Jorge Masvidal Gets His Money: Scores $5 Million Knockout in Court
In a turn of events that’s somehow both shocking and completely expected, Jorge Masvidal has once again found himself in a fight outside the octagon. This time, however, the brawl wasn’t on the streets of Miami but in a courtroom, and his opponent was the fight promoter Fanmio. In a legal smackdown, Masvidal has been awarded a massive $5.3 million judgment. It seems “Gamebred” is just as effective at collecting his money as he is at collecting knockouts.
This whole mess stems from the highly-anticipated boxing match between Masvidal and his old UFC rival, Nate Diaz, back in July 2024. You remember the one—two of MMA’s most notorious brawlers trading leather in a boxing ring. The fight itself was a gritty affair, with Diaz ultimately getting his hand raised via majority decision. But as it turns out, the real fight was just beginning.
Why Did Masvidal Sue?
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Masvidal, a man who knows his worth, signed a deal that guaranteed him a cool $6 million purse for the fight, with a potential bonus of another million if he won. Even with the loss, that’s a hefty payday. The problem? Fanmio, the promoter behind the event, apparently forgot how to count. After the final bell, Masvidal reported he’d only received a $1 million payment and a $150,000 advance. That leaves a rather large, multi-million dollar hole in his bank account.
Anyone who has followed Masvidal’s career knows he isn’t the type to just let things slide. When Fanmio allegedly refused to pay up, “Gamebred” did what any self-respecting street fighter turned prize fighter would do: he lawyered up.
In January, the dispute went to an arbitrator who, unsurprisingly, saw things Masvidal’s way. The ruling ordered Fanmio to cough up the remaining cash, totaling a very specific $5,315,268.64, which covers the unpaid purse, interest, and attorney fees. Because when you mess with someone’s money, you end up paying for their lawyers too.
On Tuesday, October 15, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Beatrice Butchko made it official, approving Masvidal’s request and turning the arbitrator’s ruling into a final judgment. In short: pay the man his money.
Nate Diaz Was Also Short-Changed
If you thought Masvidal was the only one left holding an empty bag, think again. In a twist that should surprise absolutely no one, his opponent Nate Diaz also had to file a lawsuit against Fanmio. The Stockton native claimed he was promised a whopping $10 million for the bout. Like Masvidal, he received a $1 million advance but was left waiting for the remaining $9 million after the fight.
According to Fanmio and its president, Solomon Engel, they ran into some “financial difficulties.” That’s a pretty expensive excuse. A separate arbitrator handling Diaz’s case wasn’t buying it either, ordering Fanmio to pay him $6 million. In an even juicier development, Engel was found personally liable and hit with an additional $500,000 penalty. Diaz is now just waiting for the federal court to give its final stamp of approval on his award.
It’s almost poetic. After years of rivalry and a BMF title fight that ended in a doctor’s stoppage, Masvidal and Diaz are once again united—this time by a common enemy who forgot the first rule of fight promotion: you have to actually pay the fighters. This debacle is a stark reminder of the shady side of combat sports, where even superstars have to fight for what they’re owed. For Masvidal, this legal victory is another win on his record, and it’s one that came without throwing a single punch.
