Last month, longtime MMA insider Ariel Helwani announced that he would be partnering with Yahoo Sports, where he would launch a new MMA vertical called Uncrowned. And now, we know who will be working on this new vertical alongside Helwani as Yahoo looks to become a player in the world of combat sports media.
On Wednesday, Yahoo Sports announced five new hires for the new combat sports outlet on X, the majority of which have worked alongside Helwani in the past.
The biggest hire is the new editor in chief of Uncrowned, Shaheen Al-Shatti, who previously served as the deputy editor at MMA Fighting where he spent time with Helwani.
Chuck Mindenhall and Ben Fowlkes, who each also had spent time with Helwani previously at MMA Fighting, will also join Uncrowned in analyst roles.
Keith Idec and Cameron Hawkins round out the list of new Uncrowned hires. They will serve in specific analyst roles, with Idec joining to specifically cover boxing while Hawkins will cover wrestling.
🚨Yahoo Sports is adding some BIG NAME combat experts to the new @arielhelwani Uncrowned brand:
🥊 @shaunalshatti is Uncrowned’s new Editor in Chief. He previously worked at MMA Fighting, where he was Deputy Editor, and at The Athletic.
🥊 @benfowlkesMMA joins as an analyst.… pic.twitter.com/4nFsc9NS1f
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 11, 2024
Upon the release of these new hires, Helwani took to social media to offer some compliments to each new hire and affirm his excitement about the new venture, calling the newly formed members of Uncrowned a “combat sports dream team.”
A freaking combat sports dream team is being assembled, friends.
Unbelievably excited to reunite with my pals @shaunalshatti, @ChuckMindenhall and @benfowlkesMMA. Three of the very best ever.
I have long admired and respected the great @Idecboxing. Honored he’s on the team.… https://t.co/0JEhyRfIuc
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 11, 2024
Helwani has spoken in depth about his past experiences on platforms like ESPN that perhaps weren’t the most inviting work environment given his past issues with Dana White.
But so far, Helwani seems to believe that Yahoo simply “gets combat sports” unlike any other media entity he has worked with in the past.
“I can say quite confidently that there isn’t a non-broadcast media entity on the planet invested in combat sports like Yahoo Sports. MMA, boxing and wrasslin’. They get it. They are excited about it. This is great for all,” wrote Helwani in another X post.
And I can say quite confidently that there isn’t a non-broadcast media entity on the planet investing in combat sports like @YahooSports. MMA, boxing and wrasslin’. They get it. They are excited about it. This is great for all.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 11, 2024
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.