Brazilian fighter Andre Lima commemorated the teeth marks left by his opponent Igor Severino, who bit him during their UFC match in Las Vegas on Saturday, by getting a tattoo of them.
During the second round of their flyweight bout, Severino bit Lima on the biceps while they were in a clinch against the cage.
Referee Chris Tognoni halted the fight, and after reviewing the incident, Brazilian fighter Severino was disqualified, granting the victory to Lima.
Impressed by his performance in his debut fight, UFC president Dana White initially offered 25-year-old Lima a bonus. However, upon seeing Lima’s tattoo commemorating the incident, White decided to double the bonus to $50,000 (£40,000).
“I was going to give him 25k,” White posted on Instagram. “Now I’m giving him 50k, this is awesome.”
Lima wrote: “It was so insane I had to make it permanent! A debut to remember! Thanks boss Dana White! Ready for many more!”
Severino, 20, has reportedly been released from the UFC by White, who told journalist Kevin Iole:, external “Those were two up-and-coming undefeated fighters.
“If you get frustrated and want out of the fight, there are plenty of ways to do it, but the worst thing you can do is bite your opponent.
“Now you get cut and lose the biggest opportunity of your life. Not to mention, he’s going to have real problems with the NSAC [Nevada State Athletic Commission].”
Speaking in the octagon after the fight, Lima said: “I was able to hit him really hard, but then he bit me when I was trying to take him down. That’s why I yelled.”
In the headline fight, former American strawweight champion Rose Namajunas secured a unanimous decision victory over Brazilian Amanda Ribas in their flyweight clash.
On the preliminary card, British heavyweight Mick Parkin triumphed over Nigeria’s Mohammed Usman, the brother of former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, via unanimous decision.