St. Vlas, Bulgaria – July 19, 2025 – A disturbing incident at MaxFight 62 has despatched shockwaves by the world of blended martial arts, as Bulgarian fighter Georgi Valentinov bit off a portion of his opponent’s ear throughout a stay televised bout—then spat it out in the midst of the cage.
The surprising act—eerily paying homage to the notorious Tyson–Holyfield incident—was broadcast stay on nationwide TV, sparking speedy backlash throughout Bulgarian media and the worldwide MMA neighborhood.
Regardless of the sufferer’s repeated cries of “He’s biting me!” throughout the bout, no intervention got here from the referee, elevating severe questions in regards to the officiating requirements beneath the supervision of the Bulgarian MMA Federation (BULMMAF), the physique accountable for regulating the game in Bulgaria.
Initially, the bout was inexplicably dominated a “No Contest.” Solely after widespread public outrage on social media and nationwide information channels did the Federation concern a revised resolution, belatedly disqualifying Valentinov. Critics have described the Federation’s response as each delayed and insufficient.
MaxFight President, one of many few remaining figures maintaining skilled MMA alive in Bulgaria, referred to as the occasion “a black eye on Bulgarian MMA.” Nonetheless, observers and insiders are pointing to deeper structural points throughout the sport’s nationwide management.
Underneath the management of BULMMAF President Stanislav Nedkov, Bulgarian MMA has skilled a dramatic decline. Over 80% of MMA golf equipment have closed, professional-level occasions have dwindled, and in Sofia—as soon as the game’s epicenter—solely two lively MMA gyms stay. Nedkov’s tenure has been broadly criticized for alleged mismanagement, lack of transparency, and political favoritism.
There are additionally rising considerations concerning political safety afforded to each Nedkov and Valentinov, which has allegedly shielded them from accountability. Notably, Valentinov was beforehand banned by Naked Knuckle Combating Championship (BKFC) for utilizing his post-fight speech to ship political messages throughout the group’s first European occasion.
The biting incident represents a harmful escalation. Past the grotesque nature of the act, it underscores a troubling collapse of requirements, regulation, and oversight in Bulgarian MMA.
In a press assertion issued the day after the incident, Nedkov defended the referee’s inaction and inexplicably prompt banning MMA bouts “in a hoop”—regardless of the combat happening in a cage and the setting having no relation to the assault. Many athletes and promoters worry this rhetoric alerts additional suppression of Bulgaria’s already-struggling MMA scene.
MMA in Bulgaria is at a crossroads. Whereas passionate athletes and promoters proceed to combat for the game’s future, their efforts are being undermined by a regulatory physique considered as unfit and disconnected from the neighborhood it claims to characterize.
That is now not nearly one fighter’s violent misconduct. It’s in regards to the survival of a whole sport in Bulgaria—and the pressing want for accountability, reform, and accountable management.
