The sports world experienced a shocking loss on Sunday when Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and eight others, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, tragically were killed in a helicopter crash. Bryant was 41.
Bryant’s influence was felt well beyond basketball, and that included the MMA world. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion with the Lakers, attended multiple UFC events and was a partner with UFC sponsor BodyArmor.
His death rippled through the MMA community, as seen in the social media reactions below from UFC president Dana White and many more.
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Fuck man rest easy Kobe Byrant your legacy will live forever
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) January 26, 2020
One of the greatest athletes of all time . RIP KOBE BRYANT
pic.twitter.com/iAk0vdR98B
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) January 26, 2020
Feeling speechless right now. This hurts. RIP #kobebryant and all family and others involved.
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) January 26, 2020
Man Kobe was one of my fav/ greatest athletes of all time
. RIP to a great one
— Eryk Anders (@erykanders) January 26, 2020
I am a wrestler and fighter at heart but athlete by choice. Kobe has to be one of the most iconic athletes of my generation that I can remember watching for so many years. RIP Kobe
— Deron Winn (@DeronWinn) January 26, 2020
OMG KOBE !!!
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) January 26, 2020
Damn RIP Kobe. That meme with him talking to his duaghter at the game hit hard man
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) January 26, 2020
What a tragedy! RIP to Kobe Bryant and to everyone in the crash. Truly heartbreaking
pic.twitter.com/goSwQ0IWwx
— Randa Markos (@randamma) January 26, 2020
Rest In Peace brother
— Gökhan Saki (@gokhantherebel) January 26, 2020
This is absolutely heartbreaking.. An inspiration to so many people taken too soon. Thoughts are with his family
https://t.co/OEymuv3N6E
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) January 26, 2020
RIP Mamba
— Curtis Blaydes (@RazorBlaydes265) January 26, 2020
RIP, I’m gonna miss you champ
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 26, 2020
MMA community mourns Kobe Bryant after NBA legend's tragic death in helicopter crash