NEW YORK – Former UFC heavyweight champion and professional boxer Francis Ngannou announced Monday that his 15-month-old son, Kobe, has died.
Ngannou, who is currently in his home country of Cameroon, paid tribute to the boy, who he said passed away on Saturday.
“It’s too early to leave, but he’s gone. My little boy, my partner, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy,” he wrote on Instagram. “Now, he is lying lifeless. I shouted his name several times, but he didn’t respond.”
“I did my best alongside him and now I have no idea who I am,” he continued. “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.”
Ngannou did not reveal the cause of his son’s death.
“What is the purpose of life if what we are fighting tooth and nail to escape is what finally hits us the hardest!?” he wrote in a post on X. “Why is life so unfair and unforgiving? Why does life always take what we don’t have? I’m too tired.”
Irish fighter Conor McGregor offered his condolences in response.
“I am so sorry to hear of your loss Francis, my prayers are with you and your family at this time,” McGregor wrote.
Ngannou began fighting mixed martial arts at age 20, after immigrating to Europe. He won the UFC heavyweight title in 2021 after defeating Stipe Miocic. He left the UFC to pursue boxing and lost to heavyweight champion Tyson Fury last October by split decision. He has not announced whether his next fight will be boxing or MMA.
He signed with the Professional Fighters League last year.
