Sam Caplan notes that Josh Gross, Editor of Sherdog.com, is stepping down from his position there to take up a writing gig at SI.com and rightly wonders whether Dana White's longstanding ban/refusing to credential Gross will carry over when he takes up his spot at one of the most legitimate sporting news outlets in America. More importantly, Sam raises the question of what might happen to both the UFC and Gross if White continues the ban. Notable quote:

All too true.

But here's the salient issue in my mind: SI.com shouldn't stand for it. Sites like the one you are reading now and others similar to it - "new media" - don't get credentialed for any number of odd reasons and the vast majority of the mainstream press couldn't be happier be about it. That's unfortunate, because the fact is our best ally in the fight to get credentialed is when those in the mainstream press take our position in the debate or sympathize with our mission. In the same way, other MSM outlets should stand up for Gross and SI.com should the UFC choose not to credential him. If this site tried to raise a stink, no one at Zuffa would care very much. But if ESPN, CBS and NBC openly criticized the UFC for their attempts to control media coverage, the UFC would be under intense pressure to change.

I hope Gross gets credentialed, but if he doesn't, I hope the editors at the major outlets are prepared to take their fellow journalist's side. Best of luck, Josh.