Video: Igor Severino Disqualified, Cut from UFC After Biting Andre Lima During Fight

Erin WalshMarch 24, 2024

Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Saturday’s UFC Fight Night took an interesting turn when Igor Severino and Andre Lima stepped into the ring for a flyweight bout in Las Vegas.

Severino was disqualified from the fight after biting the inside of Lima’s left bicep in Round 2. Lima informed referee Chris Tognoni that he had been bitten, and officials reviewed the play before disqualifying Severino.

Severino has been cut from the UFC roster as a result, president Dana White said.

“Those were two up-and-coming undefeated fighters,” White said, per Kevin Iole. “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.”

ESPN MMA @espnmmaAndre Lima picks up the win over Igor Severino due to a DQ from Severino, who bit Lima’s arm 😳 #UFCVegas89 pic.twitter.com/NQTJuSh9G3

UFC @ufcThis fight has ended early due to a disqualification.

Andre Lima remains undefeated 👊 #UFCVegas89 pic.twitter.com/0FtknYuMsD

“At one point, you saw with the elbows I was able to hit him really hard,” Lima told Paul Felder through an interpreter during his post-fight interview, per MMA Junkie. “Then you saw, he bit me. … I was going to keep damaging him.”

Lima’s manager, Lucas Lutkus, spoke to White about the incident after the match and the UFC president said he will give Lima the first “I got f–king bit bonus” in the promotion’s history, per MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz.

ESPN MMA @espnmmaANDRE LIMA GOT THE BITE MARK TATTOOED 😳

(via andremascote__, ag.fight/IG) pic.twitter.com/lsYEqF9lEz

Severino and Lima, both from Brazil, entered Saturday’s bout undefeated in the flyweight division.

Severino dropped to 8-1-0 following his disqualification while Lima improved to 8-0-0.