- Ariel Helwani publicly explained why he thinks Dana White has been giving people some false narrative about the success of Power Slap League
- The MMA journalist was prompted to address the subject after the UFC boss declared Power Slap League has been a massive success
Ariel Helwani did not let Dana White’s comments about the success of Power Slap League slide in his show. The veteran MMA journalist refuted the UFC president’s previous statement that his controversial Power Slap League has reached the heights as far as viewership goes.
False narrative
Speaking on his podcast show, “The MMA Hour,” Helwani implied that White has given the public some false narrative regarding the success of Power Slap League. Helwani sarcastically pointed out that AEW’s ratings dwarfed Power Slap League but if it is already a success for White, then fine.
However, Helwani also clarified that being a talked-about subject in various discussions also doesn’t make Power Slap League successful.
“I follow the UFC. I don’t follow this nonsense…He did the classic ‘Thank you to the media for making this such a success.’ I mean if keeping a fifth of the AEW audience and hovering around the Mendoza line on the viewership ratings, if that’s a success to you and you know it ain’t. Then okay, you’re welcome. But it ain’t a success. Us talking about it has not turned this into a success,” Helwani said.
Helwani’s fiery comments came after White previously declared that Power Slap League has garnered millions to billions of viewers across multiple media platforms. The UFC president even remarked that at one point, a Power Slap League episode even went at par with the NBA in terms of viewership.
White’s revenge
For obvious reasons, Power Slap League has been plagued with controversies right from the jump. White remains unfazed and said that it is him that the media wants to attack and not the league itself.
White previously revealed that he and his team is about to release a documentary aiming to hit back at the media.
Ariel Helwani: Us talking about it has not turned this into a success at all.#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/KV8wtuk6bQ
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) March 13, 2023
