Mike Tyson’s horrific ear bite may have been outdone by a regional MMA fighter.
Tyson is widely regarded as one of boxing’s biggest legends, having become known as “the Baddest Man on the Planet” owing to his reign as heavyweight king. But while his brutal knockouts and stint as undisputed champion left a mark on the sport, ‘Iron Mike’ and his career were far from controversy-free.
That includes what transpired on June 28, 1997. After losing the WBA title in the second loss of his career, Tyson went into an immediate rematch with Evander Holyfield targeting revenge. He did not exit the ring with that, taking a part of his opponent’s ear instead.
Tyson was disqualified after brutally biting Holyfield’s ear, which was left with a piece missing at the top. The incident ensured the pair’s rematch would go down as one of the most bizarre in history, and it saw ‘Iron Mike’ briefly lose his boxing licence.
And that move evidently inspired one MMA fighter in his recent appearance.
Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty ImagesMaxFight 62 fighter sparks in-ring brawl after biting off a chunk of his opponent’s ear
Bulgarian MMA has reportedly been on a decline in recent times, and it’s safe to say that what went down at the MaxFight 62 event at Amphitheater Arena in Sveti Vlas won’t have helped boost the sport’s reputation there.
Among those who competed on the July 19 event was Georgi Valentinov, who entered a clash with fellow Bulgarian Mitko Iliev with a 23-5 record in pro MMA and just two fights on from a victory under the prominent BKFC banner.
But Valentinov undid his career’s positive work with an outrageous moment. Channeling his inner Tyson, the 32-year-old bit Iliev’s ear during a clinch exchange against the ropes. Per PhilBoxing.com, the victim repeatedly alerted the referee to the situation, but the action was not stopped.
Blood ran profusely from Iliev’s left ear, and there was no doubt about what had occurred when a huge chunk of his ear was spotted on the ring apron.
Irate at what had happened, Iliev launched a punch at Valentinov after the fight had ended, sparking a brief brawl as security fought to keep the pair away from each other.
Chaos erupted at Maxfight 62 in St. Vlas when Bulgarian fighter Georgi Valentinov sank his teeth into his opponent’s ear during a live MMA bout—biting off a full section and spitting it mid-fight, in a scene eerily reminiscent of Tyson vs. Holyfield. St. Vlas, Bulgaria – July 19,… pic.twitter.com/jnGvsRMfiA
— Vechtsport Info 🇳🇱 🇲🇦 🇧🇪 🇪🇺 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@vechtsport_Info) July 21, 2025
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Max Fight president fires Georgi Valentinov after ‘heinous’ Mike Tyson-esque foul
Valentinov’s horrific move unsurprisingly did not go unpunished.
In addition to being disqualified on the night, the Bulgarian fighter was seemingly fined at least a portion of his purse. And he won’t be getting any more paychecks from that promotion.
Max Fight president Lyuben Dzhubrilov released a statement on social media strongly condemning Valentinov’s actions, which he described as a “brutal” act that has no place in a sport of “honor, courage, and respect.”
“Dear fans of combat sports,” the statement began (translation via fakti.bg). “I am writing to you not only as the president of the largest professional combat organization in Bulgaria, but also as a person who has been defending the name of this sport and its meaning for more than 20 years – honor, courage, respect and controlled force within the rules.
“On July 19, 2025, during the MAXFIGHT 62 event at the Summer Theater in Sveti Vlas, we witnessed something that not only has no place in sports – it has no place in any civilized form of behavior. 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.”
With that in mind, Dzhubrilov insisted there is no room for second chances after an incident like that and announced that the fighter is banned from his organization.
“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 organized 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, honor and heart. All others have no place here.”