A Champion Unpaid?
On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, a shocking story broke via Yahoo Sports. Emiliano “He-Man” Sordi, a seasoned MMA veteran and former PFL champion, alleged that Karate Combat failed to pay him. Sordi (26-14-1) made his promotional debut in October, defeating UFC veteran Zac “The High Chief” Pauga by knockout in the first round. However, the victory celebration was short-lived.
“He-Man” took to X (formerly Twitter), claiming executives cut communication. “It has been almost two months… I still haven’t been paid,” Sordi wrote. He emphasized that honoring contracts is not optional. Consequently, this raised immediate concerns about the promotion’s budget.
Fajador.com Investigates the Dispute
Fajador.com immediately investigated the claims. Fajador recently hosted Sordi on the “Danger Podcast with Julio Molina” before Karate Combat 57. Reflecting on Sordi’s professionalism during fight week, Fajador reached out to authorities for clarity.
In an email response to Fajador’s inquiry on Thursday, Timothy L. Shipman, Executive Director of the Florida Athletic Commission, stated,
“The Florida Athletic Commission has not received any reports from any participants that they have not received their pay.” He added, “Any fighter that has not received payment should email the Florida Athletic Commission as follows: FAC@myfloridalicense.com.”
A Partial Resolution and The Gritty Reality
The plot thickens. Fajador spoke to Sordi again on Thursday. The Argentine fighter revealed he had finally received half of what was owed as of Thursday. Sordi hinted at a potential administrative mix-up and noted he is working with Karate Combat to resolve the balance.
Witnessing a veteran athlete beg for a paycheck is truly heartbreaking. While amateurs compete for experience, professionals fight for their livelihood. This unwavering discipline is exemplified by UFC heavyweight Waldo “Salsa Boy” Cortes-Acosta. Much like Sordi, Cortes-Acosta maintains a punishing schedule, stepping up for short-notice fights. In fact, he is closing out 2025 with five bouts—a feat that perfectly mirrors Sordi’s legendary 2019 run, where he fought five times to capture the PFL Championship belt.
Seasoned professionals shouldn’t face amateur-level payroll issues. The commission weighs fighters and checks them medically; financial guarantees should be equally rigorous. The story is developing, so stay with Fajador for updates.
