Igor Severino did not receive a paycheck for his fight against Andre Lima at UFC Vegas 89.
Severino's wallet was seized by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after he was disqualified for biting Lima in the second round of the UFC APEX preliminary card last Saturday, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
The exact amount in Severino's wallet is unknown because NAC does not disclose his salary.
Severino faces a suspension and possible fine for his actions at next month's NAC meeting. His bite is unprecedented in mixed martial arts, so it's unclear what punishment he might face. Mike Tyson was fined $3 million and had his boxing license revoked after the infamous “biting fight” in which he repeatedly bit then-champion Evander Holyfield's ear, tearing part of it off.
UFC CEO Dana White initially indicated that Severino was facing repercussions from the NAC, which oversees UFC Vegas 89. UFC executives also announced that Severino will be released from the UFC after just one fight in a career that began with a win on Dana White's Contender Series.
Despite the bite that left a visible scar on his arm, Lima opined that the UFC should give Severino another chance. The winning fighter was in such a good mood after the bizarre incident that he even got a tattoo of a bite mark with the caption: “I got a fucking bite.” Impressed, White later announced he would give Lima $25,000 for the bite and an additional $25,000 for the tattoo.
Severino initially denied biting Lima, but the camera cut to Lima's arm, revealing obvious bite marks. He has not yet publicly commented on the incident.
