Francis Ngannou’s 15-month-old son dies as McGregor offers support | UFC | Sport
UFC and boxing heavyweight superstar Francis Ngannou has revealed the tragic news of the passing of his 15-month-old son. The Cameroonian fighter informed his followers of his boy’s passing in an emotional post on social media – as fellow fighters including Conor McGregor rallied around him in support.
The 37-year-old former UFC world champion took to X to post a message which demonstrated his despondent nature. He said: “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****** tired.”
The UFC legend McGregor soon replied to the message from his peer as he issued support to his fellow fighter after hearing the news of Ngannou’s son’s death. He said: “I am so sorry to hear of your loss Francis, my prayers are with you and your family at this time.”
Ngannou has also posted a message on Instagram: “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. 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 clude (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.”
Reports first emerged in Nigeria on Monday that Ngannou’s son had passed. The fighter, who grew up in the village of Batie, is one of four children.
MMA champion Chris Cyborg replied to Ngannou’s heartbreaking message saying: “Dear lord, I pray you comfort Francis and his family. Surround him with your love and ensure he is protected by your guidance as he grieves this loss. Give him the strength to know that heaven is eternal and they will be together soon as this life is just a blink of an eye.”
Ngannou’s coach Eric Nicksick appealed for privacy for his client, saying: “It’s been a heavy few days, words can’t express the pain we all feel for the Ngannou family during this time. Please keep Francis and his family in your heart, and may this be a reminder of the fragility of life. Say ‘I love you,’ more often, tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.”
The Cameroonian’s inspring backstory has endeared him to the masses in recent years, with his combat sports career having started in a gym in Paris at the age of 26. He spoke of his desire to inspire the next generation through his heroics as a fighter too after becoming a world heavyweight champion in the UFC.
He said: “I want to give some opportunity for children like me who dream of this sport and don’t have an opportunity like me. The last time I was in Cameroon, I brought a lot of materials for boxing and MMA to open a gym. Now I just bought a big space to start the gym, as well.
“A lot of children now in Cameroon, because of me, they have a dream. They say, ‘I will be a champion in MMA. I will do boxing like Francis,’ because they saw me when I was young. I didn’t have anything. I didn’t have any opportunity. And today, they see me, and they are dreaming.
Ngannou added: “They are thinking that something is possible. Even when they are so poor, something is possible in life… It’s not easy. It’s so hard, but it’s possible.”