Last night, in the main event of UFC 212, featherweight great Jose Aldo gave up an early lead to succumb to third-round punches dealt by interim featherweight champion Max Holloway. It was a heartbreaking loss for Jose Aldo and his fans, and one that will be difficult to forget.

In the wake of Aldo’s tough loss to Holloway, former UFC middleweight champion and bona fide MMA legend Anderson Silva took to Instagram to console his fellow Brazilian and long-time friend.

Here’s what Anderson Silva had to say about Jose Aldo and his UFC 212 loss to Max Holloway:

“My brother,
You are much bigger than any battle, your story gives us the full assurance that you are a great hero, a great champion, I am and I will always be your fan, brother. What you have most precious goes far beyond. Of course we were all rooting for you and for your victory, but do not cover yourself or let anyone charge you brother, because you are fantastic in what you do and do with love and with your heart, do not forget who you are and how much You make a difference in this sport, you have changed the lives of many people, you are cause for victory and overcoming by the example that has become, always keep your head up God is always in control. You are a great champion, no one can take this story from you, no one; Battle is won and other losses, but never war. You are a giant, did not come to this world by chance you are Ze Aldo. Our Ze Aldo. Do not forget brother, GOD bless you always warrior.
“That is what we are to the end of our days, and those like us my friend, very few.”

See Silva’s post below:

Meu irmão. Você é muito maior de que qualquer batalha, a sua história nos da a plena certeza de que você é um grande herói, um grande campeão, sou e sempre serei seu fã meu irmão. O que você tem de mais precioso vai muito além. Lógico que estávamos todos torcendo por você e pela sua vitória, mais não se cobre e nem deixe ninguém cobrar de você irmão, pois você é fantástico no que faz e faz com amor e com seu coração, não esqueça de quem você é e o quanto você faz a diferença nesse esporte, você mudou a vida de muita gente, você é motivo de vitória e de superação pelo exemplo que se tornou, mantenha sempre a cabeça erguida DEUS está no controle sempre. Você é um grande campeão, ninguém pode tirar essa história de você, ninguém; batalha são ganhas e outras perdidas, mas a guerra nunca. Você é um gigante, não veio a este mundo por acaso você é Ze Aldo. Nosso Ze Aldo. Não esqueça irmão, DEUS te abençoe sempre guerreiro . “Isso é o que somos até o fim dos nossos dias, anos e aqueles como nós meu amigo, muito poucos.” . My brother. You are much bigger than any battle, your story gives us the full assurance that you are a great hero, a great champion, I am and I will always be your fan, brother. What you have most precious goes far beyond. Of course we were all rooting for you and for your victory, but do not cover yourself or let anyone charge you brother, because you are fantastic in what you do and do with love and with your heart, do not forget who you are and how much You make a difference in this sport, you have changed the lives of many people, you are cause for victory and overcoming by the example that has become, always keep your head up God is always in control. You are a great champion, no one can take this story from you, no one; Battle is won and other losses, but never war. You are a giant, did not come to this world by chance you are Ze Aldo. Our Ze Aldo. Do not forget brother, GOD bless you always warrior. “That is what we are to the end of our days, and those like us my friend, very few.”

A post shared by Anderson “The Spider” Silva (@spiderandersonsilva) on Jun 4, 2017 at 4:52am PDT

What do you think of these comments from Anderson Silva? Were you surprised by Jose Aldo’s loss?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 6/4/2017.