What's the story with Aljamain Sterling's Funk Harbor Rum? | Ep. 246

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit heynottheface.substack.com SUPPORT EXPANDING THE ALI ACTIn today’s episode, we’re looking at the latest updates to the UFC antitrust cases surrounding the feud between the Plaintiffs and Dominance MMA. We also discuss WWE’s plethora of issues surrounding Wrestlemania 42, and what the future may hold for the company. In our final section, we discuss the curious case of Aljamain Sterling’s Funk Harbor rum, and his latest contract signing with the UFC. 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* Episode 246 Outline* Do we have any updates to the UFC antitrust cases?* Last week, some TKO financials came out that detailed the 2025 salaries of TKO’s highest ranking officials. What did they look like?* There was a report stating that the White House card will have “Super Bowl level security” handled by federal agencies. Who eats the cost of that?* There was a lot of uproar over Wrestlemania 42 last weekend that ranged from ESPN’s Andreas Hale being denied credentials to flagging ticket sales. The event also drew tons of scorn and criticism for the content. Does this forebode of darker times ahead for WWE?* They also released a large swathe of talent a few days after the event. Does that signal anything to you?* Speaking of talent, Mark Shapiro told a University of Alabama class that TKO has full control over WWE creative and defended the use of celebrities like Pat McAfee, Mark Wahlberg and Logan Paul as a growth strategy. Are we at the point where they will no longer build stars, and instead will use Endeavor talent, Dana White (for UFC), etc to try and draw in viewers/subscribers/ticket purchasers?* One final story to round out our pro-wrestling coverage is that the Make-A-Wish Foundation had to purchase their own tickets, as WWE didn’t comp them. Doesn’t this seem like really bad optics?* Paddy Pimblett weighed in on Dana White and Eddie Hearn trying to box each other: “The funniest thing about it all. If they fought each other, they’d get paid well more than what the fighters are getting paid. $30 million each? No boxer’s getting that under Eddie and no UFC fighter’s getting it under Dana. But that’s just the way the world works.” What do you make of that?* Aljamain Sterling tried to do a big promotional push of his Funk Harbor rum at a pre-fight presser for last weekend’s Apex card but was shot down by UFC officials. What did you think of that whole situation?* Apparently, there are a lot of fighters, Aljo included, that have cigar brands too. That’s something that doesn’t get a lot of media or fan attention. Are these the “opportunities” Dana White says fighters should be thinking about rather than a UFC “career”?* What did you make of Aljo’s comments on his contract discussion with Hunter Campbell?*Plaintiff’s reply in support of attorney fees and Exhibits A-C*