UFC-ESPN deal: 5 shocking changes

#3 It's 'Ariel Helwani' time

Helwani accepting the best MMA journalist award

Ariel Helwani, arguably MMA's most-respected journalist, is headed to one of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's new homes, ESPN in June to cover MMA.

The 35-year-old Canadian MMA Journalist was one of the first picks by ESPN after it acquired the TV rights for UFC and he is all set to be the new face of MMA reporting under ESPN banner.

In addition to covering UFC on multiple platforms for ESPN, he will be hosting a new weekly MMA podcast on ESPN+ along with the former UFC contender and 'The American Gangster' Chael Sonnen.

The Duo is two of the most listened voices in the MMA world, and together, can put up an amazing program. The show will air for 30 minutes and its named "Ariel and The Bad Guy".

Ariel is also a seven-time winner of 'MMA Journalist of the Year' at the World MMA Awards and has a unique style of interviewing. He has been covering the sport since 2006 and is undoubtedly the most reliable source of insider information.

He is considered as the most respected MMA journalist by everyone other than the UFC president Dana White, who has a long history of conflict with the 'voice of MMA' Ariel.

Dana White, who has banned Ariel from UFC in the past, is not going to be that happy seeing him around way more than usual in the coming days.