UFC CEO Dana White will reportedly not condone Igor Severino’s actions in his promotional debut.
Severino (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who faced fellow debuting undefeated flyweight Andre Lima, was disqualified in the second round for biting. Lima (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) was defending in the clinch, and during the sequence against the fence, Severino bit his left arm.
Lima motioned to the referee that he was bit by his opponent, resulting in a pause in the fight and subsequent disqualification after the video review.
After the fight at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, White messaged Kevin Iole, stating that Severino’s UFC run began and ended Saturday.
“Those were two up-and-coming undefeated fighters,” White said in a text message. “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.”
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
Severino and Lima were both undefeated Dana White’s Contenders Series veterans entering Saturday’s bout, but only one will continue with their career in the UFC.
In addition to fighting on, Lima was rewarded with an “I Got F*cking Bit Bonus” by White, according to MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 53.
