Francis Ngannou Breaks Down Sharing Heartbreaking Story: ‘I Don’t Know The Purpose Of Fighting Anymore. I Don’t Know How To Deal With This!’ | HO

Francis Ngannou is a martial artist, professional boxer, and Lineal Combat Sports Heavyweight World Champion. He became UFC Heavyweight Champion in 2021 and holds an MMA record of 17 wins and 12 victories by knockout.

In a heart-wrenching moment, MMA star Francis Ngannou opened up about the unimaginable grief of losing his 15-month-old son, Kobe. The former UFC heavyweight champion, who is set to make his PFL debut on October 19 against knockout artist Renan Ferreira, recently sat down with Steven Bartlett on “The Diary of a CEO” podcast.

What was meant to be a discussion about his career and journey quickly turned emotional when Bartlett asked about how Ngannou was coping with the loss of his son.

Tears welled up in Ngannou’s eyes as he spoke of the profound impact Kobe’s passing has had on him. “That is something that I never really imagined, and all of a sudden, nothing really matters,” Ngannou confessed, his voice heavy with sorrow. “I’m surviving, but I’ll never be the same. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.”

Ngannou admitted that he struggles daily with the loss, questioning his ability to cope with life’s challenges. “There’s some days that you wake up, think about everything, and are like, ‘What’s the purpose? What’s the point of fighting if I can’t fight for the only person I can fight for?'” he shared, his words cutting through the silence with raw honesty.

It’s a recurring theme for Ngannou

As emotions overcame him, Ngannou requested to change the subject, wiping tears from his face. Bartlett respectfully obliged, but the weight of the conversation lingered in the air.

This isn’t the first time Ngannou has opened up about his grief. On Joe Rogan’s podcast, he recounted the last time he saw Kobe in Cameroon. “He was my buddy, he didn’t want me to leave him,” Ngannou recalled, his voice breaking.

“The day I was leaving, he was crying like he wanted to come with me, but I kept going… I had no clue that was it. I should have gone back one more time, spent one more day, hugged him one more time,” the new PFL strongman lamented.

A different kind of fight

Ngannou, who has fought the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in his professional boxing career, now faces a new kind of battle-one that has changed his perspective on life and death.

“You have things to be grateful for, but in your heart, you feel broken, like you have nothing. Nothing is worth it,” he said, reflecting on the emptiness left by Kobe’s absence.

As he prepares to step back into the spotlight, Ngannou carries the memory of his son with him, a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the depths of a father’s love.

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