This is a topic that no MMA writer in the world would have ever imagined having to discuss. Seven years of journalism school at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, OH couldn’t have ever prepared yours truly, Drew Zuhosky, for something like what transpired on Saturday night inside the UFC Apex during the second undercard bout of UFC Vegas 89.
Yet, here we are, a day removed from what happened inside the famous Octagon, and this MMA writer is talking about certainly the most bizarre happening in the UFC this year, maybe the most bizarre happening in UFC history. In case you missed the undercard due to prior engagements Saturday night, or you were busy watching your NCAA Tournament bracket(s) get cooked from games in the second round of the men’s field, let’s get to the heart of the matter.
A Truly Bizarre Disqualification
During the second preliminary of the evening on Saturday, UFC debutantes Igor Severino (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) and Andre Lima (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) looked to build off respective successful appearances from last summer on Contender Series, but this was far from the ordinary UFC promotional debut. This one made headlines for reasons that neither guy expected.
During the second round of an advertised three, Severino had Lima in a clinch and during the exchange, Lima gestured to his arm with his glove. Referee Chris Tognoni noticed the gesture and called for time a little over two minutes into the middle period of the fight.
Upon looking at the replay of the sequence, it was discovered that Igor Severino had bitten into Andre Lima’s arm, resulting in Tognoni ending the fight by disqualification, awarding what will definitely be the strangest victory in the latter fighter’s career.
Caution: The above embedded video contains graphic imagery, which may offend sensitive viewers. Discretion is advised.
The initial reaction by Laura Sanko and Paul Felder, who worked the card as analysts for ESPN and the UFC, was one of surprise and shock.
“Did he bite him?,” pondered Sanko. “No way,” said Felder.
After the Fight…
The Tapology entry of Saturday’s undercard fight’s result reads: “Disqualification, Biting.” Upon taking stock of the situation, UFC CEO Dana White gave the promotion’s first-ever (and hopefully the promotion’s only) “Bite of the Night” bonus award to Lima.
Tonight's BOTN 💰💰 #UFCVegas89 pic.twitter.com/Ngttbbryr8
— UFC (@ufc) March 24, 2024
Originally valued at $25,000 (USD), this bonus was subsequently doubled to $50,000, the same dollar amount as a “Fight of the Night” and a “Performance of the Night” award given out by White, after Lima elected to receive a tattoo of the marking.
Credit to Andre Lima for finding a tattoo shop open on a Saturday night to get this done and even more credit to the tattoo shop for its willingness to take on such an assignment. One must wonder if someone at the shop was watching the live feed.
Andre Lima’s Thoughts
The recipient of the bitemark met with the media Saturday night after the bout and he shared his feelings about what transpired.
“We were exchanging really well at that point,” Lima recalls, translated to English, “then he tried to take me down. I went down but I got up, and as I was getting up, I yelled because I felt pain, very sharp pain. I really thought that the fence had gotten into me. That’s what I thought happened. I started yelling ‘Ow, ow, ow,’ and they started looking at me. I was like ‘I don’t know what’s happening here.’ I really thought it was the fence, because there was absolutely no way he could have bit me, especially with the way the fight was going.”
Dana White Cuts Igor Severino and UFC CEO’s Thoughts
“Bite of the Night” bonus aside, this is a serious matter and Dana White made the right decision in this regard. Later on Saturday, Igor Severino would be terminated from his UFC deal after the bout.
“Those were two up-and-coming fighters,” mentioned White after the disqualification. “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. Now, you get cut and lose the biggest opportunity of your life. Not to mention, he’s going to have real problems with the NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission).”
Severino Likely Done in MMA
At the very least, Igor Severino is going to be suspended for a lengthy timeframe in the wake of this weekend’s disqualification, but this is near the bottom of the list of his worries. Based on everything that transpired inside the UFC Apex on Saturday evening, no state athletic commission, as well as no MMA promotion period, will be even so much as willing to take a flier on him.
Aside from early childhood, a person biting another person is something that you don’t see at all. This behavior is completely unacceptable. It’s in this writer’s mind that Igor Severino has made his last appearance in an MMA cage. It seems unlikely that the doors of bare-knuckle boxing would even be open to him after this.
Final Thoughts
The UFC has been around for almost 31 years. While we’ve seen a number of crazy moments, nobody was ready for this. We’re just a few short weeks out from the landmark UFC 300, and bad press is the last thing the organization could have needed or wanted at this stage.
Kudos to Dana White for making the right move.
