Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is dealing with a family tragedy.
A Cameroonian news outlet reported on Monday that Ngannou’s 15-month old son Kobe has died. Ngannou later confirmed the news in a heartbreaking post on social media.
The post indicated that the boy was born in January 2023 and died on Saturday.
“Too soon to leave but yet he’s gone. My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy. Now, he’s laying without life,” Ngannou wrote. “I shouted his name over and over but he’s not responding.
“I was my best self next to him and now I have no clue of who I am. Life is so unfair to hit us where it hurts the most.
“How do you deal with such a thing? How can you live with it? Please help me if you have an idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this.”
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) April 29, 2024
Ngannou also shared an emotional post a few hours before confirming that his son has died.
“What’s the purpose of life if what we’re fighting tooth and nail to get away from is what finally hit us the hardest!? Why is life so unfair and merciless? Why does life always take what we don’t have? I’m f—ing tired,” Ngannou wrote (edited by LBS for profanity).
Ngannou, 37, was 17-3 in his MMA career before he ventured into boxing last year. He made his debut in October 2023 against Tyson Fury and stunned the fighting world by nearly beating the heavyweight champion. Ngannou then fought Anthony Joshua last month and fell victim to a vicious knockout (video here).
It is unclear if Ngannou plans to fight again in either boxing or MMA.
