Ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou mourns 15-month-old son’s death

Former UFC heavyweight champion {and professional} boxer Francis Ngannou publicly mourned the dying of his 15-month-old son on Monday.

Ngannou, 37, wrote a tribute to his son, Kobe, on all of his social media platforms after the information broke in his house nation of Cameroon. Ngannou is at the moment in Cameroon along with his household, sources mentioned.

The tribute learn: “Too quickly to depart however but he is gone. My little boy, my mate, my accomplice Kobe was energetic and pleasure. Now, he is laying with out life. I shouted his title again and again however he is not responding. I used to be my greatest self subsequent to him and now I’ve no clue of who I’m. Life is so unfair to hit us the place it hurts probably the most. How do you take care of such a factor? How will you reside with it? Please assist me in case you have an thought as a result of I actually do not know what to do and the best way to take care of this.”

Ngannou has one of the distinctive tales in fight sports activities historical past. He immigrated to Europe from Africa in his 20s and shortly rose to prominence in heavyweight combined martial arts. He received the UFC championship in 2021 by knocking out arguably the best heavyweight of all time in Stipe Miocic and defended the belt as soon as earlier than combating out of his contract and leaving the UFC in pursuit of a deal that may permit him to field professionally.

He realized his dream of competing in boxing when he fought lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury final October. Ngannou misplaced to Fury through cut up determination in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, however shocked the sports activities world by taking Fury to the brink of defeat and knocking him down within the third spherical. Ngannou suffered a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in his second boxing look in March.

Ngannou has an unique MMA take care of PFL however has not but made his debut. He has not but introduced whether or not his subsequent combat will happen in boxing or MMA.

Members of his group, in addition to different fighters and promoters from round fight sports activities, expressed their condolences on Monday. UFC star Conor McGregor wrote, “I’m so sorry to listen to of your loss Francis, my prayers are with you and your loved ones presently.”