Andre Lima Not in Favor of Dana White Cutting Short Igor Severino’s UFC Career After Biting the Brazilian

UFC Vegas 89 was witness to an unusual incident during a flyweight bout. Igor Severino made his UFC debut against Andre Lima and subsequently got disqualified for biting his opponent as the latter grabbed the win. Following the incident, Dana White decided to fire Severino.

In the second round of their match, Andre Lima was bitten by Igor Severino, unbeknownst to the referee. Lima exposed the illegal move by displaying the bite mark, followed by Dana White terminating Severino’s contract, and compensating Lima with a $50,000 bonus. Despite this, ‘Mascote’ felt Severino shouldn’t be ousted from the UFC.

Andre Lima did not want to see Igor Severino get fired

There was no doubt that people were going to ask Andre Lima about the biting incident at UFC Vegas 89. He appeared during the post-fight press conference and responded to the reporters asking him if he wanted to see Igor Severino released from the UFC or if he should get another chance. Lima stated that the 20-year-old is a very talented fighter for the promotion to release him.

“I don’t think he should be fired from the cut or fired from the UFC because this is a young athlete, a good athlete, someone who is undefeated,” said Andre Lima via a translator. He further mentioned that Igor Severino biting him could be an outcome of him getting overwhelmed on his UFC debut.

“The emotions may have gotten the best out of him, the adrenaline might have gotten him,” Lima added. ‘Mascote’ also mentioned that fighting under the bright lights of the UFC inside the Octagon is not something fighters get used to easily. As such, he believes that the UFC should keep Igor Severino on the roster.

“It’s a whole new world inside the Octagon. It’s a different thing and I think… he should stay in the UFC,” ‘Mascote’ added. Andre Lima also suggested what he thinks should be the punishment for Igor Severino for his use of unfair means at UFC Vegas 89.

UFC should give Severino “a little talking to” instead of sacking him

Despite being opponents and contenders in the same division, Andre Lima had some words of praise and encouragement for Igor Severino. He claims that his fellow Brazilian flyweight fighter has all the tools to become great in the UFC, and hopes that he will represent his native country the same way many Brazilians have in Dana White’s promotion. Lima further stated, “I’m sure that with the great athlete that he is, being undefeated, he will represent Brazil just as well as I am.”

Moreover, Andre Lima suggests that instead of terminating the 20-year-old’s contract, the UFC executives should look forward to having a chat with Igor Severino, and there should be no other punishments. “It’s just about, you know, giving him a little pep talk, a little talking to, and nothing over that,” Lima added.

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However, Dana White wasted no time in firing Igor Severino following the incident. Now, the big question is whether he will take into account the statements made by Andre Lima. Interestingly, biting incidents have occurred in various sports, so what unfolded at UFC Vegas 89 was not entirely unprecedented in MMA fights. It remains to be seen if the UFC will implement new regulations to address these illegal tactics in the future.

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