Making the best of an ugly situation, the UFC has steered right into UFC Vegas 89’s biting incident.
Not since Mike Tyson has a fighter taken such a chunk out of an opponent, but Igor Severino did his best Hannibal Lecter impression at the Fight Night event on Saturday. During a grappling exchange/takedown attempt, he took the time to chomp on Andre Lima’s arm, resulting in an immediate disqualification.
Lima, before the event was even over, had managed to get a tattoo commemorating the incident, and UFC President Dana White’s promise of a $25,000 bonus — later upped to $50,000 when he caught wind of the tattoo.
Severino meanwhile was cut for one of the most blatant fouls in recent memory.
The UFC even had a little fun with the incident, officially announcing the “Bite of the Night” bonus.
Tonight's BOTN 💰💰 #UFCVegas89 pic.twitter.com/Ngttbbryr8
— UFC (@ufc) March 24, 2024
The more traditional post-fight bonuses at UFC Vegas 89 saw Fight of the Night honors awarded to Steven Nguyen and Jarno Errens. The bout saw Errens come away with a hard-fought win. Two main card standouts picked up Performance of the Night bonuses, meanwhile. In an absolute beatdown, the undefeated Payton Talbott finished fellow prospect Cameron Saaiman by TKO, a stoppage that felt more like a life-saving intervention by the ref.
Fernando Padilla picked up the other Performance bonus for a brabo (standing d’arce) choke submission of Luis Pajuelo.
All five fighters pick up $50,000 for their efforts; Lima may want to consider a tetanus shot.
