In a strange way, Andre Lima sympathizes with Igor Severino following his UFC release.
Severino (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) was disqualified for biting Lima (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in the second round of their UFC on ESPN 53 bout this past Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. He was subsequently cut from the promotion and had his purse withheld by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Lima received a $50,000 “Bite of the Night” bonus but can’t help but feel for fellow Dana White’s Contender Series alum Severino.
“I feel so sorry, to be honest,” Lima told TMZ through an interpreter. “I’m sad for him because he came from the same thing. He struggled a lot like I did. He has a family. He has a bright future. …I feel so much for him because I know the same journey I have, he has too. I feel bad for him.”
Lima’s manager suggested that he get the bite mark tattooed, and he did, but Lima hopes this won’t be the most memorable moment of his career.
“I want to be remembered by showing my skills,” Lima said. “I know the bite is good. At the end of the day, it was a good thing for me, but I want to become a world champion. I want to get back there and show my skills. That’s how I want to be remembered.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 53.
