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PIC: The Rock was very impressed by Conor McGregor’s classy tribute to Jose Aldo

Published 12:51 18 Dec 2015 GMT

Updated 13:31 18 Dec 2015 GMT

PIC: The Rock was very impressed by Conor McGregor’s classy tribute to Jose Aldo

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Well said.

There’s no doubting that Conor McGregor talks a good game in the run-up to big fights and that his statements are clearly designed to mess with his opponents' heads before they step into the Octagon. The Notorious has proved himself to be very classy in victory following his two most recent successes, however, and while Jose Aldo took plenty of stick for the manner of his defeat to McGregor on Saturday night, the man himself wasn’t about to stick the knife in. Plenty were impressed by McGregor’s show of humility, not least The Rock, who took to Instagram last night to pay tribute to what he described as “one of the classiest messages and show of respect for his opponent I've seen from a champion”.

One of the classiest messages and show of respect for his opponent I've seen from a champion. Congrats @thenotoriousmma. You're on your way to becoming an icon. #Respect ・・・ Thank you for all the kind messages! I am extremely grateful and proud to be in the position I am in. To the naked eye it was 13 seconds, but to my team and my family it has been a lifetime of work to get to that 13 seconds. Congratulations to the staff at the UFC on a historic week in the sports history and an amazing 2015 for the company. It is an honor to be playing a part in this great companies continued growth and success and an honor to top off a phenomenal week in the sports history. Thank you to all the fans who travelled and made this week what it was!! The traveling Irish are untouchable when it comes to creating the atmosphere needed to make a week like this what it was!! I am forever blown away by the support of my country. We have changed the game forever!!! Respect to a great champion in Jose Aldo. The true greats will always overcome adversity. I wish him and his loyal team well on their journey back. Much respect. Thank you all!!!

A photo posted by therock (@therock) on Dec 17, 2015 at 8:24pm PST

In the next sentence, he said that McGregor was well on his way to “becoming an icon” and it’s hard to disagree with either sentiment. Well put.