Hey Not The Face! Podcast

John S. Nash & Stephie Haynes
  • 4.6 (5)
  • Business

A newsletter and podcast covering the business of face-punching! heynottheface.substack.com

  1. 2d ago

    Paulo Costa should take UFC to arbitration | Ep. 280

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.com Thank you for checking out the Hey Not The Face! Podcast, a listener-supported publication. We’d be eternally grateful if you could help us by purchasing a subscription for access to all our paywalled content. In today’s episode, we’re looking at UFC 331 payouts and what they represent. We go from the lowest tier up to the top with our analysis. We discuss whether Nico Ali-Walsh’s defense of his support of TKO’s Ali Act amendment holds water, and we put interim titles under a microscope. We also weigh in on Paulo Costa’s list of serious demands regarding the last fight on his contract. There’s a lot more, so make sure to follow along with our outline as you listen: *We urge you to pick up a paid subscription, as it helps us keep the show going and allows you access to paywalled content* Episode 280 Outline * Are there any new filings or updates in the UFC antitrust cases? * Nico Ali-Walsh spent some time defending himself on Cigar Talk Podcast. What did you think of what he said? * Earlier in the week, Dana White said that Cyril Gane was not the undisputed champion despite being the interim heavyweight champ when Tom Aspinall vacated the title. He ended up walking it back, saying he misspoke. What did you make of that? * If Dana hadn’t walked it back, would Gane have had any recourse? * We got to see UFC purse payouts from last night’s UFC 331. Did anything from those stand out to you? * Were you surprised to see Alexandre Pantoja’s $650K purse being larger than the sitting champion’s $500K, despite not being champ? * What did you think of Tai Tuivasa making $350K to show? * What did you think of Gable Steveson’s $160K to show? * How damaged do you think Steveson’s career is by that knockout and negative press he received all week? * Were you surprised to see Dana award Sean Sharaf the Mobland Proper Chaos bonus of $50K and then match it with his own $50K, considering how hard they’ve been pushing Gable? * Paul Costa tweeted a list of demands, basically asking for his last fight or a release? Does he have any way of compelling the UFC to meet his demands? *Status Report: Declarations of White and Mirkovich

    Paulo Costa should take UFC to arbitration | Ep. 280

  2. 5d ago

    Nico Ali-Walsh was wrong about the new Ali Act bill | Ep. 279

    Thank you for checking out the Hey Not The Face! Podcast, a listener-supported publication. We’d be eternally grateful if you could help us by purchasing a subscription for access to all our paywalled content. In today’s FREE episode, we’re looking at TKO’s amendment to the Ali Act and how John’s idea of how it could get passed this year is actually unfolding before our very eyes. We discuss Nico Ali-Walsh’s involvement and how impactful it was. We’re also examining why there was no democratic pushback. Most importantly, we’re going through the markup point by point to show how much meaningful change is actually in the bill. We’ve also included a multitude of PDFs for downloading that will assist in following along with the show’s discussion, including a custom document John made. There’s a lot more, so make sure to follow along with our outline as you listen: *Today’s episode is FREE, but we urge you to pick up a paid subscription, as it helps us keep the show going and allows you access to our paywalled content* Episode 279 Outline * Are there any new filings or updates in the UFC antitrust cases? * What happened with the Ali Act amendment markup? * Why was there no democratic opposition? * How important was Nico Ali-Walsh’s support? * What happened to the Ali Act Preservation Alliance? * What happens next? * Does the bill require UBOs to disclose pay? * Does it make free agency easier? * Was there meaningful change to contract length? * What are the new rating requirements with this bill? * Does it still give an Ali Act waiver to UBOs? * What firewall protections are between managers and UBOs? * Nico Ali-Walsh mentioned that UBO boxers can compete for sanctioning org titles; is that a good thing? * Does it address coercive contracts? * How could this impact MMA? *Plaintiff’s Motion for Clarification*764 *764-1*768 *768-1*MMABRA Senate Markup US *S5188-Cruz-Rosen Substitute*65188 Cantwell_2 (As Modified) *65188 Cantwell_3 (As Modified)*65188 Cantwell_4 (As Modified) *65188 Cantwell_5 Thanks for stopping by the Hey Not The Face! Podcast, a listener-supported publication. We’d appreciate it if you could help us spread word of this episode by sharing it far and wide. The Hey Not the Face! Podcast is an independent publication. Please consider a paid subscription to keep up with our best work and learn how you can support us. With all forms of news media crumbling, especially in the combat sports space, we could really use your help. Thank you. We appreciate all of you. 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

  3. Sep 15

    Can TKO pass the Ali Act amendment bill this year? | Ep. 278

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.com Thank you for checking out the Hey Not The Face! Podcast, a listener-supported publication. We’d be eternally grateful if you could help us by purchasing a subscription for access to all our paywalled content. In today’s episode, we’re looking at TKO’s amendment to the Ali Act and whether it can get passed this year now that Ted Cruz has introduced it for markup this coming Wednesday. We discuss why the IATSE is backing the bill and what extraordinary circumstances would be necessary for it to pass this year. We also weigh in on Zuffa Boxing’s weekend and the slick techniques they use to maximize gate sales. There’s a lot more, so make sure to follow along with our outline as you listen: *We urge you to pick up a paid subscription, as it helps us keep the show going and allows you access to paywalled content* Episode 278 Outline * Are there any new updates or filings in the UFC antitrust cases? * What’s going on with the proposed amendment to the Ali Act? * What happens after the markup? * Why is the The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (known as IATSE) backing TKO’s bill? * Mark Shapiro talked about athlete and talent pay for the UFC and WWE saying TKO “resized” it for each. What did he mean? * Garcia vs. Benn was last night. What did you think of Zuffa Boxing’s promotion of that card? * Our friend Fred Garvin noted that they were up to their same tricks with ticketing for the event. Can you explain what went on there? * Can Zuffa Boxing be as successful with their ticketing strategy in boxing as they are with UFC ticketing? * What is going on with AJ vs. Fury? * With everything going on with the war in the Middle East, what do you think of Zuffa Boxing’s future? *Defendant’s Motion for Clarification

    Can TKO pass the Ali Act amendment bill this year? | Ep. 278

  4. Sep 7

    The UFC might not need a trial to lose this case | Ep. 277

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.com Thank you for checking out the Hey Not The Face! Podcast, a listener-supported publication. We’d be eternally grateful if you could help us by purchasing a subscription for access to all our paywalled content. In today’s episode, we’re looking at the increasing list of problems with the UFC’s antitrust cases. From Dana White’s hidden phone to the possibi…

    The UFC might not need a trial to lose this case | Ep. 277

  5. Sep 4

    Special Edition: Update from Johnson v. Zuffa Status Conference

    Thank you for checking out the Hey Not The Face! Podcast, a listener-supported publication. We’d be eternally grateful if you could help us by purchasing a subscription for access to all our paywalled content. In this episode, we’re looking at today’s UFC antitrust status conference hearing for the Johnson v. Zuffa case and the other two cases associated with it (Cirkunovs v. Zuffa, Davis v. Zuffa). Our good friend and field reporter, Ed Vidri, was at the hearing and spoke with John about it at length. In the interest of this material getting to fighters, we’re giving the episode away for free. Make sure to follow along with our outline as you listen, and please share this post across your social media platforms. *We urge you to pick up a paid subscription, as it helps us keep the show going and allows you access to paywalled content* Episode Outline * Who was present in the courtroom? * What was the main crux of the conference? * Discussion on a new phone that Dana White was using for 4 years without revealing it to the court * Why wasn’t the phone revealed, and what was the Defendant’s response? * Judge Boulware’s logic on the preservation of evidence on Defendants’ phones, referencing litigation hold * Rule 37 discussion * Spoliation possibilities clarification * Deleted information and the possibility of a default ruling * Boulware’s frustration with Defense’s roundabout answers * Judge’s end of year deadline * October dates for expert witness testimony * November date for spoliation hearing *PLAINTIFFS’ RESPONSE TO DEFENDANTS ZUFFA, LLC AND TKO OPERATING COMPANY, LLC’S COUNTERPROPOSAL RE: PRODUCTION OF DEVICE ESI RELATING TO SPOLIATION Thanks for stopping by the Hey Not The Face! Podcast, a listener-supported publication. We’d appreciate it if you could help us spread word of this episode by sharing it far and wide. The Hey Not the Face! Podcast is an independent publication. Please consider a paid subscription to keep up with our best work and learn how you can support us. With all forms of news media crumbling, especially in the combat sports space, we could really use your help. Thank you. We appreciate all of you. 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

  6. Aug 28

    Is Kevin Holland overpaid? | Ep. 276

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.com Thank you for checking out the Hey Not The Face! Podcast, a listener-supported publication. We’d be eternally grateful if you could help us by purchasing a subscription for access to all our paywalled content. In today’s episode, we’re looking at Dana White’s claim that a Contender Series alumnus has made $11M to date. We look at who that fighter is: Kevin holland, and weigh in on how much he’s made over 29 fights, why he’s the only candidate to fit the criteria, and whether he’s as deserving as other fighters of such high purses. We also discuss how important the Contender Series is to MMA gambling, and in our final topic, we examine Paulo Costa’s criticism of fighters for taking “any crap money” they are offered. There’s a lot more, so make sure to follow along with our outline as you listen: *We urge you to pick up a paid subscription, as it helps us keep the show going and allows you access to paywalled content* Episode 276 Outline * Are there any new filings or updates in the UFC antitrust cases? * We were talking about the Contender Series in our last episode, and we missed something Dana White said about one particular Contender Series alumnus that in Dana’s words, made $11M. We pondered this off air and figured it was Kevin Holland. Kevin gave an interview where he denied it, then came back around and kind of admitted it. What do we know about the accuracy of this figure? * Since we’re discussing the Contender Series again, Bella Mir was a 60-1 favorite going into her Contender Series fight with Alex Apodaca, where she lost. How much of an impact do you think her loss had on the betting community? * How important is the Contender Series to the UFC’s gambling sector? * Paulo Costa said recently that fighters “accept any crap money that’s thrown their way”. What’s your take on his criticism? *Supplemental Document 739 *Reply Brief for Zuffa

    Is Kevin Holland overpaid? | Ep. 276

  7. Aug 26

    UFC, major league of MMA still pays like the minor league | Ep. 275

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.com Thank you for checking out the Hey Not The Face! Podcast, a listener-supported publication. We’d be eternally grateful if you could help us by purchasing a subscription for access to all our paywalled content. In today’s episode, we’re looking at UFC fighter pay and how not much has changed, despite claims that the Paramount broadcast rights deal would ensure better pay for UFC fighters. We discuss the payouts from UFC Sacramento, and Stan Dorsainvil’s declaration that he will continue working at Home Depot even though he’s signed to the biggest MMA promotion in the world. In our final segment, we weigh in on Dana White’s claims that he would never work with Jake Paul on a Zuffa Boxing bout. There’s a lot more, so make sure to follow along with our outline as you listen: *We urge you to pick up a paid subscription, as it helps us keep the show going and allows you access to paywalled content* Episode 275 Outline * Are there any new filings or updates to the UFC antitrust cases? * The UFC held its latest event in California, so we got disclosure of athlete pay. What did this batch of purses tell you? * In your opinion, why would a fighter choose to go through the Contender Series rather than just coming straight in where they’d make $2k more per bout? * Stan Dorsainvil, who fought on that card, discussed how he still plans to keep working at Home Depot. What do you think of that? * With the huge Paramount broadcast rights deal UFC via Dana White made a promise that athlete pay would go up. Has it really gone up, aside from the bonus structure? * Dana White was asked if he’d ever have Jake Paul compete in a Zuffa Boxing match, and he said, “No, that’s not what I do. There’s obviously a market for that, but that’s not what I do. I put the best fighters in the world against each other from the minute that they get into the sport, all the way up to world champion. The best fight the best.” Do you believe him considering his involvement with the Brand Risk promotion that’s basically a more mainstream version of Fight Circus? *Motion to Seal Portions *Reply in Support of Defendant’s Motion

    UFC, major league of MMA still pays like the minor league | Ep. 275

  8. Aug 21

    Weighing in on Eddie Hearn’s reported demands for AJ vs. Fury | Ep. 274

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.com Thank you for checking out the Hey Not The Face! Podcast, a listener-supported publication. We’d be eternally grateful if you could help us by purchasing a subscription for access to all our paywalled content. In today’s episode, we’re looking at Eddie Hearn’s reported list of demands to keep the boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury on track for Madison Square Garden. We look at his beef with Zuffa’s involvement and supposed demands of Sela and Riyadh Season. We also discuss Dana White’s reveal of what Contender Series fighters have made in pay since its inception, and how matching clauses work in UFC contracts. There’s a lot more, so make sure to follow along with our outline as you listen: *We urge you to pick up a paid subscription, as it helps us keep the show going and allows you access to paywalled content* Episode 274 Outline * Are there any new filings or updates in the UFC antitrust cases? * You had a brief conversation on Twitter about UFC contract matching clauses. Can you update us on how those work? * Dana White says fighters who earned UFC contracts through the Contender Series have made a combined $225.3M. What are your thoughts on that figure, especially considering fighters like Sean O’Malley have made significantly more than others, and that Contender Series has been around for nearly 10 years and produced many, many fighters? * Edson Barboza, who retired last Saturday night after his fourth, straight loss, gave an interview noting that he was essentially blinded in his right eye after his fight with Lerone Murphy back in 2024, yet fought three more times. Did the UFC exploit him as a stepping stone name for the next crop of fighters? And what about his future, what will he get from the UFC, as far as medical insurance or help since his issue is fight related? * Our good friend Rob Joyner mentioned how PFL’s John Martin called Sudeep Ramnani before meeting with Nakisa Bidarian and merging PFL with MVP. Rob also noted that Ramnani is believed to have kept the PFL afloat and funneled in cash to seal the merger. Do we have any other details on this? * What’s the latest news on Fury vs Joshua? What is the current negotiation hangup between Hearn and Zuffa Boxing? *Joint Proposed Scheduling Order *Defendant Proposed Protocol for Production*Motion to Seal Exhibit 2

    Weighing in on Eddie Hearn’s reported demands for AJ vs. Fury | Ep. 274
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4.6
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About

A newsletter and podcast covering the business of face-punching! heynottheface.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    John S. Nash & Stephie Haynes
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    284
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © John S. Nash
  • Show Website
    Hey Not The Face! Podcast

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