Look: Massive hematoma ends Bellator 172 women's flyweight fight
(Warning: This story contains graphic images)
Women's flyweight prospect Brooke Mayo suffered a heartbreaking loss on Saturday at Bellator 172 when a cageside physician ruled her unable to continue due to a growing hematoma over her left eye.
Brooke Mayo is sporting quite the hematoma. Did the doctor make the right call to stop the fight? #Bellator172 (@allelbows) pic.twitter.com/Mn0vRjGcKD
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) February 19, 2017
The official result of the bout was a third-round TKO (doctor stoppage) win for Mayo's opponent Veta Arteaga. Arteaga's right hand connected repeatedly throughout the bout and by the end it was clear that the strikes had taken their toll.
Following the fight being waived off, Mayo pleaded with the doctor to allow her to continue, repeatedly saying "I can see!" but her request was denied.
Coincidentally, former UFC heavyweight Matt Mitrione was originally scheduled to compete on the card before being forced to withdrawal with an illness. Mitrione developed one of the worst hematomas in recent memory in a loss to Travis Browne last January:
Who wore it better Matt Mitrione or Brooke Mayo? #Bellator172 pic.twitter.com/vPZMKw4WKb
— TheFightWolff (@DwayneWolff1) February 19, 2017