Jorge Masvidal Secures $5 Million Victory in Lawsuit Against Fanmio for Unpaid Nate Diaz Fight Earnings

Jorge Masvidal, a well-known UFC fighter, recently won a significant legal battle against Fanmio, the company behind his boxing match with Nate Diaz. Judge Beatrice Butchko Sanchez gave Masvidal a default judgment, which means the court decided in his favor because Fanmio did not respond to his lawsuit. Masvidal was awarded over $5.3 million after an arbitrator ruled in his favor for unpaid earnings from the fight.

Originally, Masvidal had an agreement for a $6 million purse, which could increase to $7 million if he won. However, he claimed he only received $1 million plus a $150,000 advance. When Fanmio didn’t pay the remaining amount, Masvidal took the issue to arbitration back in January. The arbitrator sided with him, ordering Fanmio to compensate him for the unpaid amount along with legal fees and interest.

In the same situation, Nate Diaz also had a dispute with Fanmio. He claimed that the company agreed to pay him $10 million for the fight, with an upfront payment of $1 million. A separate arbitrator ruled in favor of Diaz, awarding him $6 million, plus a penalty against Fanmio’s owner, Solomon Engel.

This case highlights a growing trend in sports where athletes are turning to legal channels to address contract disputes. A recent survey by the Players’ Association showed that over 30% of professional athletes have faced similar payment issues in the last few years. Experts suggest that as the sports industry grows, disputes like these may become more common.

Fans reacted strongly to the news on social media, with many expressing support for Masvidal and Diaz. Both fighters used their platforms to share their experiences, bringing attention to the challenges athletes face with promoters.

For more on athlete contract disputes, you can check out this report from the Sports Business Journal.

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