MMA community mourns tragic death of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant

The sports world experienced a shocking loss on Sunday when Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and four others, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, tragically were killed in a helicopter crash.

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.

* * * * *

View this post on Instagram

Horrible!!!! RIP my man 😞🙏🏻

A post shared by Dana White (@danawhite) on Jan 26, 2020 at 11:44am PST

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. 🙏🏼🙏🏼😢 @ Los Angeles, California https://t.co/7tyN4xAg30

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) January 26, 2020

Damn, this one hurts. #KobeBryant

— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) 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

Can’t believe what I just heard. My heart is broken. God bless his family. @kobebryant

— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) 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

I am beyond sorry for the loss of Kobe Bryant and all fellow passengers on that fateful flight. He left a legacy few can hold a candle to. Remember, tomorrow is not guaranteed, LIVE YOUR FUCKING LIFE!!!

— michael (@bisping) January 26, 2020

If the news about @kobebryant is true my heart breaks for the loss and my thoughts and prayers are with his family during this devastating time. RIP to one of the best to ever play the game.

— KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) January 26, 2020

RIP to the legend @kobebryant Honestly can’t even believe that this news is true. Growing up wasn’t a Kobe/Laker fan, but couldn’t help to admire, appreciate, and respect the competitor that he was, and all that he… https://t.co/VVRJvF7cpm

— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) January 26, 2020

Just sad man…
Woke up to the news and it’s sad az.

— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) 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 🙏#kobebryant #kobe pic.twitter.com/h952aiyey5

— 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 😢 https://t.co/pmHZIhVAPi

— Curtis Blaydes (@RazorBlaydes265) January 26, 2020

A million apologies and condolences we just lost a super athlete #ripKobe

— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) 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