Igor Severino Bited His Opponent, Andre Lima, Resulting in Disqualification and Victory for Lima at UFC Flyweight Bout
In the intense world of mixed martial arts (MMA), where fighters demonstrate unyielding determination and discipline, an unfortunate incident took place during a flyweight bout between Igor Severino and Andre Lima at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
As the second round of their highly-anticipated matchup was unfolding, Lima found himself in a challenging position as Severino held him from behind. The 20-year-old Severino, seemingly feeling the pressure of the situation, made an unexpected move. He leaned in and bit Lima on his left arm.
The shocking moment was not missed by referee Chris Tognoni, who promptly intervened to stop the fight. After announcing Severino’s disqualification for unsportsmanlike conduct, Tognoni awarded the victory to Lima.
Following his unexpected triumph, Lima posed proudly for photos with a clear bite mark on his left arm, serving as a reminder of the unconventional end to the bout.
Martial arts journalist Kevin Iole reported that UFC president Dana White released Severino from the organization in the wake of his disqualification. White expressed his disappointment in a text message to Iole, stating, “Those were two up-and-coming undefeated fighters. If you get frustrated and want out of the fight, there are plenty of ways to do it, but the worst thing you can do is bite your opponent.”
White added that Severino would face consequences beyond losing the opportunity of a lifetime. The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) was expected to take disciplinary action against Severino for his unsportsmanlike conduct.
Despite the unexpected outcome of the fight, Lima remained unbothered and even found a unique way to commemorate the incident. He posted a photo on Instagram hours after his victory, revealing a new tattoo in the same location as the bite mark. The tattoo appeared to recreate Severino’s bitemarks on Lima’s arm, serving as a constant reminder of his unexpected triumph.
Impressed by Lima’s spirit and creativity, White took to his Instagram story to double the Brazilian fighter’s fight bonus to $50,000. He added, “This is AWESOME.”
The UFC’s official social media accounts also joined in on the fun, playfully referring to Lima’s victory as “the bite of the night.” In the world of MMA, even an unconventional victory can leave a lasting impact.
“I was able to hit him really hard,” Lima shared in the octagon after his fight, “but then he bit me when I was trying to take him down. That’s why I yelled.”
Lima ended his debut in the UFC with a victory, maintaining his undefeated record. Meanwhile, Severino experienced his first defeat in the MMA world due to his unfortunate act.
