UFC Vegas 89 bite gate continues following Igor Severino’s removal from the UFC, with the Nevada Atheltic Commission withholding his fight purse as a result of his bite on Andre Lima.
The 20-year-old Brazilian, Igor Severino, was disqualified in his UFC debut on Saturday 23rd of March, after he bit his opponent Andre Lima, in the flyweight bout.
Since then, the promotion has terminated his contract, and the Athletic Commission that sanctioned the fight has withheld his purse. Severino could go on to face more consequences as his hearing takes place next month, with possible fines and suspensions.
Andre Lima ‘feels sad’ for Severino, offering a rematch down the line
Despite being on the receiving end of the vicious bite which went on to earn Lima an extra $50,000 in a made-up ‘Bite of the Night’ bonus, the 25-year-old has sympathized with Severino, stating that they both came from up from struggles, so he feels ‘sad’ for the 20-year-old.
In an interview with TMZ Sports, Lima said: “I feel so sorry for him to be honest, I’m sad for him because he came from the same thing as me, he struggled a lot as I did, he has a family, he has a bright future.”
Not only that but ‘Mascote’ went as far as offering to rematch Severino sometime down the line, admitting that he hopes his compatriot can make it back to the UFC.
“To be honest I want to say to him that the world can always turn around, day by day, I’m not taking advantage of the bad side. I hope I can see him on the big stage again, even if he wants a rematch one day, we can go there and throw down in three rounds or whatever.
“But I hope I can see him on the big stage at the big show, making money because he’s young and there’s a lot to learn.”
Lima and Severino had similar paths to the promotion, both earning their contracts through wins on Dana White‘s Contender Series.
Fans split on Lima’s opinion of Severino’s UFC removal
The UFC fans are split in their opinions on whether the UFC should’ve cut Igor Severino from the promotion, despite Lima believing they shouldn’t.
@GeoJaneiro commented: “If the victim can forgive the 20-year-old’s inexplicable mistake, then so can we.”
Some fans have gone as far as saying that the 20-year-old should never be able to fight again after the incident.
“I honestly can’t understand why people think he should get another chance, let alone not have his license revoked. The dude bit a guy badly in a sanctioned MMA fight. He should not be a fighter period.” @RJPOD commented.
This is the first case of its kind in MMA with the future repercussions unknown at this time.