Shows
Level Change PodcastTake These Bison Bucks, Young Soldier | Ep. 387This holiday season, we look forward to seeing Jake Paul being sacrificed upon the altar of Dionysus. It’s the biggest turkey possible, and it is our strongest desire that it be cooked in the most violent way possible. Amen.Also, some awful news from the world of Karate Combat, where structural and financial problems have led to fighters and staff in revolt over non-payment issues. Seems like the milk’s gone bad over there. Check out this excellent article by Timothy Wheaton for a full accounting of the issues plaguing the promotion.Finally, we talk...
2025-12-191h 00
Level Change PodcastOh, The Feds WIll Be Right On It | Ep. 382Alright, kids. Stephie is taking the week off, so she left me the keys to the place. And I wish the circumstances were more fun, but we gotta talk about this rotten gambling scandal.Then there’s this card this weekend, and it’s not looking great. Not much on name value, but here’s hoping there’s some decent action on it. Otherwise, Mick Maynard needs another thorough roasting on social media. UFC Vegas 111 Card* Gabriel Bonfim vs Randy Brown 170lbs* Matt Schnell vs Joseph Morales 125lbs* Muslim Salikhov...
2025-11-0826 min
Level Change PodcastCold Night In Vancouver | Ep. 380So here’s what we’ve got: Stephie’s backing most of the underdogs, which is very rare. She’s also down on the card, while I’m not. I actually like it! Lots of disagreement on where this card is going or how good it actually is, but we had some fun breaking it down.And yeah, we’ve got hard times. No TV or film talk this week, but we do start off with a bit of things that are bumming us out. And if you’re bummed out, we’ll hold your hand, too. We’re all we’ve...
2025-10-181h 11
Level Change PodcastRoad Trip! Road Trip! | Ep. 364FREE EPISODE!! FREE EPISODE!!No fights this week, kids. But that’s good! We get a chance to change the pace for a bit and catch up with Stephie’s adventures on the road and talk a bunch of movie and TV stuff. After the niceties of it all, we delve into the odd timing for Ilia Topuria to split from his gym to make a new home for himself in Madrid. We also address the recent fracas in Russia involving Nate Diaz, and end it with what in the world is going on with Jon Jones. Is h...
2025-05-241h 11
Level Change PodcastGlue Factory Hours in Iowa | Ep. 362This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit levelchangepodcast.substack.comWell, this is an odd predicament. Stephie isn’t feeling this card too much, Victor is kinda liking the vibe. Where does this lead? I dunno, we just break down the card and address how some of the old-timers are being fed into the woodchipper here. Also, Victor’s forays into aging and mortality continue in new and terrifying ways. Stephie mocks him merci…
2025-05-0328 min
Level Change PodcastThe Immortal Episode with Matt Brown | Ep. 344In our latest episode, we look at the best fights from UFC Tampa, but fair warning, the pickings are slim. We look at all the things wrong with the last card of the year, as well. But the best part of the episode is Matt Brown stopping by for a quick interview with Stephie. Check out the fight card, fun factoids and our topic list for Matt’s segment.UFC Tampa Card* Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley 170 lbs* Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo 145 lbs* Manel Kape vs. Bruno Silva 125 lbs...
2024-12-141h 13
Hey Not The Face! PodcastMark Shapiro talks UFC broadcast deal, decreasing WWE shows | Ep. 91This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comYesterday, TKO Holdings president Mark Shapiro spoke to a group at Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology where discussion topics ranged from decreasing WWE shows by 1/3 over the next 12-24 months to the UFC broadcast deal and more. We discuss his talking points as well as whether Sean O’Malley is on track to be as big as Conor McGregor and what ONE Ch…
2024-09-1213 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastNew numbers suggest 2022 UFC fighter revenue may have been just 13% | Ep. 90This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comThis week, we discuss some new revenue share numbers after John discovered what looks like an error in UFC record-keeping. The error indicates that the revenue share would have been as low as 13% in 2022. We also discuss the latest press release about UFC Noche’s big production budget and the costly expansion that’s happening at the Apex. Follow along w…
2024-09-1020 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWill UFC lose money on the Noche event? | Ep. 89This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comJust a few weeks ago, Dana White predicted a nearly $30M gate ($27M was the exact number). Now, just a few weeks later, that number has dropped all the way down to $21M. Additionally, there’s been lots of suspect movement with the tickets for the event. We discuss the possibility of UFC losing money on the Noche card. We also discuss Turki AlalShikh’s c…
2024-09-0515 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastIs Dana White the best brand in sports? | Ep. 88This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comRecently, TKO Holdings’ CEO Mark Shapiro praised UFC talking head Dana White for being “the best brand in sports.” We dissect that comment and answer the question. We also discuss the curious case of Riyadh Season’s disappearing tickets for UFC Noche, and we circled back for some social media stats. Follow along with our outline as you listen.Ep. 88 Out…
2024-09-0310 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhy UFC's bloated roster isn't in the fighters' best interest | Ep. 87This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comThe UFC’s roster features more than 700 active fighters now, a number that might be beneficial to the promotion’s bottom line, but isn’t exactly bursting with tremendous upside for the men and women that step into the octagon. We break down why that is. We also take a look at the story social media tells us about the promotions struggling to gain some s…
2024-08-2917 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastHow a new ruling by 9th Circuit could impact UFC antitrust case | Ep. 86This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comThe UFC antitrust case could see itself impacted by a new ruling in the Ninth Circuit that puts arbitration agreements under a microscope. We discuss that as well as Dana White’s explanation for the erasure of Francis Ngannou’s mention in Israel Adesanya’s press conference comments, Conor McGregor’s “When I’m free” comment and more. Follow along with ou…
2024-08-2715 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhat we learned from Judge Boulware's denial of UFC settlement offer | Ep. 85This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comOn Monday, the honorable Judge Boulware denied the UFC’s settlement offer. The promotion had come to an agreement with the Plaintiff (the fighters) for the amount of $335M which would have settled both the Le and Johnson cases. While Boulware didn’t provide his written opinion, he did voice his concerns during the hearing, and we break them down, as wel…
2024-08-2211 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastBreaking down UFC financials and the challenge to TKO's validity | Ep. 84This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comIn this episode, we discuss a variety of topics, but our focal points are the latest UFC financials and quarterly earnings call, as well as the challenge to the UFC-WWE merger that’s being led by an Ohio pension fund. We also discuss PFL’s announcement of the Ngannou-Fereira fight and why no venue/location has been announced. Follow along with our outli…
2024-08-2013 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastHow important are Conor McGregor & Jon Jones to UFC? | Ep. 83This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comDana White has been doing the interview circuit with UFC-approved media, and almost always, the topic of Jon Jones comes up—mainly because Tom Aspinall is widely viewed as the best heavyweight in the promotion. All the interviews share a common thread, and that is White’s insistence that:* Jones is undisputedly Number 1 pound-for-pound* Jones’ legacy requir…
2024-08-1313 min
Level Change PodcastMick Maynard's Summer Break | Ep. 313It’s rough to stand out in the UFC these days, but it’s gotta be extra tough when you’re stuck on a Fight Night card at the Apex. Add to that the compounding factors of not being advertised and being placed on a card that’s utterly unappealing, and well… they’re not giving us their best. While it was an event we dreaded talking about at first, we had some fun digging in and giving some insight into it. We certainly hope you have as much fun listening as we did discussing it. In fact, that’s...
2024-08-1057 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastExamining the denial of UFC's proposed antitrust settlement | Ep. 82This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comLate last week, the honorable Judge Boulware denied the UFC’s settlement offer of $335M in their antitrust case. Both the Plaintiffs and the Defendant were left reeling after the decision came down the pipeline. Now, the cases (Le class and Johnson class) are separate once again, and an October trial date has been set for the Le class. In this episode, …
2024-08-0611 min
Level Change PodcastAbu Dhabi Doozie | Ep. 311It’s a great week for UFC action, as they head back to the UAE for a banger of a Fight Night event. It’s already hot enough in the desert, but this should take things over the top. Victor’s back from vacation, and Stephie’s got so much goodwill and energy this week as Cory Sandhagen will attempt to solve the riddle that is Umar Nurmagomedov.Also, Shara Bullet returns, and we get some solid bangers in the form of former flyweight champ Deiveson Figuereido vs Marlon Vera and newcomer Jordan Vucenic vs Guram Kutateladze.UFC...
2024-08-0358 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastConor McGregor's BKFC Ownership Stake + UFC Broadcast Deal | Ep. 81This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comLast week, we provided some details on BKFC’s finances, but didn’t have the ownership shares information. Now, we do, and we know Conor McGregor’s stake in the promotion. We also discuss UFC’s broadcast partnership deal and what the future can hold, as well as what’s happening with PFL, and Riyadh Season’s latest deals in boxing. Follow along with our o…
2024-07-3011 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastReviewing BKFC Finances | Ep. 80This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comThere’s not been much in the way of financial information about Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) available, so we located their filings from the beginning of the year and are giving them a review. The episode also examines the stability of the UFC flyweight division, as it has the appearance of being in trouble again after recent comments from …
2024-07-2512 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhat a Trump win could mean for combat sports | Ep. 79This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comPresident Joe Biden announced yesterday that he was declining the democratic nomination and withdrawing from the race. He then gave his endorsement to VP Kamala Harris, which has been echoed by more than 1000 delegates who have endorsed her. Her team also raised $81M in campaign contributions in a single day, setting a new record for the largest, single…
2024-07-2317 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhat do we make of Nate Diaz' lawsuit against Fanmio? | Ep. 78This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comA few days ago, Nate Diaz made news when he filed a breach of contract lawsuit against the promoter of his recent boxing match with another former UFC star, Jorge Masvidal. According to Nate’s attorneys, he was only paid $1M of the reported $10M he was supposed to make. We break down the lawsuit, as well as what Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry could be facing …
2024-07-1811 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastIs the UFC antitrust case headed to trial after all? | Ep. 77This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comLast Friday, Richard Boulware, the presiding judge in the UFC antitrust case, held a status hearing where he led many in attendance to believe he has issues with the particulars of the current settlement offer. In this episode, we look at what his concerns are, why the Plaintiffs are desperate to settle, if the UFC would possibly increase the settlement…
2024-07-1615 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastOur review of UFC's Fight Inc. doc + Fox's interview with Dana White | Ep. 76This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comAfter weeks of putting it off, we finally managed to record our in-depth review of UFC’s “documentary” series, Fight Inc. The quotes are because this is more like UFC propaganda and less like a documentary. We reviewed the things they focused on, the things they didn’t and who stood out the most to us.We also took a closer look at Dana White’s interview…
2024-07-1112 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastHow well did Diaz & Masvidal do financially + listener questions | Ep. 75This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comOver the last several days, the community has had some big stories drop and been treated to a weekend of boxing. Among the bouts over the weekend was the one featuring former UFC stars Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal—a surprisingly entertaining fight that delivered a massive crowd and a lot of action (1400+ punches thrown between them). We take a look at t…
2024-07-0914 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastA closer look at Nakisa Bidarian's interview with Ariel Helwani | Ep. 74This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comYesterday, Nakisa Bidarian gave a rare interview to Ariel Helwani. The co-founder of MVP (Most Valuable Promotions) and former ZUFFA CFO spoke at length on the MMA Hour about a wide variety of topics including Jake Paul’s boxing bout with Mike Tyson and how that came together, what he thinks of a fighter’s union, what’s happening with Jake’s MMA debut a…
2024-07-0410 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastHow Power Slap and regulatory capture go hand in hand | Ep. 73This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comThis past weekend, UFC saw their summer tentpole event derailed by numerous cancellations, but none were felt more than Conor McGregor’s. Rumors swirled around an injury for weeks, yet the UFC kept mum. When McGregor pulled out of the pre-fight press conference in Ireland, everyone in the community knew something was up. Soon, ESPN and UFC stopped adver…
2024-07-0217 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastLatest UFC antitrust settlement news + details of ONE's ACRA filing | Ep. 72This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comAlmost two weeks ago, the honorable Judge Boulware decided he needed more explanation of why the Plaintiffs in the UFC antitrust case accepted a much lower settlement than the amount they were suing for. As a result, a new settlement proposal had to be submitted. We discuss why the judge had issues, what changes were made and more.The latter portion of …
2024-06-2735 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastUnpacking Dana White's interview with Shannon Sharpe | Ep. 71This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comA little over a week ago, Shannon Sharpe’s ‘Club Shay Shay’ interviewed UFC’s Dana White. The interview covered a variety of topics, but it was clear that Sharpe either missed some crucial talking points in his research or chose not to ask them. One thing is certain, Dana’s answers sometimes don’t quite add up, so we’ve taken the time to do a review of …
2024-06-2513 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWill the Saudis have hurdles in their quest to take over boxing? | Ep. 70This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comLast week, several mainstream outlets including Reuters and the NY Times reported Saudi Arabia’s plans to form a unified boxing “league” that they would control. Plans to heavily invest in existing promotions like Golden Boy and Matchroom are already being discussed according to details from said reports. In this episode, we discuss what the Saudis may …
2024-06-2014 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhat's up with the UFC antitrust settlement? | Ep. 69This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comJudge Boulware didn’t sign off on the UFC antitrust settlement, opting instead to set a new hearing for the Plantiffs to present their case as to why they accepted such a small amount for both classes. In this episode, we discuss all the details, why the judge held off on approving the settlement, whether the case could be headed to trial and more. Foll…
2024-06-1810 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastConor McGregor will get much more than first expected from UFC antitrust settlement (pt. 2) | Ep. 68This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comToday’s episode is the larger portion of our hodge-podge segment. Our coverage included a full breakdown of the Fury-Usyk numbers and what they mean, what exactly is the transactional relationship with Donald Trump and UFC, a revised estimation of Conor McGregor’s expected antitrust settlement payout, and more. Part 1 is free and can be found here. Foll…
2024-06-1307 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastDid UFC give fighters a purse increase during the antitrust case? (pt. 1) | Ep. 67This week’s segment is a hodge-podge of several questions based on current MMA and boxing news. We also have more detailed information from the antitrust case settlement documents that we’ll present, as well. Once again, we’ve divided it into two episodes, one for today and the other half on Thursday. Today’s portion is free. Thursday’s will have part of it behind a paywall. *Please note that we’ll be including the pertinent information for current and former UFC fighters on how to ensure they receive their antitrust case payouts for the next several mont...
2024-06-1125 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhat every fighter should know about the antitrust settlement, pt. 2 | Ep. 66On Tuesday, we released the first half of this episode. In Part 1, we broke down the antitrust suit, the settlement details, how much the attorneys for the Plaintiffs are seeking and began discussion on the two classes. In Part 2, we go over what each class should be getting, how and why the money will be divided up between the classes, how fighters can ensure they receive their money and more. Follow along with our outline as you listen. Reminder: Both parts of this very important episode are free.* What are the two classes? * Who is...
2024-06-0628 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhat every fighter should know about the antitrust settlement, pt. 1 | Ep. 65Over the last couple weeks, filings from the settlement in the UFC antitrust case have been made available, so we figured this would be a great time to do a complete rundown of the antitrust case and its settlement, but this time, it’s geared towards the fighters aka the Plaintiffs. We’ve addressed a variety of topics to help fighters understand the case, the settlement, the two classes and who is a member of each, what kind of money they can expect from the settlement, and most importantly, how they can ensure they get their checks/wire transfers.
2024-06-0423 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastInterview exclusive: Matt "The Immortal" Brown, pt. 2 | Ep. 64This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comOn Tuesday, we released the first segment of our in-depth interview with freshly retired UFC star Matt “The Immortal” Brown. The longtime fan favorite fielded all our questions, giving us nearly an hour of his time. Part 1 involved the following topics:* It’s been three weeks or so since you announced your retirement. What have those three weeks been like…
2024-05-3005 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastInterview exclusive: Matt "The Immortal" Brown, pt. 1 | Ep. 63A few weeks ago, Matt Brown announced his retirement from the UFC. Fans around the globe registered outright shock at the longtime crowd favorite’s decision to step away from the game, but we wished him well and shared our favorite memories, happy that he was able to escape the sport on his own terms and with his wits about him. He’d hoped to go out with UFC 300, and when Jim Miller asked for that fight, the community roared collectively at what a phenomenal contest it would be. Alas, the UFC decided to grant Bobby Green the spot agai...
2024-05-2816 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastHow the UFC is a microcosm of the U.S. economy (pt. 2) | Ep. 62This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comOn Tuesday, we released the first half of this segment on how the UFC is basically a microcosm of the U.S. economy. Today, we’re releasing the other half. I’ve copied over that post, since the outline applies here, as well. We hope you’ll find part 2 of this in-depth explainer illuminating.The UFC has done nothing but grow exponentially since The Ultima…
2024-05-2305 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastHow the UFC is a microcosm of the U.S. economy (pt. 1) | Ep. 61The UFC has done nothing but grow exponentially since The Ultimate Fighter basically saved the promotion’s bacon back in 2005. These days, TUF doesn’t even bring in new eyeballs, but its place is secured as one of the reasons the UFC is the money-making juggernaut it is today. And with the antitrust case being wrapped for the bargain price of $335M, with no real changes to their business model, it’s looking like they’re poised to continue cornering the market and making money hand over fist.Nash has had a theory that the UFC functions like a m...
2024-05-2129 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastAnalyzing Canelo & Inoue's recent numbers | Ep. 60Canelo Alvarez and Naoya Inoue have had enormous success in the ring this month, with both men enjoying big wins last week. In the days since, PPV buyrate numbers have been released for Canelo’s fight that might have you scratching your head as you try to determine if the tally Dave Meltzer put out should be considered a success or not.We also took a look at Naoya Inoue’s promoter’s comments about what his purse looked like for the Nery fight and about a big offer they received from the Saudis. Interspersed with our two ma...
2024-05-1622 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastBreaking down the UFC's latest SEC filing and earnings call | Ep. 59This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comLast week was a busy one for the UFC. The company had their quarterly earnings call and latest SEC filing both make the news cycle. Fresh off the UFC 301 PPV card that very likely didn’t break 200K buys, the promotion is still sitting pretty. Through previously released documentation, we know that they make $20M from ESPN for every PPV event, so when th…
2024-05-1418 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastCritical Analysis: Forbes' Most Valuable Combat Sports Promotions 2024 | Ep. 58This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comA few weeks ago, Forbes released an article comparing the finances of the more established and well-known combat sports promotions. While they were correct in their ranking of the UFC at number one and WWE at number two, they seem to have missed some details in their estimations of some of the promotions’ financial standing. We examine their claims to d…
2024-05-0935 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastInterview exclusive: Stephen Espinoza | Ep. 57This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comLast fall, rumors began swirling that Showtime Boxing was being shuttered after their last event of 2023 to the dismay of boxing fans around the world. It would only be a matter of weeks before the rumors were confirmed that not only Showtime Boxing was being shuttered, but all of Showtime Sports, which meant that Bellator was left in limbo. After 38 ye…
2024-05-0728 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastCan the FTC's new ruling on non-competes affect MMA contracts? | Ep. 55The FTC recently announced a ban on all non-compete agreements, including those already in practice. To this point, it was up to the individual state whether they were legally enforceable. Some states, like California, have banned them altogether, while others embrace them. Now, the choice has been removed. But don’t let this wonderful news lull you into a false sense of security. It’s already being challenged with lawsuits, two of which were launched in the state of Texas within hours of the ruling.In this episode, we take a look at the language of the ruli...
2024-04-3012 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastReview of Bob Arum's custom-built boxing card comparable to UFC 300 | Ep. 54This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comUFC 300 has come and gone, but since it was such an important card, there’s been a lot of news for us to parse. In this episode, we take a look at the UFC’s claims of how well the card did and estimate how well the card actually did financially. Spoiler alert: It’s a lot. From there we had a side-discussion about the possibility of a UFC-WWE bonded figh…
2024-04-2513 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastRyan Garcia's triumphant weekend + big boxing news from Saudi Arabia | Ep. 53This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comRyan Garcia shocked the world when he put Devin Haney on the canvas three different times and rocked him a few more en route to his majority decision victory Saturday night. Since then, Ryan has claimed that he successfully trolled the world and he was never having a mental health crisis, proclaimed that he drank and smoked every night of his camp and t…
2024-04-2312 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhat are Ryan Garcia's options if he loses to Devin Haney? | Ep. 52The lead-up to the boxing match between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia has been anything but traditional or ordinary. Ryan Garcia, either through advice from his management team or strictly on his own, has opted for a salacious, oft-times concerning approach that has left many wondering if he’s even fit to compete. There have been numerous incidents including a purported kidnapping, Live spaces where he’s preached “the word of God” to sex workers, and most recently, showing up with his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, to throw out the first pitch at a Mets game, but being escorted...
2024-04-1817 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastCan any other promotion survive the UFC? | Ep. 51This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comWith UFC 300 in the books and the antitrust settlement all but ensuring that the promotion will continue doing business as usual, we thought a thorough analysis of what the current state of MMA is, what its future looks like and if any of the more prominent promotions will be around by the time UFC 400 gets here. We look at the UFC’s current and future …
2024-04-1635 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastUFC 300: A few points of business | Ep. 50UFC 300 is just hours away and the PR machine is in hyperdrive. From revelations of newly designed gloves to announcements of massively increased bonuses (sorry, Fighters, it’s just for this event), there’s a lot of fluffy, sugary, feel-good stories dominating community media. We decided to tackle three topics to shine a light on some things you may not be aware of.The glove redesign announcement was the first topic we discussed. While the new hand-gear won’t be implemented at UFC 300, it was revealed as part of the promotion’s marketing campaign for the event, sort of...
2024-04-1327 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastUFC 300 interview exclusive: Jim Miller on why he's self-managed | Ep. 49This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comUFC 300 will undoubtedly be the the most stacked card of the year, but it remains to be seen if it will do the highest PPV buy rate, especially with rumors of a Conor McGregor return this year, but for now, this mega-event is the big one. With 12 current or former champions, it could be the most talent-rich show we’ve ever been treated to, and among tha…
2024-04-1130 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastBreaking down Matchroom finances | Ep. 48This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comMatchroom is an entity that is far more than just a British boxing promotion. As a matter of fact, there are multiple Matchroom branches, both in the UK and even in the USA. Their financial filings were released a few weeks ago, so we scrutinized them, crunched some numbers and have those findings here in an easy to understand dissection. Everything fro…
2024-04-0917 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastBreaking down the PFL fighter contract (part 1) | Ep. 46The UFC contract has long been the blueprint by which all other promotions modeled their own contracts upon, so it stands to reason that most contracts look similar. That said, some promotions go the extra mile to be even more draconian and restrictive than their predecessors. PFL is certainly trying to outdo all the others with theirs. The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.We were able to obtain a copy thanks to a...
2024-04-0241 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastShow Money 58: Breaking down the UFC antitrust settlementNow that the UFC antitrust case has ended with a settlement, many are left wondering what the detail of it are aside from the settlement total the community was given. As it stands right now, we know the amount was for $335M and that both cases were settled. Outside the 50 day suspension of the trial (so they can wrap the case) and an order for both parties to file a status report on or before May 1, 2024.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider...
2024-03-251h 28
Hey Not The Face! PodcastFacts you might not know about the UFC antitrust case settlement | Ep. 45Earlier today, it was announced that the Plaintiffs (the fighters) in both UFC antitrust cases have reached a settlement with the Defendant (UFC/Zuffa) in the amount of $335M—a figure that will end up being tax deductible for the UFC. No further details were released other than a 50 day suspension of the case (to approve the settlement) and an order for both parties to file a status report on or before May 1, 2024.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or...
2024-03-2015 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastUFC antitrust case primer (part 2) | Ep. 44This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comIn part 1 of our UFC antitrust case primer, we went through the suit, starting with its inception, then going through the entire process. We broke down legal terminology, who the named Plaintiffs are and who the Defendant is, when they filed and why it took so long to get to trial. There is also a thorough explainer of how there came to be a second anti…
2024-03-2028 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastUFC antitrust case primer (part 1) | Ep. 43This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.comAfter being in what seemed like limbo for the better part of a decade, the UFC antitrust case is finally headed to trial in about four weeks. The Plaintiffs (the fighters) will present their case via a crack team of attorneys including MMAFA founder Rob Maysey. The Defendant, better known as Zuffa and/or the UFC, has already gone through a string of set…
2024-03-1836 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastUFC & right wing politics, Saudi Arabia's boxing, Bloody Elbow's demise | Ep. 42In our latest episode, we discuss several topics, starting with the sale of Bloody Elbow and subsequent deletion of all its UFC antitrust content, as well as anything highlighting their business practices. There is an interesting conspiracy theory floating around, and it’s one that doesn’t seem too far-fetched, so we led the conversation with that.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.We also look at the UFC’s increasing use of right...
2024-03-1346 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhy is Francis Ngannou so unique? | Ep. 41Francis Ngannou got away and we’re so very happy he did. Going from a $600K payday in the UFC—all because of the UFC’s hard-nosed tactics at the negotiation table—to a 10-figure purse in your second boxing match is unheard of unless your name is Conor McGregor. Ngannou may be giving the Irish superstar a run for the money in that regard very soon, and might even wind up on the coveted Forbes List this year. But how did he get there?The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive...
2024-03-1235 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastUFC has another banner year in revenue + earnings | Ep. 40TKO Group Holdings, the conglomerate that went public last fall after the merger of the UFC with the WWE, released its full 2023 financial results last week. Having reported on their SEC and investor reports for the first and second quarter of last year, I am once again only going to focus on what we learn about the UFC’s finances from their 8-K, 10-K and earnings call.The big takeaway is that everything was gold for the UFC, setting records in almost every category. They saw increases in their revenue (including increases in each of the four se...
2024-03-1226 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastCould Ryan Garcia's callout of UFC's Sean O'Malley ever happen? | Ep. 39Ryan Garcia has once again called out UFC’s bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. Boxing’s babyfaced superstar engaged in a back-and-forth on X (formerly Twitter) with the UFC bantamweight champion, prompting many to wonder if Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions would be able to co-promote a fight with the UFC between the two sluggers. O’Malley has issued his own boxing callout last year, only it was to Gervonta Davis. Garcia actually replied back then, suggesting a fight of his own with O’Malley.Now, with a title fight already made official with super lightw...
2024-03-1249 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastHow the WWE lawsuit could impact TKO Holdings and UFC | Ep. 38The WWE is in hot water thanks to a lawsuit filed by former employee Janel Grant. The lawsuit alleges Vince McMahon, other officials and even included a former UFC superstar engaged in sex trafficking and/or sexual assault and the suit came with evidence. McMahon resigned from all his positions at WWE and TKO Holdings within hours and the evidence from court documents has been appalling, to say the least.The news came just 48 hours after the announcement that WWE had signed an incredibly lucrative deal with streaming giant Netflix worth a staggering $5B over 10 years. With...
2024-03-1246 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastSetting the record straight: Dana White and Joe Rogan | Ep. 37A pair of unrelated videos surfaced yesterday that grabbed our attention, mainly for the inaccuracies contained in both. The first is a short clip of an interview former presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy conducted with Dana White. The second is from the Joe Rogan Experience and features a conversation between Joe and former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub. Eddie Bravo was also there but the meat and potatoes of the clip is mainly between Joe and Brendan.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming...
2024-03-1230 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhat's going on with Conor McGregor's UFC sunset clause? | Ep. 36Conor McGregor is—and has been for years—one of the most enigmatic figures in combat sports. Hell, he’s one of the most enigmatic figures in all of sports. Much like Ronda Rousey, he’s had a transcendent career journey, crossing the threshold between sports and pop culture. And with pop culture actually driving the demand for more events, stars like Conor are gold mines.Over the course of the better part of the last year, McGregor has been the source of much speculation as to when he’ll finally make his return to action, but the situat...
2024-03-1229 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastFrancis Ngannou could out-earn Conor McGregor in 2024 | Ep. 35Over the course of the last few weeks, several boxing stories have dropped. We watched Showtime air its last boxing event after nearly 38 years of broadcasting the sport. From there, PBC, who had been calling Showtime their broadcasting home, ended up signing a huge deal with Amazon, so we’ve got one major promotion secured and accounted for.That brings us to Top Rank. Bob Arum, Top Rank’s founder and CEO, has been talking about selling the company for years. It would be a costly expenditure for whomever decided to take the plunge—Nash estimates the asking...
2024-03-1240 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastMMA's top 3 stories of the year + what we think will be top in 2024 | Ep. 34MMA has had an incredible year news-wise, thanks mostly to three big stories. We’ve seen all sorts of drama, from the New Year all the way to now. We opened the first week of the year with Dana White assaulting his wife on video for the world to see. We’ve seen Power Slap become a real thing and it has now been sanctioned in California—something we would have never believed could happen last year.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consid...
2024-03-1233 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastNew report: UFC owners took out loans to pay themselves big bucks | Ep. 33The UFC antitrust case is the gift that keeps on giving, especially recently. You may be asking yourself “What’s happened now?” and the answer to that question would be class certification. Once the honorable Judge Boulware awarded the plaintiffs class certification, it set the wheels in motion for an avalanche of discovery. Thousands of documents, text messages, e-mails and more have come to see the light of day, finally.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber....
2024-03-1240 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastMajor UFC antitrust update: Injunctive relief could be indicated for plaintiffs | Ep. 32The UFC antitrust lawsuit spent three years stagnating and then a few months ago, we got big news: the honorable Judge Boulware assigned class certification and gave detailed notes that left no doubt he thought the plaintiffs had a solid case. Since then, it’s been a near-constant stream of updates, starting with the defendants’ official appeal—which was almost immediately denied by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.T...
2024-03-1246 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWe have payout details for every UFC fight between 2011-2016 | Ep. 31Yesterday, news broke that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the UFC’s appeal to the antitrust lawsuit, so of course we had to record in the dead of night to bring our listeners all the details. John explains all the upcoming dates the honorable Judge Boulware has set forth and what happens next.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.John has accessed the mammoth list of payouts—all UFC fights between 2011-201...
2024-03-1244 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastHow Jon Jones is really the one who fumbled the bag | Ep. 30Francis Ngannou’s boxing debut was nothing short of incredible, and even though he didn’t get his arm raised in victory, many in the combat sports world felt he DID do enough to get the nod, but the judges instead scored it in favor of reigning lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. The tally would see “The Predator” take a split decision loss—in his first boxing match!!—to the lineal heavyweight champion of the world.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a f...
2024-03-1230 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhat the fallout from Showtime's exit from combat sports could look like | Ep. 29After nearly 38 years in business, Showtime will be calling it a day on their sports branch which mainly consists of boxing and Bellator. The rumor to this effect began a little over a month ago. Showtime boxing head Stephen Espinoza didn’t exactly make a firm denial of the rumors, nor did he outright confirm them.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Espinoza will be among 38 regular employees that will ne jobless at th...
2024-03-1221 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastONE Championship's one-sided contracts | Ep. 28Over the years, John Nash has reviewed contracts from all the major MMA promotions and several big boxing contracts, as well. We’ve been able to see just how restrictive, and at times, draconian, most of the MMA agreements between promotions and athletes truly are. The UFC set the standard with their boilerplate contract and with new changes, have made it more difficult for fighters to seek legal recourse. It seems that the competition followed suit with their own lopsided deals, tweaking things as needed, but by and large, there’s not a wealth of difference in the treatment of t...
2024-03-1258 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastAri Emanuel's super sweet deal & rumors that Vince McMahon may sell his TKO shares | Ep. 27It’s been a busy couple of weeks in the world of MMA business and finance, but we tried to cover all the most pertinent topics. Front and center is the new filings that came out last week on the UFC’s first half of the year. We also discuss the latest rumblings of a Bellator buyout by the PFL and what that could look like in the future. Here’s a list of the points of conversation we covered in this week’s episode:The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive...
2024-03-1233 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastSpectrum-Disney fallout, UFC-WWE merger, antitrust updates, Fury-Ngannou & more | Ep. 26A lot has happened in the last two weeks. The court gave a date in the antitrust suit, the defendants requested an appeal, the plaintiffs responded and we’ve got all the pertinent details. Spectrum and Disney have been in a battle over rising rates to broadcast Disney’s content—specifically ESPN. John opines on how that could affect the UFC.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.We’ve also got updates on the UFC...
2024-03-1233 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastNate Quarry no longer part of UFC antitrust suit but still battling for fighter rights | Ep. 25Nate Quarry might be most famously known for his fight with Kalib Starnes or for his comeback fight against Pete Sell, but he is doing much bigger things these days. These days, he’s known as one of the original plaintiffs in the UFC antitrust suit, but because he was part of the identity class, which was denied class certification, he is no longer a plaintiff.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.That do...
2024-03-1248 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastInterview: Rob Maysey, Plaintiffs' attorney on UFC antitrust suit | Ep. 24Since the antitrust case finally received its class certification from Judge Boulware, the community has been abuzz with what the honorable judge’s written opinion means. The commentary from him was quite serious and he appears to clearly side with the plaintiffs. He used pointed language that left no doubt of this.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Rob Maysey, one of the acting attorneys on this case, stopped by Hey Not the Fa...
2024-03-121h 22
Hey Not The Face! PodcastSean O’Malley will likely never make ‘McGregor money’ | Ep. 23Sean O’Malley walked out to Lupe Fiasco’s ‘Superstar’ and by all accounts, he fits that bill to a T. His title bout with Aljamain Sterling set records just by virtue of his being there. How do we know? Because Dana White said so. Yet despite his star power and despite the record-setting, he likely won’t ever make the fabled ‘McGregor money’—once referred to as ‘Anderson Silva money‘—even if he were to land that boxing match with Gervonta Davis he called for in his presser interview after the fight with Sterling.The Hey Not The Face! Podc...
2024-03-1218 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastUFC antitrust lawsuit developments explained | Ep. 22This week, the UFC antitrust lawsuit finally got class certification. Judge Boulware awarded the certification to the plaintiffs (the fighters), then gave his written statement, which was brutally honest. John Nash is back to break down the judge’s statements, what they mean, and how he views the impact of the UFC’s market power over the athletes.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Here’s a list of the major points...
2024-03-1237 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhy the UFC is targeting right-leaning sponsors | Ep. 21There’s been no shortage of big news in the last two weeks. From Ari Emanuel’s involvement in the SAG-AFTRA strike to how much of Disney’s assets Bob Iger was talking of selling off and everything in between. Just how differently does Ari treat actors and fighters and why, as well as what “finding a partner for ESPN” might entail.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.There’s discussion of sponsor pay and just...
2024-03-1158 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastExamining Bellator's fighter contract | Ep. 20The UFC is the industry leader in MMA, without a doubt. The promotion is in the unique and very fortunate position of having a monopoly and a monopsony all at once, and their financial statements illustrate that point quite well. One of the ways they’re able to profit so heavily while the fighters make so little (around a 13-14% revenue share) is because of their incredibly draconian contracts.The Hey Not The Face! Podcast is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber....
2024-03-1140 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastComparing the PGA-LIV tour merger with UFC business practices | Ep. 19Over the last month, the sports community has been trying to process the massive bombshell the PGA tour dropped when they announced they’d be merging with the LIV tour. For months, the PGA tour told the golfing community—including golfers themselves—that they had no intention of merging with LIV. And then they did. John immediately started digging into the story and noted plenty of similarities between the way the brass is handling the business of the merger and the way Endeavor runs their business enterprises, especially the UFC.We also break down an interview Ari Emmanu...
2024-03-1136 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastHow do we fix MMA and boxing’s worst problems? | Ep. 18Let’s face it, combat sports needs a lot of work, but for the purpose of this post, we’re specifically focused on MMA and boxing. It should be noted that the latter has an advantage over mixed martial arts thanks to the Ali Act. That said, there is still a plethora of problems that need addressing in boxing.As far as MMA is concerned, there is a long and winding road ahead of any positive changes, especially with the UFC who set the standard for contract structure by which all other organizations have followed. John Nash has...
2024-03-1138 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastUFC fighter revenue share hits all-time low | Ep. 17UFC, the real predatorUFC fighter pay has long been a topic of concern among fans and pundits, especially with the departure of Francis Ngannou earlier this year chewing up the news cycle. Ngannou would finally announce his historic PFL deal last week, setting tongues wagging and catching the attention of the entire community. The Cameroonian-born champion went to the negotiating table numerous times to secure a better deal for himself, all to no avail, so when his sunset provision kicked in, the UFC waived any exclusivity periods due them and Francis became a free agent.
2024-03-1126 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastFrancis Ngannou got a sweet deal but did PFL get one? | Ep. 16Francis Ngannou has been the most high profile free agent MMA has likely ever seen. Even when Fedor Emelianenko was in the UFC's offices all those years ago, trying to come to a deal that worked for all parties involved, it wasn't at this level. Francis has avenues that Fedor never did because boxing crossovers were extremely limited and the folks with Team Fedor had a line drawn in the sand, co-promotion with M-1 Global, which we all knew was never going to fly.Fast forward to today, where Francis Ngannou is poised to make a big...
2024-03-1141 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastMatt Stoller's advice for UFC fighters fearing retaliation | Ep. 15UFC antitrust suit historyAt the end of 2014, a group of UFC fighters (some retired and some not) banded together and filed a class action lawsuit against the UFC and its parent company at the time, Zuffa, LLC. Fighters like Cung Le, Jon Fitch and Brandon Vera were named class representatives with a claim that the UFC manipulated the mixed martial arts industry in a way that harmed fighters’ abilities to secure fair employment within the sector.The lawsuit seeks between $800 million and $1.6 billion in damages and in the course of the nearly nine years si...
2024-03-1136 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastHow bad are MMA managers? | Ep. 14Have you ever thought to yourself, 'Self, I need to know more about MMA managers. What am I to do?' Well, if you have, we've got the solution for you; a thorough explainer on what managers do, what credentials they must have, key differences between combat sports and stick-and-ball sports managers and more. If you were wondering how good or bad MMA managers are by comparison to their boxing forefathers, we've got that too.Topic rootsWhen Dominance MMA (the largest MMA management company in the community, founded by Ali Abdelaziz) dropped former UFC...
2024-03-1154 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastNoting 9 differences between UFC and PFL contracts | Ep. 13Comparing UFC and PFL contracts1. Brief description of the type of contracts* Developmental* PFL* PFL Europe* Champion2. Length of Contract* "Term" vs "Initial Term"3. Contract extensions4. Champion's Clause5. Exclusive negotiating and matching rights6. Details on pay* Playoff Pay* Incidentals & per diem7. Sponsors & Merchandising8. Arbitration & Class Action9. Fighter responsibilities re: promoting the PFL* Additional responsibilities for championsThe Hey Not the Face! podcast is...
2024-03-1136 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastUFC contract change addresses royalties, sponsorship & rights | Ep. 12Royalties* What do fighters get paid for?* What don’t fighters get paid for?* How much do fighters get?Sponsorship* How did we get here regarding fighter sponsors?* Outfitter policy/athlete kits - how does it work?* Sponsorships and appearance fees between fighters and sponsors arranged by the UFC. How does that work and how much does it pay?* Does the UFC take advantage of this?Video Game Rights* What, if anything, do fighters get from the video game? An...
2024-03-1139 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastListener Q & A | Ep. 11How much were UFC fighters making from sponsors prior to the Reebok and Venom deals? I realize there is a lot of variation, but if you have a range or some examples, that would be helpful. And how much are they losing compared to what they were/are paid in the Reebok and Venom deals?Boxing promoters are apparently funneling money to sanctioning bodies through some form of lobbying. Can you explain how this works?Why do you think Bellator and PFL struggle financially? Is it just because the UFC has superior talent? If not, what are Bellator and...
2024-03-1150 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastNEW UFC CONTRACTS! | Ep. 10* When were these new changes added?* Biggest changes* Section 25* Section 12* Section 9* Section 4* Code of ConductThe Hey Not the Face! podcast is an independent publication. Please subscribe to keep up with our best work and learn how you can support us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit heynottheface.substack.com/subscribe
2024-03-1128 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastUnpacking options of Francis Ngannou & Nate Diaz | Ep. 09 STARTING POINT* How did we get here because both became free agents in different ways because they had very different contracts?* Was Ngannou released or did he leave after his contract ended?* What do you think the UFC really offered to him?* What about Jon Jones?DIAZ* What about the PFL/Jake Paul offer?* What about that Rizin offer?* What other options are out there for Nate?* Why is a return to the UFC not unlikely and very good...
2024-03-1145 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhat to expect from MMA promotions | Ep. 08PFL MMA * PFL likes to boast about being the clear #2, how are they really doing financially* What should we make about Jake Paul signing with them? What is his deal with the PFL?* Can the PFL be successful, especially with their PPV division?BELLATOR/RIZIN* Why are we putting these two together?* How did they do last year?* What about the rumors that Bellator is for sale?UFC* How did the UFC do in 2022 and what is their financial outlook for 2023?
2024-03-1143 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastDeep dive into a UFC fighter contract (part 2) | Ep. 07Today’s episode continues our point-by-point breakdown of a current UFC contract, beginning on page 38. The contract in question belongs to Taila Santos. It should be noted that Ms. Santos didn’t volunteer her contract information to us. John legally obtained it via Brazil’s court system. The contracts were filed in Brazilian courts by Talia Santos’ former trainer Marcio Malko and former head coach/manager Marcelo Brigadeiro as part of their individual lawsuits against her.Link to our HNTF podcast UFC contract reference materials: https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24281497/TAILA_JAINE_DOS_SANT...
2024-03-1050 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastBreaking down a current UFC contract (part 1) | Ep. 06Today’s episode concentrates on a current UFC contract, specifically, Taila Santos’ contract. It should be noted that Ms. Santos didn’t volunteer her contract information to us. John legally obtained it via Brazil’s court system. The contracts were filed in Brazilian courts by Talia Santos’ former trainer Marcio Malko and former head coach/manager Marcelo Brigadeiro as part of their individual lawsuits against her.* Note: John makes an error when discussing the “Effective Date” of a contract. This will be addressed and the information corrected in the next episode.We’re providing a link to the docu...
2024-03-1045 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastBreaking down the Ali Act | Ep. 05* What is the Ali Act?* How and why was it passed into law?* What does the Ali Act do?* What does it not do? (some of the myths)* How is it enforced, or is it even enforced?* What would the Ali Act do if it was expanded to MMA?* Could promoters have their own titles?* Would it destroy the UFC?* How was McGregor going to use the Ali Act to get out of his contract?* How can the Ali Act get...
2024-03-1040 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastWhy a fighters union might not be achievable | Ep. 041. What is a union? 2. Do fighters even want a union? 3. Can fighters form a union if they’re independent contractors? 4. How do you go about making a union? 5. So what are some of the things that make MMA so hard sport for unions to work? 6. Any positives for just trying to make a union? 7. How about an association? Could that help?The Hey Not the Face! podcast is an independent publication. Please subscribe to keep up with our best work and learn how you can su...
2024-03-1045 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastComparing WWE & UFC media models | Ep. 03MMA vs pro wrestling history1. Why do some people say that MMA is just pro wrestling? Is there a connection or link between the two? 2. So how did it become real again with MMA? 3. Is there a connection between pro wrestling and the UFC? 4. Are their also links between the business models? UFC vs WWE business 1. The UFC and WWE are often compared to each other, as both are the 800-pound gorillas in their industry. Are there any similarities in how they go to that position?
2024-03-0942 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastComparing boxing and MMA pay, promotion, negotiation | Ep. 02* Who makes more boxers or MMA fighters? * Is it true that only the top boxers make any money and MMA have better paid undercards? Why is there such a difference between their pay? * To start off how do we know what they make? * How do we know what UFC and MMA fighters get paid? * What about boxers? How do we know what they get? * How does MMA vs boxing overall pay compare between the sports? * So why do boxers seem to make more at the lower levels?
2024-03-0951 min
Hey Not The Face! PodcastComparing Diaz & Ngannou’s contract situations | Ep. 01EPISODE 01 1. What is Diaz’s current status and what happens next? (define “exclusive matching period”) 2. Promotions are claiming to be speaking to Nate Diaz, specifically Scott Coker, about possibly signing him. Ariel Helwani says that is patently untrue because of the matching period. Explain why that is (or isn’t) true. 3. Why did it take so long for Diaz to become a free agent? Wasn’t he supposed to have a sunset clause? 4. Talk about the 3 fights a year guarantee from the UFC 5. *Side convo about antitrust suit 6. What’...
2024-03-0936 min
Best Camp of My Life with Fernanda PratesSounding off With Stephie HaynesPodcast host, producer, and multitalented MMA mainstay Stephie Haynes joins Fernanda to talk about Randa Markos' disqualification at UFC Vegas 25, the breakneck pace of MMA media, the early days of martial arts on cable television, life as a woman in the MMA industry, what keeps her motivated as an interviewer, and more.
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2021-05-051h 09
Southpaw62 – The Fighter-Oriented Politics of MMA Media w/ Stephie HaynesSam talks to Stephie Haynes from Bloody Elbow about her path to becoming an MMA reporter, the diversifying of MMA fandom, the need for unions and healthcare, the problem with fighter pay and win bonuses, our evolving thought surrounding PEDs and USADA, Bellator and the UFC's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how MMA might not attract left-leaning people but learning more about fighter exploitation might turn you into one.
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2020-03-2546 min