Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou announced the loss of his young son, Kobe.
“Too soon to leave but yet he’s gone. My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy” Ngannou wrote on Monday on X.
“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 clue of who I am. Life is so unfair to hit us where it hurts the most.”
The cause of death has not been revealed.
Kobe was born on January 13, 2023 and died this past Saturday, Ngannou’s post said.
“How do you deal with such a thing? How can you live with it?” he asked.
“Please help me if you have an idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this.”
Ngannou continued to mourn on Monday.
“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!?” he wrote in a separate post on X. “Why is life so unfair and merciless? Why does life always take what we don’t have? I’m f–king tired
The MMA community has supported Ngannou in mourning his loss.
“I am so sorry to hear of your loss Francis, my prayers are with you and your family at this time,” former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor wrote on X in response to Ngannou’s announcement.
Former UFC women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg offered a prayer.
“Dear lord, I pray you comfort Francis and his family,” she wrote.
“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 had a record of 17-3-0 in UFC.
He defeated Stipe Miocic via TKO for the heavyweight championship at UFC 260 in March of 2021.
He left UFC in 2023 as the two sides were unable to come to contract terms.
Ngannou lost a boxing match to Anthony Joshua earlier this year.
Ngannou signed with UFC rival Professional Fighters League (PFL) last year.
He has been slated to fight Renan Ferreira at a date still to be determined.
