LeBron James speaks onstage during the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Ceremony 2016 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on December 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images/Slaven Vlasic)
When it comes to losing and being criticized, LeBron James knows it all. That is why it is not shocking that he is offering support for former Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey who suffered a stunning 48-second knockout loss against Amanda Nunes in their title fight in at UFC 207 on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas.
Rousey was a subject of ridicule by Nunes following her loss when the Brazilian champ, who defended her bantamweight belt, said that people should forget "Rowdy" and that Rousey would already retire and would just continue her career in Hollywood. It did not take long for James, who spoke to the Akron Beacon Journal, to side with Rousey saying that "build you up as high as they can, put you on the highest mountain in the world, just to tear you down."
It can be noted that James was also subject of criticism when he changed teams in pursuit of a National Basketball Association championship. 'The King' had been with the Cavaliers for eight years before going in Miami in what is famously called "The Decision." James already won two championships with the Heat but critics keep berating him for needing Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami to win the title. He shut down critics when he came back to Cleveland in 2014 before ultimately winning the Cavaliers' first championship in 2016.
Other former champs in Kobe Bryant and Jon Jones offered words of encouragement from Rousey as they also faced criticism after the height of their careers. Bryant said that people should laud Rousey for putting the women's UFC division on the map of sports while Jones said that she should not give up and give her career another try.
Should Rousey continue with her mixed martial arts career, which she said is nearing its end, a fight against Cris 'Cyborg' Justino could happen as both of them are two of the most sought-after fighters and it would mean massive revenue for the UFC, Mail Online reported.
Here is a video of James saying he is intimidated of Rousey:
