As stunning as Ronda Rousey's shock defeat to Holly Holm in UFC 193, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has taken the high road and showed support for the fallen UFC champion.

In a sudden and surprising twist in the Mayweather vs Rousey rift, the undefeated American did not jump on the opportunity to criticise the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion.

Instead, Mayweather Jr. asked the online bashers to leave Rousey alone and even had words of encouragement for Rousey, who suffered a disappointing and stunning defeat to unheralded underdog Holm in a fight held in Melbourne, Australia last Sunday.

"I don't think it's cool how everyone is trolling her on social media. Certain things you have to learn. People will love you on Friday and then Sunday morning, it's nothing but negative comments and people making jokes and people making fun about you, which I don't think is cool,” Mayweather told Fight Hype.

Rousey is inarguably the most popular mixed martial arts fighter in this generation of the UFC scene and her popularity has crossed-over to Mayweather’s sport, boxing, and to the mainstream sports. However, the same hype has cost her endless online bashing after her recent loss, the first in her storied UFC career.

Holm defeated Rousey via a second round knockout in their UFC bantamweight title fight. Holm dominated the first round with effective counters and ended the fight via an equally effective left kick to Rousey’s neck and head that sent the previously undefeated fighter to the ground. Rousey never got up and Holm not only earned the UFC bantamweight title but also the admiration of sports fans.

The Mayweather vs Rousey drama has been in existence ever since both sides threw shades at each other in recent months. In one of the first interviews where Mayweather Jr. was asked about Rousey, the American boxer sarcastically responded that he did not know the fighter, despite her growing popularity. Rousey fired back multiple times calling out Mayweather Jr. about his involvement past domestic violence issues.

Recently retired from the sport of boxing, Mayweather appears to choose not to indulge further and instead show support for the former champion, who is struggling with her first defeat.

"I've never been on the other side, so I don't know how it feels. I'm pretty sure she's a very, very strong person, but we still have to take into consideration that she has feelings,” Mayweather added in the interview.

Rousey is expected to return to the Octagon and perhaps take on Holm in a rematch in the near future.

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