UFC fighters mourn death of Kobe Bryant
Several UFC fighters took to social media Sunday to mourn the losses of former NBA star Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Seven others died in the crash.
UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic thanked Bryant, who spoke at a UFC athlete retreat in 2017, for all he did for the sports world and beyond.
Shocked. Rest in paradise @kobebryant. Thank you for all you have done for athletes and everyone in the world’s communities. You are a legend. Sending love from the Miocic family on this unthinkable day. God bless. #SM
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) January 26, 2020
RIP, I’m gonna miss you champ 😢 #mamba #5xchamp #lakers #father #husband #entrepreneur pic.twitter.com/PfzeRqqf2x
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 26, 2020
Thank you for choosing me KB. Thank you for trusting me with this show that meant so much to you. It was your brainchild. We will honor you with every episode. You were just the best, and getting to know you is something I’ll never forget. #ripmamba pic.twitter.com/w1qGZ2gNxm
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 27, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones offered his condolences to Bryant's wife, Vanessa. Bryant and Vanessa have three other daughters who weren't aboard the helicopter.
Just sad man...
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) January 26, 2020
Woke up to the news and it’s sad az.
Rip pic.twitter.com/tO1GicrqS7
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) January 26, 2020
Man, Tragic knews to wake up to. Prayers and condolences to family🙏
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) January 26, 2020
RIP Kobe & Gianna
Terribly sad 😭
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) January 26, 2020
RIP to a legend who meant so much to so many. You will be remembered forever as the champion you are.🙏 pic.twitter.com/xRVuSf157X
Like many fans around the world I didn't get the chance to actually meet Kobe. But when things got difficult for me, choosing to work harder in the dark, choosing to try to be better today than yesterday, choosing Mamba mentality, https://t.co/HRXe1VTIrK
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) January 27, 2020
made me feel like I understood and knew him as good as anybody could. Loved watching him play... but seeing his relationship with his daughters, seeing how he was able to successfully move on to new obsessions after basketball,
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) January 27, 2020
those are the things my team and I talked about most and actually adopted. He had every damn scoring record you could want but I'm most grateful to him for those assists to my life.
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) January 27, 2020