ARIEL HELWANI

I'm not doing Pulitzer Prize work where I'm unearthing major negative stories about the UFC or some big controversies. It's just kind of day-to-day fodder.

I don't love the term gatekeeper because it feels like there's a negative connotation attached to it, so I prefer to go with litmus test.

The fight game has never been just about winning.

Aspen Ladd is quite the enigma. She looks and acts like a Girl Scout out of the cage, but in there she is an absolute beast.

I want to be the Howard Cosell of MMA.

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

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

I love journalism.

Never a dull moment in MMA, right?

One of my roles, and one of the things I'm good at, is breaking news.

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

Rousey took the fast track and marketed herself well.

For whatever reason, the UFC wouldn't credential me during the first two years of my career.

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

You haven't lived until you've experienced a Tai Tuivasa walkout in person.

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

Don't get me wrong; I'm not advocating for five-month breaks, like in other sports. That's way too long. All I'm saying is it sure is nice to miss MMA from time to time.

When the UFC visits Canada, the card is usually filled up with a bunch of Canadians.

That's my role, I go get news.

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.

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

If you didn't watch Cris Cyborg vs. Felicia Spencer and just saw the 30-27 scorecards, you probably are thinking it wasn't a very close and/or entertaining fight. Wrong. Very wrong. I loved every second of that fight.

Israel Adesanya will not be Eugene Bareman's final UFC champion.

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.

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