A Bulgarian MMA fighter channelled his inner Mike Tyson by biting off a chunk of his opponent’s ear over the weekend.
The shocking moment happened during a welterweight clash between Georgi Valentinov (23-7) and Mitko Iliev (8-5) at MAXFIGHT 62 in Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria, on Saturday night.
During the second round, with both men clinched against the ropes, Valentinov sank his teeth into Iliev’s left ear before tearing off a chunk and spitting it onto the canvas.
Iliev grimaced and repeatedly alerted the referee to the biting, but the action wasn’t waved off until a lump of flesh was spotted on the ring apron.
Blood spewed out of Iliev’s wound, but to the utter disbelief of onlookers, he never cried out in pain.
Valentinov was subsequently disqualified and has now been banned from competing for the MAX FIGHT promotion.
Company president, Lyuben Dzhubrilov, condemned Valentinov’s actions in a statement released on social media.
“Dear fans of combat sports,” the statement, which has been translated from Bulgarian to English, began.
“I am writing to you not only as the president of the largest professional combat organisation in Bulgaria, but also as a person who has been defending the name of this sport and its meaning for more than 20 years – honour, courage, respect and controlled force within the rules.
“On July 19, 2025, during the MAXFIGHT 62 event at the Summer Theatre in Sveti Vlas, we witnessed something that not only has no place in sports – it has no place in any civilised form of behaviour.
“Georgi Valentinov committed a deliberate, brutal and horrific act by biting off part of the ear of his opponent, Mitko Iliev.
“This was not a sporting situation. This was not a loss of control. This was a deliberate and heinous act that is not subject to any justification.
“In such cases, there is no room for ‘discussion’ or ‘conciliatory tone’. There is only room for a position.
“MAX FIGHT takes its responsibility clearly and categorically: Georgi Valentinov is banned from participating in any event organised by us. No right of appeal. No ‘second chance’. No apologies.
“What happened at the end of the evening was a shock to everyone – including me.
“But let me be very clear: MAX FIGHT will not compromise.
“MAX FIGHT will continue to build a stage for true fighters – people with discipline, honour and heart. All others have no place here.”
The whole scene was eerily reminiscent of Tyson and Evander Holyfield’s rematch in 1996.
Tyson was disqualified, fined $3million, and had his boxing license revoked after biting part of Holyfield’s right ear off in the third round of their grudge match.
He eventually had his license reissued 15 months later, when he demonstrated remorse and commitment to change in an appeal to the Nevada State Athletic Commission.