Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz banned broadcast networks — ESPN and TSN — from interviewing Dominance MMA fighters.
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Abdelaziz is well known for having a personal relationship with his fighters. He bonds with his athletes like no other manager. Although he is somewhat controversial, Ali keeps his fighters happy. He makes his fighters’ battles his own. And recently, he did just that.
Ali Abdelaziz drops a bombshell on ESPN
In his most recent tweets, the manager announced that he is banning ESPN from interviewing fighters under his contract.
All @espnmma you have been banned from talking to any Dominance fighters because you have a reporter who’s targeting my champions. You need an immediate investigation for corruption today.
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) July 13, 2020
According to BJPenn.com, the manager lost his cool after ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani said that Gilbert Burns should fight Leon Edwards before fighting for the welterweight championship.
It is worth noting that Burns was supposed to fight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 251. However, the company had to remove him from the event because his COVID-19 test returned positive.
Other than Helwani, Abdelaziz complimented other ESPN reporters. Ali said that he has no issues with Brett Okamoto, Marc Raimondi, and Jeff Wagenheim.
I love what @espnmma brings to the table. They have great reporters Brett Okomoto, Marc Raimondi, Jeff Wagenheim. I have no issue with these guys but enough is enough.
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) July 13, 2020
Furthermore, he also banned the Canadian sports channel, ‘The Sports Network’.
Also, TSN is on the banned list https://t.co/YECs0zYjga
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) July 13, 2020
Though it seems like Helwani triggered Ali, the manager did not specify any names. He did not even state the reason. It is not clear whether the ban is permanent. Besides that, no statement has been made by ESPN, TSN, or the UFC.
How did the fans react to the news?
As always, Ali received mixed reactions from the MMA community. While some fans appreciated the move, others did not.
Ali serious question, when Whittaker pulled out for the fight Gastelum took a fight with Adesanya for the interim belt (number one contender spot) why all of the sudden you start crying when Ariel suggests the same with Burns and Edwards ?
— Steven MMAADICT (@8Hoyos) July 13, 2020
I’m gonna be honest here. I use to hate Ali because I’m a big conor fan, but this guy is so loyal to his team I can’t help but respect the fuck out of him.
— Papa Sky (@MatthewSkypeck) July 13, 2020
Lol “ dear largest mma media brand in the world, you are banned from helping my fighters promote themselves” dominance mma where young fighters are held hostage to protect the feelings of the more notable fighters. gtfo. Fighters really need better managers.
— James Newman (@newmandjames) July 13, 2020
What is your reaction to the news?