Francis Ngannou’s 15-month-old son dies; ex-UFC champ expresses heartbreak on social media

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?”

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.”

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.”

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.

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie