Hey Not The Face! Podcast

Hosted by John S. Nash & Stephie Haynes

Business Sports

Website RSS feed

Episodes

289

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

About the show

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

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 16, 202640 min

How important are UFC titles? | Ep. 287

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 latest developments in the UFC antitrust cases. We also discuss Sean Strickland’s ongoing struggles with the getting paid properly. We weigh in on the current conversations about the importance of UFC titles (or lack thereof), and we examine why TKO is still moving forward with their events in the Middle East. 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 287 Outline * Are there any new filings or updates in the UFC antitrust cases? * At DWCS post-event presser, Dana White shot down Sean Strickland’s complaints saying that he just signed a new contract, but no one there asked White if the new contract was required for his title fight with Chimaev. Why would this be a good question? * Nassourdine Imavov had offered Strickland $500,000 out of his own pocket to fight him. How dumb is this? * Ben Fowlkes wrote an article for Uncrowned suggesting the UFC titles might not be so important anymore. Did you agree with his take? * Undefeated top 10 bantamweight Farid Basharat, who was 7-0 in the UFC, was not offered a new contract by the company. What do you make of this? * Even though multiple events have now been canceled in Saudi Arabia, TKO haven’t canceled Canelo vs M’Billi, nor the WWE’s upcoming Crown Jewel event. Meanwhile, Dana White says UFC 333 is still scheduled to take place in the UAE. What is going on with combat sports in that they’re the only ones not canceling events? * On the Ariel Helwani show, Alexander Hernandez said that he was disappointed in his interactions with fans. What did he say that you do agree with? *820, 821, 822, 823, 824

October 12, 202637 min

How UFC Fighters can help get another big antitrust settlement | Ep. 286

October 10, 202638 min

Day 2: Details from UFC antitrust evidentiary hearing | Ep. 285

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, John sits down with our field reporter, Ed Vidri , who attended Friday’s evidentiary hearing for the UFC antitrust cases. Ed once again takes through an exacting recount of what happened in court on the second day of proceedings. He details the judge’s request that expert witnesses from both sides work together, the schedule going forward, how Endeavor may end up being antagonistic toward UFC/TKO, and changes in contracts. 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 paywalled content* Episode 285 Outline * Judge requests the experts work together * Judge referencing key messages in Le Case * Schedule going forward * The Judge really want this over * Endeavor has their own issues * Endeavor may end up antagonistic to UFC/TKO * Discussion of sanctions and remedies * Did Campbell use Signal? * Defendants argue Plaintiffs Le theories no longer work * Change in contracts *Minutes of the Court 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

October 9, 202647 min

Details from UFC antitrust evidentiary hearing | Ep. 284

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, John sits down with our field reporter, Ed Vidri , who attended Thursday’s evidentiary hearing for the UFC antitrust cases. Ed takes extremely detailed notes, so we’re fortunate to have him relay all the goings on from the courtroom. Ed details a staggering amount of missing or deleted ROWIDs, the judge’s reprimands, and the defense team’s expert witness testimony. 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 paywalled content* Episode 284 Outline * Judge reprimands defendants for untimely filing * Defendant’s Expert Witness Adam Hart takes the stand * What is ROWID? * What does missing ROWID mean? * Auto Delete corporate settings * Kill Code/Phone Wipe * 23 phones reported by Defendants, 18 in custody * Carrier records * “Hundreds of thousands of ROWID missing/deleted” * Plaintiffs’ Witness Dr. Greenfield takes the stand * Judge wants them working together * Neither side trusts the other’s witness * Judge is done with this * Judge Boulware gives Defendants’ attorney the Death Gaze * Judge gives them two months *Procedural Framework *Status Report Concerning Certain Discovery Issues 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

October 2, 202626 min

Is the UFC antitrust lawsuit funded by a competitor? | Ep. 283

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 latest developments in the UFC antitrust cases, and they are juicy! From Dana White’s newly discovered secret phones (yes, there are even more of them), to the Defendant’s theory that the Plaintiff’s may be funded by a competitor to the UFC, we examine as much as we could in the limited time we had the documents before recording. We also weigh in on Zuffa Boxing’s official capacity (or lack thereof) in the Fury-Joshua fight. 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 283 Outline * Are there any new filings or updates to the UFC antitrust cases? * Friend of the show, Eric Hamidi, sent us a report that says the House will be proposing amendments to the Protect College Sports Act, which could complicate the chances of it passing. This is the bill you theorized the Ali Act amendment bill might hitch a ride with. If this bill gets stuck, do you think TKO’s bill does too? * The press conference for Fury-Joshua happened this week. How important to Zuffa Boxing was it to have Max Kellerman be the host of it? * Was it as important as having Dana White there? * Is the viewer number of that press conference, 70K, a surefire sign that this is going to be a huge fight? * Boxing Scene reported that the British Boxing Board of Control confirmed that Matchroom, Queensberry and Sela will be the only promoters of the Fury-Joshua event. What part would Zuffa Boxing play, if any, in that event? * Tris Dixon reported that Turki Alalshikh sold the controlling interest of Ring Magazine to DAZN. What implications does that have for ZUFFA Boxing? * Is this a signal that the Saudis are pulling up stakes in boxing or is this mainly about Turki and his possible finances? *784 *793

September 29, 202631 min

Will the Hearn-White feud derail Fury-Joshua? | Ep. 282

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 battle for the right to officially promote Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury. We discuss why Dana White is digging in to be attached to the megawatt fight in a promotional capacity, and why Eddie Hearn is resisting with everything he’s got. We weigh in on the boxing media, and how British media is in a much better position to ask tougher questions and push back against Dana White’s classic aggressive treatment. 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 282 Outline * Are there any new filings or updates in the UFC antitrust cases? * We finally got word last week that AJ vs. Fury was a go, but within 24hrs of the announcement, it was back in jeopardy again. Why is Dana White digging in so hard despite the contract that Turki Alalsheikh signed off on for AJ distinctly saying that neither Dana nor Zuffa Boxing as a whole can be involved? * Dana said in an interview regarding that contract stipulation, “Who’s gonna stop me?” What are your thoughts on that? * Why is Eddie Hearn digging in so hard to stick to the terms of that contract? * Is it worth possibly losing the fight and the money that comes with it? * How was Fury able to remove that term from his contract? * In your opinion, how much money do you think is invested in it when it’s all said and done? * Is it possible that Saudi finances have been jeopardized enough for them to consider scrapping the bout? * Dana White had a complete meltdown Saturday night at a post-event presser for Zuffa Boxing. Do you think European boxing media might be a different animal, especially since the gent (Jack Figg) that pressed him works for the sports arm of the Sun, and not an independent, boxing-exclusive website? * How long do you think it will be until we see traditional boxing media squeezed out and replaced by influencers? *Notice of Submission of Declaration *Defendant’s Revised Counterproposal

September 25, 202626 min

Have we seen boxing’s best days? | Ep. 281

September 21, 202637 min

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

September 18, 20261 hr 25 min

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

September 15, 202634 min

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