Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou shared some incredibly unfortunate news on Monday that shook the MMA world in the worst way.
On social media, Ngannou shared that his 15-month-old son, Kobe, unfortunately passed away over the weekend.
“Too soon to leave by yet he’s gone,” wrote Ngannou in a statement. 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’d 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
Just those words alone from Ngannou are absolutely heartbreaking to hear his thought process as he grieves this tremendous loss. And naturally, many of the biggest figures in the MMA world took to social media to offer their condolences to Ngannou.
Absolutely gutted reading this Francis! I can only imagine the pain you are in right now I am so sorry hearing this news. I pray God has the best and safest place in heaven for him, until you meet again 🙏❤️
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 29, 2024
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.
I…
— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) April 29, 2024
God Bless you brother I can’t even imagine. https://t.co/WI5RZS2RFZ
— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) April 29, 2024
This is one of the most heart breaking things I’ve ever read in my life.
So gutted for Francis 😢 https://t.co/ubWSBsuThH
— True Geordie (@TrueGeordieTG) April 29, 2024
Dear Francis, there is no formula to deal with the mysteries of life. WBC family pray for the eternal peace of your son and for God to embrace you and your family during this tragic times. Cry champ don’t hold anything , you will receive beautiful inspiration from Kobe forever https://t.co/lUQIz6Sw0B
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) April 29, 2024
Ngannou is perhaps best known for his run in the UFC, famously defeating Stipe Miocic in 2021 to win the UFC heavyweight championship. He has since left the promotion, joining the Professional Fighters League, and has even tried his hand at boxing recently against the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
We currently don’t have any information as to how or what could have caused Kobe Ngannou’s death. But hopefully Francis Ngannou finds some peace in the fact that the entirety of the MMA community is behind him in this difficult time.
