What happened: MMA journalist Ariel Helwani posted a tree-emoji laden message — '🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 You REDDDDDDSSSSS!' — voicing support for English Premier League side Nottingham Forest. The post follows a parent tweet in which Helwani showed off his Forest coffee mug ahead of a 'massive' Monday morning match for the club. It's a personal fandom moment from a reporter best known for combat sports coverage.

Why it matters: Helwani's vocal Forest support is a recurring side note in his social presence and underscores how cross-sport personalities use their platforms to connect with fans beyond their primary beat. For Forest supporters, having a high-profile media figure amplify the club adds visibility during a critical stretch of their season. The post carries no MMA news weight but trends within Helwani's wider audience.

What to watch: Watch for Helwani's reaction posts after the Forest fixture concludes, and whether his typical MMA build-up coverage resumes ahead of upcoming UFC events.