Jun 30, 2015
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JDS
UFC 155
One of the most well cut ufc previews I've seen in a long time... Only if you forget about the actual result
Tim Boetsch at UFC 155; After the 3 rounds
If you buy the Ariel Helwani story about the absence of Mike Goldberg, you are a rube
Some fight fans caught a surprise when they flipped over to the UFC 155 PPV last weekend. Jon Anik's handsome mug occupied the space next to Joe "Throbbing Penis" Rogan normally occupied by the disgusting goatee and high school haircut of one Mike Goldberg. Hardcore fans heard the news the day before at the weigh-ins: Goldberg was "taking some time off."
Two friends "in the industry" independently contacted me. Goldberg, they said, had some sort of addiction problem. No one was willing to report it, typical of the MMA media. That is, until, sports gossipist Terez Owens reported rumors that Goldberg was "stuck in rehab" due to an addiction to Adderall.
The story stuck. That is until two-time MMA Journalist of the Year Ariel Helwani got hold of the REAL STORY. Let's start at the top.
Contrary to recent online reports, long-time UFC play-by-play man Mike Goldberg says a freak recent health scare was the only reason why he missed UFC 155.
I love this lead. You can hear the contempt in Helwani's voice. "Contrary to recent online reports..." Terez Owens is no two-time MMA Journalist of the Year. Oh, no.
After the event, UFC president Dana White said he was unsure when the veteran broadcaster would return Octagon-side. "Goldie's out for a while," White said, "and I don't know when he'll be back." White then refused to field any more questions about Goldberg.
Things Dana White also said? Goldberg is not ill, but is "taking some time off" as reported by MMA Junkie's John Morgan via Twitter.
Later in the week, rumors began to surface online that the 48-year-old Goldberg was battling drug addiction, however, when contacted by MMAFighting.com via text message on Friday, Goldberg denied those claims. "I'm doing well," he said.
"Those rumors out there are not true. I'm dealing with a complicated health issue but feeling better and hoping to be back to 100 percent by Jan. 26 (UFC on FOX 6 in Chicago). See you soon."
It would appear as if Goldberg is refuting the Terez Owens rumors. But look carefully.
"Those rumors out there are not true."
Those familiar with All The President's Men may recognize this as a "non-denial denial." Goldberg is not denying that he is in rehab because of an Adderall addiction. He is only denying "those rumors out there."
It is very easy to deny that you are not addicted to drugs and are currently in rehab. When Ariel calls your ass up you tell him, "I am not addicted to drugs, nor am I currently in rehab." (For the record, I cannot hear Mike Goldberg using the word "nor" in my head.) Instead, we are left with the non-denial denial and a vague explanation for his absence ("complicated health issue").
Goldberg declined to discuss his health issue in detail.
Of course he did. Surely, however, an esteemed journalist like Ariel Helwani has sources to turn to. And what do you know, he does! What's that, you say? Are they anonymous? BUT OF COURSE.
However, according to multiple sources close to Goldberg, who all asked to remain anonymous, the broadcaster suffered from a severe upper respiratory infection in October. The already-asthmatic Goldberg was then treated with large doses of medication to open the airway and treat the infection. Goldberg's doctor later confirmed that the medication taken to treat the infection in combination with his normal asthma medication caused severe side effects that affected his ability to work, which according to the same sources, was the reason he missed UFC 155.
There's nothing wrong with anonymous sources. That is if there is a legitimate reason (or reasons) for those sources to remain anonymous. And those reasons should be cited. "Sources close to Goldberg, who all asked to remain anonymous due to fear of being called a 'cunt' by UFC President Dana White..."
But why, exactly, would a source need to remain anonymous in this case? According to these shadowy harbingers, Goldberg suffered from little more than complications with his asthma medication caused by treatment for an upper respiratory infection. If the story is accurate, there's no need to remain anonymous. Medical complications do not put Goldberg's reputation at stake. Not to mention, why would Goldberg (or Dana White) refuse to put this out there on his own? I don't tell my friends about (relatively) minor medical issues, swear them to secrecy, and then act all cryptic about it when people ask why I disappeared. That is something crazy people do.
One final comment on sources. "Sources close to Goldberg..." This deserves further clarification, as well, to be taken seriously. Family, friends, coworkers, people standing in short proximity. Hell, Ariel could be the person "close" to Goldberg if the interview was conducted face to face.
All this is very typical when reporters use information from anonymous sources. That's fine. But you, dear reader, should remain skeptical. Ariel gives us no context. These people, literally, could be anyone.
I don't doubt the accuracy of the article. By accuracy, I mean, the information provided. I believe Mike Goldberg gave Helwani that quote. I believe some persons, somewhere, told Ariel some story about infections and asthma and medications. I don't believe Ariel is lying.
I do doubt the precision of the story, however. Ariel is a smart guy. I don't believe that he can look at the timeline of events - Goldberg's late removal from the show, Dana's terse message to the media, a week of silence, Goldberg's non-denial denial, and "multiple sources" unwilling to be named over a benign (PR-wise) medical issue - and conclude that this all adds up. It is tough to expect Ariel to explicitly raise concerns about the information. Yet, his tone, instead of skeptical, is authoritative. "Ignore those other reports, THIS is what happened."
So, what's the truth? Bayesian thought means I can't say with 100% confidence, and this story, while having some major issues, knocks that confidence down a bit (JUST A BIT). Yet, I still believe there's something else going on. A story as simple as "had an infection, reacted poorly to medication" should be straightforward. This one is anything but. My money's still on drugs.