An incident at Maxcompete 62 in St. Vlas has attracted attention in the combat sports community after Bulgarian grappler Georgi Valentinov bit off a piece of his opponent’s ear during their bout, creating disturbing parallels to the infamous Mike Tyson–Evander Holyfield encounter.
The terrible scene unfolded live on national television as Valentinov’s opponent desperately cried out
“He’s biting me! He’s biting me!”
while the referee stood by without taking action. Spectators watched on as Valentinov spat out the ear fragment onto the canvas, transforming what should have been a professional athletic competition into a spectacle.
The referee’s failure to intervene became a focal point of criticism as the competitor’s screams echoed throughout the venue. Despite the obvious distress and clear violation of sporting conduct, officials allowed the grotesque incident to continue, raising serious questions about oversight and competitor safety.
Initially, the Bulgarian MMA Federation (BULMMAF) attempted damage control by ruling the bout a
“No Contest.”
However, this tepid response triggered an avalanche of social media backlash and public condemnation. Only after facing intense pressure did the federation reverse course and disqualify Valentinov, though many viewed this delayed reaction as inadequate.
The chairman of MaxCompete, one of Bulgaria’s remaining MMA organizations, expressed his devastation over the incident, describing it as
“a dark day for MMA in Bulgaria.”
His words reflected the broader sentiment that this single act had tarnished the reputation of an entire sport.
The controversy has intensified scrutiny of BULMMAF President Stanislav Nedkov, whose leadership has coincided with a dramatic decline in Bulgarian MMA. Under his tenure, more than eighty percent of the country’s MMA clubs have shuttered their doors. Major tournaments have been cancelled and even Sofia, the nation’s capital, now hosts only two remaining MMA gyms.
Adding another layer of complexity to the scandal are allegations that Valentinov enjoys protection from influential political figures. Sources suggest this connection may explain how he has managed to continue competing despite previous controversies, including a ban from BKFC following a political statement during a public appearance.
Nedkov’s response to the crisis has only fueled additional outrage. Rather than addressing the systemic issues within his organization, he defended the referee’s inaction and suggested that ring combat might need to be prohibited entirely.
