Former UFC Champion Francis Ngannou Mourns Tragic Loss of Infant Son

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has been grappling with a heartbreaking personal tragedy following the sudden death of his 15-month-old son, Kobe. In an emotional interview, Ngannou opened up about his son’s untimely passing due to a brain malformation that went undiagnosed despite multiple medical consultations in Cameroon and Saudi Arabia.

“He has some malformation on his brain, which is something that we didn’t know,” Ngannou revealed. The child’s condition initially baffled doctors, who suspected asthma and treated him with a ventilator, which was later deemed unnecessary. Ngannou recounted the hurdles in diagnosis and treatment, expressing initial hope when Kobe began receiving medical attention.

The former champion detailed a poignant moment while training, when an urgent instinct to contact his family led him to discover that his son had lost consciousness and subsequently passed away. “He said, ‘Bro, things are not going well here.’ I’m like, ‘What is it?’ [He said,] ‘Kobe, he passed out; he’s not breathing. We are at the hospital, they kicked me out from the room.'” Ngannou recounted.

Despite his personal turmoil, Ngannou is set to make his return to MMA in a bout against Brazilian fighter Renan Ferreira at the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants, held at the Mayadeen in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Weighing in on Friday, Ngannou showcased a new tattoo featuring his late son’s name and a bird in flight—an homage to Kobe that resonated deeply with fans and followers.

While Ngannou has faced significant professional success, including lucrative boxing bouts with Tyson Fury, he is now channeling his grief into performance, hoping to honor his son’s memory through his dedication to the sport. “The best way to pay tribute to him, to honor him, is to do something positive,” Ngannou stated. “To keep staying active because that’s the best way to pay tribute to him instead of just quit because, if I stop fighting, that would have been like quit.”