The 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 microcosm of the U.S. economy and he lays out a point-by-point explainer detailing why he’s made this analogy. Follow along with our outline as you listen and remember to come back Thursday for the other half of the episode. That’s right, friends, today’s portion is 100% free.

* What is neoliberalism and what was the neoliberal turn?

* Why do you think fighters work as stand-ins for the regular working class?

* What’s the difference between the working classes and the professional classes and why are fighters in the working classes? Are other athletes also working class?

* Earlier you mentioned some of the changes that happened after the neoliberal change. Let’s go through a few and see how well the UFC analogy works. First off, what happened to full employment and how does this apply to the UFC?

* What about unions?

* Do you see any comparison between gig workers like Uber drivers and UFC fighters?

* Monopoly seems like it would be an easy comparison to make as well? How has concentration impacted the economy as a whole?

* Deregulation has often been a big part of the neoliberal story. How does that impact the UFC? It would seem that it has become more regulated with more state athletic commissions regulating it over time?

* One of the more famous aspects of the neoliberal era was increased inequality. Does this apply to the UFC as well?

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