TAMPA -- Hillsborough deputies say a 22-year-old man wielded a kitchen knife at his pregnant girlfriend and punched her in the face. But he came out the worse in the attack:

His girlfriend bit off the tip of his finger in self-defense.

Reginald Gefferie, 22, of Tampa was charged with aggravated battery on a pregnant female and false imprisonment. He — and the tip of his finger — were taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he was treated. He is now in jail.

Deputies say Gefferie and girlfriend Junie Dieujuste, 22, got into a verbal argument Monday evening. Gefferie armed himself with a knife, pointed it at Dieujuste and and refused to allow her to leave the bathroom by blocking the doorway with his body. He pushed her and punched her in the face with a closed hand.

According to authorities, Dieujuste fought back in self-defense, and the fight continued to the bedroom. He put a small dresser in front of the closed bedroom door, refusing to let her leave. He grabbed by the neck with one hand pushing her up against the wall and punching her in the face.

Then she bit off the tip of the middle finger on his right hand. She sustained a laceration to her forehead, as well as contusions.

The pair have been together for five years and have a child together.

Records show Gefferie got out of prison in February for a 2011 robbery conviction. He has been arrested 11 times in Florida on charges including marijuana possession and loitering.