Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has opened up about the devastating loss of his 15-month-old son Kobe earlier this year. The tragedy left him feeling “powerless and vulnerable”, but he plans to use his pain as motivation in his next fight against Renan 'Problema' Ferreira on October 19.
Ngannou's announcement of his son's death in April was met with an outpouring of condolences from the mixed martial arts and boxing communities. Despite his grief, the 37-year-old has decided to return to the MMA ring, with the main goal of honoring the memory of his late son rather than seeking personal accolades.
Ngannou shared his feelings of loss and despair, stating: “The last few months have not been the easiest. I think it has been by far the most difficult time of my life. I lost my son. For a while, I felt like I didn't even have to do this or ask myself if I should do it or fight again. But I want to do something good in his memory.”
He further expressed his struggle with the fragility of life and the overwhelming sense of pain, saying, “You see how fragile life is. You feel hurt, you feel helpless. You feel worthless. You wonder about your existence, about the importance of all this or about life in general.
Despite his emotional turmoil, Ngannou is determined to fight in his son's memory, calling it his “biggest motivation” and purpose. After a surprising switch to boxing, where he faced Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou has returned to the familiar cage of MMA, where he feels most comfortable.
The upcoming fight against Ferreira is not only a return to the ring for Ngannou, but also an opportunity to remind the world of his prowess as a fighter. He said, “I think this fight might be a reminder of who I am.” The event will also feature a featherweight superfight between Cris Cyborg and two-division PFL champion Larissa Pacheco.
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