Fanmio and its CEO, Solomon Engel, have vehemently refuted the recent claims made by former UFC star Nate Diaz.
On Monday, Diaz’s attorney, Jeremiah Reynolds, filed a lawsuit against the promoter in U.S. District Court in Miami, accusing Engel and his company of fraud and breach of contract in relation to his recent boxing match.
The Stockton native headlined an event earlier this month alongside fellow ex-UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal, with the pair running it back in the ring almost five years on from their first clash in the Octagon at Madison Square Garden.
“Gamebred” emerged victorious in MMA, but it was Diaz who had his hand raised inside Anaheim’s Honda Center on July 6. But the boxing event’s story unfortunately hasn’t concluded with the result.
According to Diaz, he’s owed $9 million by Fanmio. The suit alleges that a $10 million overall purse had been agreed verbally and in writing, with $1 million to be paid up front and $9 million post-fight.
But the former UFC star claims Engel is not paying the $9 million fee having not profited off the fight as expected. The suit also claims that the Fanmio CEO told Diaz he couldn’t pay the $9 million over fears his wife would divorce him due to the financial loss.
Fanmio CEO Hits Back At Diaz’s ‘Frivolous’ Lawsuit
Once TMZ broke news of Diaz’s lawsuit against Fanmio, it didn’t take long for the company’s chief to release a statement.
In it, Engel accused his event’s headline victor of making “salacious and defamatory” claims in attempt to harm him and his family. He added that the “frivolous” suit has only encouraged him to ensure the “truth” emerges.
Interestingly, part of the Fanmio CEO’s defense in the statement was to insist that Diaz has “already been paid seven figures.” That fact isn’t something Diaz has denied, with the suit stating the $1 million was paid up front, but the agreed figure to be paid following the match was not.
“Nate Diaz has filed a frivolous lawsuit against Fanmio which claims that fraud and breach of contract were committed by Fanmio, yet neither has taken place. In fact, Diaz has already been paid seven figures in connection with the fight. I look forward to resolving this dispute through the appropriate process and am confident that justice will prevail. Making salacious and defamatory statements to the media in order to harm my family and I has only strengthened my resolve to ensure that the truth will triumph.”
Diaz’s suit also alleges that he was paid the $500,000 purse that was disclosed to the commission but was asked to return it in favor of getting the $9 million in one lump sum. The former UFC star claims he agreed out of good faith but hasn’t received a penny since.
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