Igor Severino’s MMA career entering Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas seemed to be heading in a great direction. After an undefeated 8-0 start, the 20-year-old Brazilian was making his UFC debut at UFC on ESPN 53 against fellow undefeated countryman Andre Lima.
Unfortunately for Severino, everything came crashing down in less than two rounds in UFC.
With his opponent pressed up against the cage, Severino inexplicably bit Lima’s left arm, leaving a massive chomp mark on Lima’s skin. Lima showed his arm to referee Chris Tognoni, who called in a doctor, Shortly afterward, Tognoni waved off the bout, disqualifying Severino.
Andre Lima picks up the win over Igor Severino due to a DQ from Severino, who bit Lima’s arm 😳 #UFCVegas89 pic.twitter.com/NQTJuSh9G3
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 23, 2024
UFC president Dana White told reporter Kevin Iole after the fight that
“If you get frustrated and want out of the fight, there are plenty of ways to do it, but the worst thing u can do is bite your opponent. Now, you get cut and lose the biggest opportunity of your life. Not to mention, he’s going to have real problems with the [Nevada State Athletic Commission].”
Igor Severino vs. Andre Lima at #UFCVegas89 ends in a rare disqualification for BITING. Wild. pic.twitter.com/LXL7X9ZR96
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) March 23, 2024