There was controversy at Friday’s Invicta FC 21 event.

Strawweight contender Celine Haga choked her opponent out. Yet still lost the fight.

Haga locked in a rear-naked choke at the end of the third round against Amy Montenegro at Invicta FC 21 on Saturday night in Kansas City. Montenegro went unconscious, but referee Greg Franklin didn’t known until the bell sounded and he separated the pair.

Rather than the fight being called a submission win for Haga, Franklin sent it to the judges. Montenegro ended up winning the bout by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Veteran referee John McCarthy told MMA Fighting on Saturday night that the rule is if the fight finishes with a fighter unconscious in a submission, the result should always be a submission victory for the one applying the submission.

Celine Haga meanwhile reveals in a post on her Facebook page that she will appeal the decision:

I’m sorry about tonight. I wish I could done better.. And can’t wait for the re match… Anyway Im going to appeal the decision…. I dont know how my opponent can win if she is unconscious when the fight is over.. ? ? ? ? ? In moments like this.. I know for real how much mma.. Fighting mean to me.. Nothing makes me feel so sad, disappointed, and empty. Looking forward to work on my flaws..

The controversial finish caused Twitter to explode, some blasting Franklin for not noticing that Montenegro was out before the buzzer.

Take a look at the finish and some of the tweets below:

WOW!! What an end to Amy Montenegro vs Celine Haga on #InvictaFC21 #UFCFIGHTPASS pic.twitter.com/w0SyP2Ipoz — UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) January 15, 2017

These refs are going to let someone DIE here tonight at #InvictaFC21! That girl was OUT COLD, STUCK in a RNC & the ref had NO idea. INSANE! — Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) January 15, 2017

Really upset about the call made for @celineHaga on @InvictaFights hopefully they revisit that decision — Michelle Waterson (@karatehottiemma) January 15, 2017

If the fighters can't get to their corner under their own power then the fight should be over. Haga put her out. Haga won. #InvictaFC21 — Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) January 15, 2017

Omg!! That sh was CRAZY! #InvictaFC21 a rematch is in order! — Sarah Patterson (@PrimalPatterson) January 15, 2017

When they said they were going to the judges… #InvictaFC21 pic.twitter.com/1ajRpBwfe5 — Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) January 15, 2017

Most retarded call ever! Chick went to sleep. Should've been Haga's. Smh. #invictaFC21 — Kola Shippentower (@KO_Kola1) January 15, 2017

What the hell ref she was out like 5 sec before the bell @InvictaFights #InvictaFC21 — Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) January 15, 2017

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