LAS VEGAS -- There must be something in the air here that causes fighters to lose control of themselves. Igor Severino, in a move that brought back memories of Mike Tyson in 1997, bit Andre Lima on the arm Saturday during the second round of their flyweight bout at Apex on the early preliminary card of UFC Vegas 89.
Referee Chris Tognoni called in the doctor to briefly examine Lima before disqualifying Severino. The bizarre finish came at 2:52 of the round. UFC CEO Dana White immediately cut Severino.
There was a much more high-profile bite in a bout in Las Vegas on June 28, 1997, at the MGM Grand Garden, when Tyson twice bit Evander Holyfield on the ear during a boxing heavyweight fight. Tyson was deducted two points for the first bite, but the bout was allowed to continue. Referee Mills Lane, the late Hall of Famer, disqualified Tyson after the second.
Tognoni was clearly angry at Severino and went to his corner to chastise him as the doctor was examining Lima.
The bite mark was clearly visible on Lima's arm, but he didn't seem all that upset or in pain.
"I was going to continue to damage, continue to touch and then he decided to bite me," Lima said.
Jeff Mullen, executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, said "we'll see" when asked at bout's end if there would be a suspension. White, in a text message to KevinIole.com, said it was a costly choice for Severino.
"Those were two up-and-coming undefeated fighters," White said. "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 NSAC."
The night ended great for Lima, despite the bite. He went to a local tattoo shop and had a tattoo made around the bite. And when White saw it, he awarded Lima a $50,000 Bite of the Night bonus.