Francis Ngannou's 15-month-old son dies; ex-UFC champ expresses heartbreak on social media
Francis Ngannou's coach, Eric Nicksick of Xtreme Couture, asked that fans "please keep Francis and his family in your heart."
Editor’s note: This story was updated to accurately reflect Ngannou’s son’s age after Ngannou posted a statement on social media.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou’s 15-month-old son, Kobe, has died.
News of the tragedy was first reported Monday by Cameroonian outlet 237online.com and subsequently reported by Sportsnet’s Aaron Bronsteter.
Ngannou first seemed to confirm the death of his son in a cryptic post on X, asking “Why is life so unfair and merciless?”
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 fucking tired— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) April 29, 2024
Ngannou later posted a heartbreaking statement on X.
“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,” Ngannou wrote. “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 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.”
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) April 29, 2024
Ngannou’s coach, Eric Nicksick of Xtreme Couture, quoted Ngannou’s X post and asked that fans “please keep Francis and his family in your heart.”
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.
https://t.co/V6QVzbXKVi
— Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) April 29, 2024
The circumstances of Ngannou’s son’s death are unknown at this time.
Ngannou, 37, is coming off a second-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in his second professional boxing match on March 8. Ngannou, who is signed to the PFL, has remained mum on his future in boxing and MMA since the defeat.