Nate Diaz has a new opponent, but in the courtroom rather than the ring, and he promises “justice will prevail.”
Diaz filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Miami on Monday, alleging that FanMio CEO and founder Solomon Engel reneged on an agreement to pay him $10 million as compensation for a boxing bout with Jorge Masvidal earlier this month.
Diaz said he was only paid $1 million, and the lawsuit alleges that Engel told him he couldn't pay the full $10 million because the fight didn't meet his financial expectations. Engel also told Diaz he was breaking the verbal and written agreement because “his wife might divorce him due to the financial losses.”
Hours after Diaz filed his lawsuit, Engel released a statement disputing Diaz's claims.
“Nate Diaz has filed a baseless lawsuit against Juanmio alleging fraud and breach of contract committed by Juanmio, neither of which have occurred,” the statement read. “In fact, Diaz has already received a seven-figure amount in connection with this fight. I look forward to this dispute being resolved through due process and am confident that justice will prevail. Making lewd and defamatory statements to the media in an attempt to harm me and my family only strengthens my resolve to ensure that the truth prevails.”
Engel's statement mentions a seven-figure fee, which is consistent with Diaz's claim that he received $1 million, but it makes no mention of the $10 million Diaz alleges in the lawsuit.
Juanmio's first foray into mixed martial arts was the Diaz vs. Masvidal boxing match at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on July 6. Diaz won by majority decision. The lawsuit against Juanmio alleges fraud and breach of contract by failing to pay full amounts.
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