Ugly cut stops Girtz as Campos wins trilogy bout in Bellator 181 main event

Warning: Post contains gruesome imagery

The good news is that the third chapter of the Derek Campos-Brandon Girtz trilogy was an instant classic.

The bad news is that they'll probably have to do it again.

In the lightweight main event of Bellator 181 in Thackerville, Okla., on Friday, a brutal battle between Campos and Girtz came to a halt when cageside officials ruled that a gushing cut right in the middle of Girtz's forehead was too severe for the bout to continue.

Campos was awarded a TKO victory by doctor stoppage before the start of Round 3, and post-fight he had nothing but respect for his three-fight rival. Prior to the bout being waved off, it was developing into a surefire Fight of the Year candidate.

Fans and critics may be inclined to award it that title anyway after witnessing two rounds of non-stop action:

Looking like they were willing to do anything to break their 1-1 series tie, Girtz and Campos eschewed good sense and proper technique to engage in an all-out slugfest from bell to bell.

Several power shots left both men stumbling around the cage, with neither wasting much time recovering. Instead, they continued to press forward and bang against each other like two cars at a demolition derby.

A Campos knee opened up the fateful cut right in the middle of Girtz's forehead and social media commentators jumped on the visual, comparing it to the Jumpman logo and a fidget spinner.

Referee "Big" John McCarthy paused the action in Round 2 so that the wound could be inspected, and while the fight was initially allowed to continue, it was later determined that Girtz's cut had worsened to a point that he should no longer compete.

This is Campos' second win over Girtz. The two first fought at Bellator 96 back in 2013, with Campos taking a unanimous decision. Girtz won their rematch at Bellator 146 by 37-second KO and they were booked to meet each other again after Campos' previously scheduled Bellator 181 opponent Patricky Freire was rescheduled for another card.

This is the fourth straight win for "The Stallion," while Girtz has gone 0-3 since defeating Campos. Given the somewhat unsatisfying conclusion to Friday's main event, this might not be the last we've seen of this rivalry.