TORONTO – Ronda Rousey was the victim of heavy criticism following her knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November. NBA superstar Kobe Bryant wasn’t one of the people that kicked her when she was down.

In fact, Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star and five-time NBA champion for the Los Angeles Lakers, said he personally reached out to Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) after the stunning second-round knockout loss to Holm (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), which marked the first defeat in her career.

Prior to the defeat, Rousey made bold claims that she would retire undefeated and dispatch of all comers. When that didn’t happen, many people piled on, from the likes of Lady Gaga to Donald Trump and more.

Bryant, however, did the opposite. He said he contacted Rousey after the lopsided contest and provided her with an uplifting message.

“I sent her several messages, so yes, we have touched base,” Bryant told USA TODAY Sports. “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.”

Rousey has remained somewhat quiet since the defeat several months ago. She recently hosted an edition of Saturday Night Live and her immediate future includes several Hollywood filming obligations.

“Rowdy” will get back in the octagon again, though. UFC President Dana White said she intends to compete before the end of the year, likely against the winner of next month’s UFC 196 title bout between Holm and challenger Miesha Tate.

Bryant said he’s eager to see Rousey rebound from the career low point. All athletes go through trying moments, and Bryant has experienced plenty of them during his 19-year NBA career. He said the most important part of every valley is the return to a peak, and Bryant has every bit of confidence Rousey will get back on top.

“I think the true mark of a champion is how you get up from that,” Bryant said. “If she goes through her entire career undefeated, she becomes this mythical figure that nobody can relate to. She got beat. We all get beat at some point or another in our lives. Now it’s a matter of how she bounces back from that. I think that’s what makes her a true champion.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.