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08th Mar 2016

VIDEO: Conor McGregor gets LeBron James’ backing after UFC 196 defeat

Tom Victor

LeBron James has already marked himself out as a big UFC fan.

The basketball star admitted wanting to meet Ronda Rousey at the ESPY awards last year, but being afraid that she’d “kick his butt”.

He has also taken inspiration from Conor McGregor in the past, so it’s no surprise to see the Cleveland Cavaliers star offering ‘The Notorious’ his backing after the Irishman’s shock UFC 196 defeat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAxAc8LiTLl/

Speaking after Nate Diaz secured a surprise second-round submission, James told Fox Sports: “Champions take lumps all the time.”

“It doesn’t make you less of a champion because you take an ‘L’,” James added, explaining what matters most is how you react to defeat.

“I think he’s as strong as who he was before that… Probably the greatest champion ever in Muhammad Ali went down before. So, it doesn’t matter.”