The ninth annual Fighters Only world MMA awards are in and feature some exciting entries for the span of 2016. Winner of the MMA journalist of the year, Ariel Helwani has posted a statement to Instagram. The multi-award winning journalist made sure to not leave any stone unturned in his loving response to being granted the accomplishment.
“I will never take this for granted. Thank you very much to all who voted for me. After the year we had together, I think this one means a little more.” Helwani said.
Helwani has had a troubling year, as the journalist was unceremoniously cut out of the UFC after UFC 199 last June. The reporter later admitted that UFC president Dana White would do anything to ruin his career.
“Like I’ve said before, the way you’ve had my back since I started continues to blow me away. I’ll never forget what you did for me last year and will forever be thankful. I don’t know what I did to deserve your incredible support but it means the world to me. Thanks to Fighters Only, my amazing colleagues at Vox and the members of the MMA community who give me their time each and every day.
“I sincerely love covering this sport and I still can’t believe I get to do this for a living. Thanks to my family for their love and in particular my amazing wife Jaclyn for holding down the fort when I’m away. First time I got one of these we were just a couple and now we are parents to 3 angels! Lastly, I know it’s en vogue these days to be anti-media but I’ve never been more proud to be a journalist and hope I can continue to be one for many, many years to come. Thank you for letting me cover this sport for you. I love you all.” Helwani said.
