UFC Baku fighter Tahir Abdullayev accused of biting opponent
Azerbaijani welterweight Tahir Abdullayev faces accusations of biting opponent Jefferson Nascimento during his UFC debut win at UFC Baku on June 27.
Abdullayev stopped Nascimento by third-round TKO at the National Gymnastics Arena, but fans reviewing the broadcast flagged a moment where the newcomer's face made contact with Nascimento's ear during a grappling exchange. Video circulating online shows Nascimento grabbing his ear and appearing to react in pain roughly a minute before the finish, per MMA Mania. The footage remains inconclusive — the contact could be incidental head pressure against swollen cartilage rather than an intentional bite.
Nascimento has not filed formal complaint after UFC Baku incident
Nascimento has not publicly accused Abdullayev of biting. That silence carries weight in a promotion where UFC CEO Dana White previously called biting the "worst thing you can do" after releasing prospect Igor Severino for a confirmed bite earlier this year. The organization moves swiftly on proven violations, often cutting fighters the day footage surfaces.
The stoppage itself drew scrutiny. The first two rounds produced little action before Abdullayev landed a takedown and unleashed ground strikes that prompted referee intervention. Critics questioned whether the finish came early or reflected hometown favoritism in Baku.
Neither fighter has addressed the biting allegations directly. If Nascimento files a formal complaint or releases medical documentation, the UFC will likely review broadcast angles and make a ruling within days.
Original reporting:
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