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Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer
Igor Severino, the 20-year-old who was released by the UFC after biting an opponent last weekend, said there was “nothing that justifies” his actions that night.
Brazil's Severino was disqualified for biting Andre Lima's left arm in the second round of his UFC debut. This bite left a very visible mark, and soon UFC CEO Dana White announced that Severino would never fight in the UFC again. Mr. White also gave Mr. Lima a $50,000 bonus as the first-ever “Bite of the Night.”
Severino said in an interview this week that he doesn't remember biting Lima and doesn't understand what prompted him to do so.
“I remember everything that was going on until it hit me really hard,” Severino told MMAJunkie. “I watched the video later and thought I hit my elbow. From there I was on autopilot. I don't remember anything. I've never done anything outside of sports. I couldn't understand.'' What's wrong?
“When I watched the fight, a lot of people came up to me and said, 'Hey, you won the round. Why did you do that?'” But yeah, I think it was one round at a time. Or you could say I was winning. There was nothing that could justify me biting.”
Severino (8-1) continued that his family received threatening messages in the aftermath of the incident, which received worldwide attention. The Nevada State Athletic Commission withheld funds related to Severino's fight pending a disciplinary hearing.
Following Severino's disqualification and subsequent UFC release, Lima actually expressed sympathy for his fellow Brazilian. There was no bad relationship between the two before or during the match. Severino said he hopes this moment doesn't define his MMA career and that he ultimately hopes the UFC will give him another chance.
“I know things are pretty bad for me right now, but I just want people to see me for who I am,” Severino said. “Please let me have a career again. Please give me a chance to come back and find myself again. Please show everyone the real me.”
