“They are doing you a favor,” Ariel Helwani reveals benefit of former champions Aljamain Sterling and Jiri Prochazka fighting on the UFC 300 prelims

Ariel Helwani provided his thoughts on Aljamain Sterling and Jiri Prochazka fighting on the prelims of UFC 300.

“They are doing you a favor,” Ariel Helwani reveals benefit of former champions Aljamain Sterling and Jiri Prochazka fighting on the UFC 300 prelims

Ariel Helwani speaks on the placement of Aljamain Sterling and Jiri Prochazka at UFC 300 (Image via: IMAGO, YouTube)

UFC 300 has 12 current or former champions of the promotion who account for more than 10% of all UFC champions in history. Due to the stacked card, former champions like Aljamain Sterling and Jiri Prochazka are on the prelims. Many consider the placement disrespectful. However, Ariel Helwani, the noted MMA journalist, does not think so.

The famed journalist spoke about his thoughts about it in a recent interview. Helwani had an interesting take compared to others who felt that either Prochazka or Sterling should’ve replaced Bo Nickal on the main card.

If you're an Aljamain Sterling fan, you should be happy that you don't have to cough up to watch him fight for the first time in a long time. They're doing you a favor by putting one of those former champions on the free portion of the card.
Ariel Helwani via MMA Betting Mastermind
YouTube video

Helwani went on to explain that there was a time when prelims were only available to watch at the venue. Only the main card was available to see on television during that time. Since times have changed and prelims are free to watch, Helwani urged fans to make use of the opportunity to see Jiri Prochazka and Aljamain Sterling, among others, in action for free.

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Helwani also stated that if anybody was disrespected, it should’ve been Cody Garbrandt and Deiveson Figuerido. Garbandt and Figuerido open the early prelims. Since they were happy to do it without any objection, Helwani had no qualms about the order of the fight card.

Ariel Helwani on Bo Nickal’s placement on the PPV card

UFC 300 is a 13-fight PVV card. It has five fights on the main card, with four each on the prelims and early prelims. Interestingly, the middleweight bout between Bo Nickal and Cody Brundage opens the main card of the PPV.

Bo Nickal is on the main card, but Aljamain Sterling and Jiri Prochazka are not
Bo Nickal is on the main card, but Aljamain Sterling and Jiri Prochazka are not (Image via: IMAGO)

Some fans found the placement disrespectful since there are former champions in the prelims and early prelims. However, Ariel Helwani has a different opinion about it.

They want to push him, they want to showcase him...so that's promotion, right? That's to get people talking....so to me, it was kind of brilliant. It got everyone talking, it got everyone fired up again.
Ariel Helwani via MMA Betting Mastermind

Helwani also stated that the pay structure does not change depending on the placement of the UFC 300 card. Therefore, he applauded Dana White’s marketing strategy and that of the UFC. White and Helwani do not see eye to eye but the journalist remained full of praise for the decision.

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