Fellow ex-champ Anderson Silva has encouraging words for Ronda Rousey

Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva knows a little something about reaching unparalleled heights in the sport – only to watch it all come crashing down.

So perhaps the former UFC middleweight champion’s words of encouragement will stick with Ronda Rousey, who lost her belt this past weekend at UFC 193.

In Saturday’s pay-per-view headliner at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), suffered a second-round knockout loss to Holly Holm (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC).

Rousey was a substantial favorite heading into the bout, where she looked to claim her seventh consecutive women’s bantamweight title defense. The embarrassing loss was reminiscent of the ones Silva, who holds the record for most consecutive UFC title defenses (10), suffered to Chris Weidman at the end of his title reign.

Silva, who’s currently serving a one-year suspension after failing a drug test earlier this year due to multiple banned substances, posted a picture of Rousey on Instagram with an encouraging message. The Brazilian said the “biggest glory” doesn’t come from never failing, but standing back up “after each fall.”

“You are a great champion of life and (an inspiration) for all world,” he wrote.

From Silva’s Instagram account:

RONDA ROUSEY Our biggest glory doesnt lives in the fact of never fall down, But In the fact of we always stand up after each fall. With determination, You will over come this bad time. I know very well how It is. You are a great athlet and transcend the MMA world. My kids love You. So, dont forget: To fall Makes us strongerTo stand up. You deserve the best of this world. Nobody is forever. All of us lost And To lose make us stronger. So, I wish You peace And lots of patience. Hold this experience with inteligence And dont blame yourself. You had a big lesson Of this Sport. With class You will transform this hapeness In something better To your Personal And professional life, because the world was made for people like You, a winner. Stand up your head, girl. You are a great champion of life And a inpiration for all world. Dont forget, we Love You! ??????????

A photo posted by Anderson Silva (@spiderandersonsilva) on Nov 15, 2015 at 1:14pm PST

The full text:

Our biggest glory doesnt lives in the fact of never fall down, But In the fact of we always stand up after each fall. With determination, You will over come this bad time. I know very well how It is. You are a great athlet and transcend the MMA world. My kids love You. So, dont forget: To fall Makes us strongerTo stand up. You deserve the best of this world. Nobody is forever. All of us lost And To lose make us stronger. So, I wish You peace And lots of patience. Hold this experience with inteligence And dont blame yourself. You had a big lesson Of this Sport. With class You will transform this hapeness In something better To your Personal And professional life, because the world was made for people like You, a winner. Stand up your head, girl. You are a great champion of life And a inpiration for all world. Dont forget, we Love You!

For complete coverage of UFC 193, check out the UFC Events section of the site.