PIC: Jose Aldo finds comfort in the embrace of a former rival as Chad Mendes offers respect

For those who believe that MMA is nothing more than two barbarians battering each other into submission without acknowledgement for the other's well-being, just take a look at this.

Never has a photograph summed up the universal respect felt between mixed martial artists. Jose Aldo will be nursing a broken heart for some time after he saw his UFC featherweight title, the belt he held since 2010, ripped away from him by Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 194 but he managed to find some kind words in the form of a previous opponent. Aldo has beaten Chad Mendes on two occasions, once via KO and the more recent via unanimous decision, and there was undeniable tension between the pair in the run-up to their second meeting.

Everything that quells the heartache of this sport. Tearful. Mendes embraces Aldo after last nights fight. #know pic.twitter.com/58IBrynlPV

— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) December 13, 2015

But all bad blood has since dissipated and Mendes was only too happy to offer a comforting embrace to Aldo after the Saturday night event which concluded with Aldo unconscious within just 13 seconds. Mendes himself was knocked out by Frankie Edgar just 24 hours prior to UFC 194 so he will have been hurting too and it's just heartwarming to see two former rivals offer one another unconditional support in their times of need.