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The UFC president gave his thoughts on the recent passing of Kobe Bryant and revealed that the former NBA superstar was also a recent investor in the MMA promotion.
The recent death of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant has rocked not just the basketball world, but people all across the globe have been shocked by the news of his sudden and tragic passing. Some of those most deeply affected have been the athletes who took inspiration from Bryant’s career and famed work ethic.
“I’ve never looked up to any other athlete but Kobe Bryant,” UFC 247 headliner Dominick Reyes recently revealed, speaking to ESPN. “Kobe’s mentality of ‘nobody is gonna believe in you but you’ — I’ve used that throughout my life. I made it to my university, I’m here on that philosophy. Nobody is gonna believe in you but you. Nobody is gonna work for you. Work when the lights are off, work when nobody is looking. That’s what matters. That’s what makes you a champion. Winning is everything. Oh, man. All of that is a huge part of why I’m here today.”
And while Bryant’s life and legacy clearly have meant a lot to Reyes – in a recent interview with TMZ – UFC President Dana White revealed that Bryant was also involved with the MMA promotion on a more personal level, as an investor. As such, White told the outlet, the UFC is planning a tribute for Bryant during their upcoming PPV card.
“This is the first fight since it happened, and yes, we’re gonna do something for Kobe,” White said. “Look at Kobe the basketball player, right? Then the guy won an Oscar, and all the other things that his guy has accomplished in his life. Well, also, he was one of the big investors in Body Armor, the company that’s a sponsor of the UFC. He was also an investor in the UFC. And the UFC killed it last year. I mean 2019.”
“When I say 2019 was our best year,” White went on to reveal. “Other years [holds hand low], 2019’s through the roof. It was massive. So, the owners got a distribution.
“And Kobe got a distribution from the UFC the Wednesday before the incident. And he was so pumped up and so excited. And he said what everybody always says, ‘I wish I’d invested more.’ But, he was a great dude, he was a part of this company. Just, Kobe Bryant was a good guy in every way you could possibly be a good guy.”
UFC 247 takes place at the Toyota Center, in Houston, TX. The event will be headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between Dominick Reyes and Jon Jones. A women’s strawweight title fight, between Valentina Shevchenko and Katlyn Chookagian is set for the co-main event.