Ariel Helwani leaving The MMA Hour on MMAFighting

Ariel Helwani is joining ESPN.

One of the world's most reputable mixed martial arts journalists is leaving behind The MMA Hour where he built his fame and reputation and he's linking up with one of the biggest brands in American media. He will form one half of a new weekly show that will be condensed into 30 minutes on ESPN alongside Chael Sonnen - The Bad Guy. ESPN confirmed the news on Thursday night that they were acquiring Helwani.

'Ariel and The Bad Guy' will team Helwani with professional fighter and ESPN MMA analyst, Chael Sonnen, for a fast-paced 30-minute weekly breakdown of the top stories, developments and upcoming fights. New episodes will be available on ESPN+ each Wednesday, beginning June 20, and there will be special episodes before and after major mixed martial arts events.

It means that the Canadian will be leaving The MMA Hour but he will continue a podcast with ESPN on Mondays - "same one as always". https://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/997279626358591489 And Helwani has committed to a weekly show, a weekly podcast and daily coverage online and on television as well as his pre and post shows for major events, https://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/997278822415458304 So he left MMAFighting with some nice words. https://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/997170405784907776 https://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/997170724589752320 https://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/997171530416181249