On Friday, boxing legend Muhammad Ali (pictured), considered by many as the world’s greatest fighter, passed at the age of 74 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Although Ali was never able to articulate his feelings about MMA by the time the sport became a major player in combat sports, many of MMA’s biggest superstars showed their appreciation for Ali and his contributions to fighting after news of his death was announced.
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'” – Muhammad Ali
Rest in peace to my biggest inspiration pic.twitter.com/gqIuuxSpC1
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 4, 2016
Nobody will ever come close to this mans greatness.
And if they do, they better wake up and apologise. #RIPAli pic.twitter.com/ED2wgignB2— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 4, 2016
# 1 athlete I looked up to was Muhammad Ali…
This is crazy that he's gone! Doesn't seem real at all.— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) June 4, 2016
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) June 4, 2016
#RIP To the Greatest https://t.co/OrfcFUIfQy
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) June 4, 2016
#RIP to an awesome fighter who was inspiration to many and to me. Thanx for sharing your gift with the world. pic.twitter.com/LTxNrs8GkG
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) June 4, 2016
One of my idols has passed away tonight. Never had the honor to be in the arenas in one his fights. #RIPMuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/3zLNwZ8UK7
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) June 4, 2016
Rest in Peace Muhammed Ali. Forever a fan.
— Shane Carwin (@ShaneCarwin) June 4, 2016
Ali changed the World. He was the Greatest! RIP Ali
— Marc Ratner UFC (@MarcRatnerUFC) June 4, 2016
Your legacy will live forever. We're all going to miss you Champ, float on. #RIPMuhammadAli #GOAT pic.twitter.com/MG5QKLufSt
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) June 4, 2016
RIP an inspiration to so many… 🙏🏼😪 "He who is not courageous enough to take risks … https://t.co/ckUjzRF9mM
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 4, 2016
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 4, 2016
The two men challenging Ali as boxing’s greatest also expressed their condolences:
“Words can’t explain what Muhammad Ali (has) done for the sport of boxing,” Floyd Mayweather told ESPN. “He’s one of the guys that paved the way for me to be where I am today. We lost a legend, a hero and a great man.”
God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP pic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) June 4, 2016
RIP, Ali