Jon Jones, Diaz brothers, many more UFC stars mourn passing of boxing icon Muhammad Ali

The sports world lost an icon on Friday night as Muhammad Ali passed away at the age of 74. The boxing legend had been hospitalized on Thursday with a respiratory condition which then worsened, and he was put on life support before finally passing in the hospital.

A sports hero an inspiration for most in the combat sports world, Ali’s death brought a flood of emotion to social media from UFC stars and other MMA competitors, with UFC 200 headliner Jon Jones, Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell, the Diaz brothers, and many, many more posting tributes. Below is just a sampling of reaction:

To the greatest #RIPAli

A video posted by Jon Bones Jones (@jonnybones) on Jun 3, 2016 at 10:04pm PDT

“He raised the bar for mankind. Taught us the importance of standing up for what you thought was right,” Jones said. “Muhammad Ali was innovative. He was one of a kind. There will never be another Muhammad Ali.”

A few things I’ll cherish forever https://t.co/DVkb2nOdGh pic.twitter.com/hlIMHQEHYG

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 4, 2016

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion”

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 4, 2016

My heart hurts to hear the news just now about one of my heroes and one of the greatest boxers of all time Muhammad Ali RIP #GOAT #inspiration #legend

A photo posted by Chuck Liddell (@chuckliddell) on Jun 3, 2016 at 10:08pm PDT

Rip #respect #MohammedAli

A photo posted by nickdiaz209 (@nickdiaz209) on Jun 3, 2016 at 9:40pm PDT

Rip to the champ #goat

A photo posted by natediaz209 (@natediaz209) on Jun 3, 2016 at 10:35pm PDT

I’m fighting tears as I make this video. Ali gave me hope to believe in myself when no one else did. He taught us how to be confident, charismatic, and compassionate. He was the Greatest because of how he fought, the adversity he overcame, his believe in self, and what he stood for. You were, you are and forever will be THE GREATEST. Love you and will miss you!

A video posted by Tyron Woodley (@twooodley) on Jun 3, 2016 at 10:38pm PDT

I don’t often post with heavy emotions but seriously @muhammadali being on his death bed bothers me and even though I’ve never met the man I think most of us feel like we know him like a close friend. He has done so many great things in his life and affected so many lives we can’t begin to scratch the surface of how influential he truly was. Looking through image search on Google to find a pic to post of Ali reminded me yet again why he has had such a profound affect on fighters of our generation and surely for generations to come. It’s just one amazing quote after another. Their will never be another like him. #muhammadali #thegreatest

A photo posted by Matthew Brown (@iamtheimmortal) on Jun 3, 2016 at 9:04pm PDT

Sad news. Rest easy champ pic.twitter.com/67tOiJADLi

— Michael McDonald (@MaydayMcDonald) June 4, 2016

🙏🙏🙏

A photo posted by @kingkevincasey on Jun 3, 2016 at 9:40pm PDT

#RIP To the Greatest

A photo posted by Frankie Edgar (@frankieedgar) on Jun 3, 2016 at 10:14pm PDT

#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

😞 pic.twitter.com/pYGcNp5JqV

— Dana White (@danawhite) June 4, 2016

#MuhammadAli will be remembered forever. #Ali is the definition of a true warrior w/ courage & heart.#RipMuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/6gp6JbaC6J

— Myles Jury (@FuryJury) June 4, 2016

🏆RIP one of the Greatest combat athletes to walk the planet!

A photo posted by Urijah Faber (@urijahfaber) on Jun 3, 2016 at 10:52pm PDT

Hoje estamos de LUTO #muhammad

A photo posted by Fabricio Werdum (@werdum) on Jun 3, 2016 at 10:12pm PDT

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