Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou announced the death of his 15-month-old son Kobe on Monday.
Ngannou made the announcement on social media, confirming previous reports.
“It’s too early to leave, but he’s gone,” Ngannou wrote. “My little boy, my partner, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy.
“I was my best next to him and now I don’t have [clue] of who I am. Life is so unfair to hit us where it hurts most.
“How do you deal with something like that? How can you live with this? Please help me if you have an idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this.”
The circumstances of Kobe’s death are unclear.
Ngannou made the announcement after making a social media post on Monday alluding to his son’s death. His coach, Eric Nicksick, responded to that post by asking his followers to keep Ngannou and his family “in their hearts.”
It has been a difficult few days, words cannot express the pain we all feel for the Ngannou family during this period. Please keep Francisco and his family in your heart, and may this be a reminder of the fragility of life. Say “I love you” more often, tomorrow is not guaranteed. https://t.co/V6QVzbXKVi
-Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) April 29, 2024
Ngannou, 37, spent six years as a UFC fighter from 2015 to 2021, compiling a 17-3 record. He knocked out Stipe Miocic for an impressive victory at UFC 260 in 2021 and won the UFC heavyweight title. He successfully defended the belt with a unanimous decision over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. Ngannou did not sign a new UFC contract after defeating Gane and has not fought in the Octagon since.
Since then, Ngannou has fought as a boxer and caused a sensation in a loss to WBC and lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in October. Ngannou lost the fight via split decision, but knocked down Fury and challenged the champion as an inexperienced boxer and 14-1 underdog making his professional debut. He lost by knockout to former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in March.
Born in Cameroon, Ngannou rose from childhood poverty to the heights of MMA and success in the boxing world. He hasn’t competed since facing Joshua in March.
