
