Many of you keeping score know MMAFighting.com journalist Ariel Helwani was escorted out of UFC 199, but he wasn’t the only one. Photographer Esther Lin and video director E. Casey Leydon were also escorted out with their media credentials revoked and a lifetime ban issued according to Helwani.
My long-time colleagues @ekc and @allelbows were also escorted out of the building w/ me. Sorry to report no post-fight coverage tonight.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016
It’s obviously an unfortunate situation.
https://twitter.com/allelbows/status/739329711495516161
I really wish @allelbows and @ekc weren't caught in the crossfire of all this Helwani drama. I have so much respect for them & their work!
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) June 5, 2016
All three are well respected in MMA and it’s baffling to me for them to be removed and little to no explanation provided. I’ve never met Lin, but I’ve seen her work in many organizations, including Invicta FC. I also know my colleague Kenai Andrews has met her and Helwani also with nothing but good things to say about them and their work.
Perhaps someone can explain this to me?
UPDATE: The UFC has reversed its decision and lifted the lifetime ban on Helwani and his colleagues.
By the way, a petition is underway to restore Helwani’s UFC credentials. Interested readers can check it out here.
Jessica Andrade made an impressive debut to 115 pounds Saturday evening at UFC 199. She put away former Invicta champ Jessica Penne with a peppering of strikes to the body within two rounds.
.@JessicaMMApro analisa vitória no #UFC199: "Sabia que era melhor na trocação" > https://t.co/OM9LJ1Q8iv pic.twitter.com/ofy0tTGZnK
— UFC Brasil (@UFCBrasil) June 5, 2016
Meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board for Penne. This is her second consecutive lopsided loss and it’s clear her striking needs improvement. She tried to get the fight to the ground, but Andrade wouldn’t cooperate. I hope she figures it out.
Strawweight Tecia Torres attended the Canada Fitness Supershow June 4th and 5th at the Metro Toronto Convention Center.
https://twitter.com/TeciaTorres/status/739477630081060865
Toronto @headrushbrand pic.twitter.com/YXtA3MywHR
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) June 4, 2016
Torres watched UFC 199 from the comfy confines of the Real Sports Bar & Grill. I hoped she enjoyed The Six. It’s a great city.
It’s getting closer for #12-ranked Randa Markos (5-4-0) and Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger (6-2-0) to rumble at UFC Fight Night 89. Same for #5-ranked Valerie Letoruneau (8-4-0) and #11-ranked Joanne Calderwood (10-1-0).
Thank you to @fighteralias for your support on my road to #UFCOttawa just a few weeks left pic.twitter.com/fZwFFr8P1i
— Randa Markos (@randamma) June 5, 2016
Ready in 5 kinda girl 👌💗👊 #letsdothis pic.twitter.com/kV2KGNqDkH
— Joanne Wood (@DRkneevil) June 1, 2016
5 weeks 🇨🇦👊🏼 #LetourneauVsCalderwood #ufcOttawa #Canada #UFCFightNight89 https://t.co/cVZwQpOnfy
— Valerie Letourneau (@ValTroubleMMA) May 13, 2016
The strawweights are active, but where are the 135-pounders?
New Titan FC signee Carina Damm (22-12-0) will face Sarah Alpar (6-3-0) at Titan FC 39 June 10th in Coral Gables, Florida.
Check out this AXS TV article in which Alpar says she’s not too concerned about Damm’s past steroid use.
Best of luck to both ladies.
Wondering how Jamie Moyle’s been doing since TUF 23?
Started cutting my fight shirts since I have so many! Thanks @tworldismycage for this one 😊 #tuf23 #mma #ufc #wmma pic.twitter.com/RXEaMPMtIW
— Jamie Moyle (@LoveBoatJamie) June 4, 2016
In case you missed TUF 23, you can read up on the fight between Amanda Bobby Cooper and Moyle here.
And finally, many of you in Crossfire Nation already know this, but Women’s MMA Today is another great resource for WMMA information. Check them out on the regular!
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