Kobe Bryant reached out to Ronda Rousey after her KO loss

Kobe Bryant reached out to Ronda Rousey with some advice following the UFC star’s loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November.

Kobe Bryant reached out to Ronda Rousey with some advice following the UFC star’s loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November.

The five-time NBA champion told reporters on Saturday that he spoke with the former Bantamweight champion after her first career defeat to let her know it did not define her legacy.

"I sent her several messages, so yes, we have touched base," Bryant said. "That's what it's about. It's not about how you win. A true champion is about how you lose and come back from that.

"I told her, 'It's a beautiful thing.' That's what I told her. I said, 'To be a true champion sometimes you have to get knocked down.' It happens to the best of us. It happened with my Achilles (when I tore it), (Muhammad) Ali got put down several times – it happens to the best of us."

• Watch: NBA Stars laud Kobe ahead of his All-Star finale

Rousey was recently spotted at a gym for the first time since the defeat. The UFC has announced Rousey will take on the winner of Holm’s fight against top contender Miesha Tate on March 5 at UFC 196.

– Brendan Maloy