Mayweather denies urging 50 Cent to make fun of Ronda Rousey

In the wake of UFC 193's massive women's bantamweight upset, there has been a sharp division of response towards Ronda Rousey via social media. Fighters, fans, celebrities, and athletes from outside the mixed martial arts community have weighed in either with support of the former champion, or to take potshots at her. Whether deserved or not, the backlash has been brutal.

One of the more interesting comments to emerge has been an Instagram post made by rap star 50 Cent, who stated that his barb was at the urging of longtime friend and iconic boxing champion, Floyd Mayweather. It features a scene from Rocky IV where Rocky Balboa holds a dying Apollo Creed, only Rousey has been photo-shopped in Creed's place. The caption reads:

"LMAO FLOYD TOLD ME TO POST THIS (grinning emoticon). He want me to do the dirty work (crying emoticon) #EFFENVODKA #FRIGO #SMSAUDIO"

Tweet courtesy of Bleacher Report:

50 Cent gives Ronda Rousey the Apollo Creed treatment because Floyd Mayweather told him to: https://t.co/VqpyKBulEK pic.twitter.com/xer2khVP0z

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 16, 2015

What makes this particular tweet interesting is that Mayweather is denying that he encouraged 50 to make the tweet, and has further gone on record in support of Rousey. Floyd spoke directly to Ben Thompson of Fight Hype, and had this to say:

"That's not true at all. I haven't really spoke to anyone about the Ronda Rousey situation, just to set the record straight.

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."

What do you think? Was Mayweather an accomplice in Instagate?