Quotes from Ariel Helwani

There's no rule that states you must touch gloves before a fight.

Sometimes when a champ wins, there's a debate about who should be next for him or her.

I honestly don't understand how people don't enjoy watching Ryan Hall compete. I genuinely love every minute of his fights. They are different and fun. I'm captivated the entire time.

The MMA world is a much better place when the Diaz brothers are fighting and thriving, isn't it?

Jorge Masvidal is a star. That wasn't always the case. Hardcore fans always knew how good he was, but it always seemed like he would fall short in the big one.

Henry Cejudo actually saved the flyweights. Like, an entire division. I feel like this should be a bigger deal.

Rousey took the fast track and marketed herself well.

Lord knows we've been guilty of getting too excited about a title reign only to see it last one or two fights.

I hate when people discuss scorecards in title fights and say you have to decisively beat the champ if you want to win the belt. Not true. You just have to win three of the five rounds, really.

The reality of this sport is champions make a heck of a lot more than non-champions, so the pressure to keep the title in order to keep earning that money is immense.

I think Valentina Shevchenko has a great chance of breaking Demetrious Johnson's record of 11 straight title defenses.

Chael will forever go down as one of my favorite interviews because he always kept you on your toes.

I don't think we can fully understand just how much pressure is on these fighters' shoulders once they win the UFC title. It's a grind just to get to the title fight. You're not earning a lot of money, and the sport takes a real toll on your body. And then once you get the belt, you've got an army of fighters coming for you right away.

I've said this before, but I need to repeat it again: Nothing impresses me more than when MMA fighters handle a particularly tough defeat with grace and class.

I'm always impressed by how fighters can compartmentalize their lives before big fights.

I'll never forget the 2019 edition of International Fight Week for a couple of reasons: Not only did I experience my first earthquake, but I also got to work as a sideline reporter for three NBA Summer League games.

The record books might not indicate it, but if you ask me, Chael is a former WEC light heavyweight champion.

Rest in peace, Harold Lederman. When I was younger, my brother and I used to imitate his famous 'OK, Jim!' line while watching the big 'HBO Boxing' events. What an amazing character he was, and while I never met him, he seemed to be a lovely man.

I love journalism.

I've often felt that it was important to have an MMA media association, not so much to fight battles and things of that nature but also to teach a lot of the younger journalists.

My oldest son's name is Oliver and my second son's name is Walter.

Well, the Cris Cyborg-UFC relationship has mercifully come to an end. The ending was ugly and unfortunate, but I can't say I'm too torn up about it.

I have no problem admitting I have a soft spot in my heart for Faber. He's a pioneer and a trailblazer and has always been a pleasure to cover. He's a great guy who happens to be my mom's favorite fighter, as well.

I think Edmonton's Rogers Place is still the nicest arena I've ever been to.