25 Mar 2024

UFC: Bite earns Brazilian fighter $50,000 payday

1:08 pm on 25 March 2024
UFC fighter Andre Lima shows off the bite mark which ultimately earnt him $US50,000.

UFC fighter Andre Lima shows off the bite mark which ultimately earnt him $US50,000. Photo: Twitter

Brazilian Andre Lima got a tattoo of the teeth marks left by opponent Igor Severino after he bit him during their UFC fight in Las Vegas at the weekend.

Severino bit Lima on the biceps as they stood in a clinch against the cage in the second round of their flyweight bout.

Referee Chris Tognoni stopped the fight and the incident was reviewed before Brazilian Severino was disqualified and the win awarded to Lima.

UFC president Dana White offered 25-year-old Lima a bonus following his debut fight and then said he would double it to US$50,000 after seeing the tattoo.

"I was going to give him 25k," White posted on Instagram. "Now I'm giving him 50k, this is awesome."

Lima wrote: "It was so insane I had to make it permanent! A debut to remember! Thanks boss Dana White! Ready for many more!"

Severino, 20, has reportedly been released from the UFC by White, who told journalist Kevin Iole:, external "Those were two up-and-coming undefeated fighters.

"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]."

UFC president Dana White.

UFC president Dana White Photo: Photosport

Speaking in the octagon after the fight, Lima said: "I was able to hit him really hard, but then he bit me when I was trying to take him down. That's why I yelled."

In the main event, American former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas beat Brazilian Amanda Ribas by unanimous decision in their flyweight encounter.

On the undercard British heavyweight Mick Parkin defeated Nigeria's Mohammed Usman - the brother of former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman - by unanimous decision.

- This story first appeared on the BBC

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