How Did Francis Ngannou’s Son Die? All We Know So Far About 15-Month-Old Kobe’s Death

Former UFC fighter, Francis Ngannou is facing one of the most devastating episodes of his life. The MMA and boxing sensation has sadly lost his 15-month-old boy, Kobe Ngannou. The former heavyweight champion took to his social media to announce the grim news that shook the fighting community.

In an update on Monday, ‘The Predator’ wrote on X, “…Why is life so unfair and merciless? Why does life always take what we don’t have? I’m f***ing tired.” This cryptic tweet left many puzzled until the former UFC champion followed up with the devastating news from his family.

What happened to Francis Ngannou’s son?

Things were looking great for Francis Ngannou after he left the UFC. The 37-year-old made a lucrative deal with the PFL and had entered into the boxing scene as well. He fought top names such as Tyson Fury and Anthony Johusa within a year, earning substantial paychecks both times. Everything seemed to be working well for the former heavyweight champion. But his son’s unexpected death left him in shock.

Ngannou dropped the news of his infant son’s death via his social media. After breaking the tragic news, he took to his X handle to ask for help from the world to cope with the pain. “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. 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 whee it hurts the most,” wrote Ngannou.

He further added, “How do you deal with such a thing? How can you live with it? Please help me if you have any idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this.”

Although there were no updates on the reason behind the tragic passing of Ngannou’s baby boy, who was reportedly born in January last year, months later while in conversation with Joe Rogan on the Joe Rogan Podcast, Ngannou bore his heart out. The ex-champ revealed a heart-wrenching ordeal wherein Kobe might have suffered from mild brain inflammation, that led him to faint twice while in Cameroon. Thereafter, another incident happened while they were in Saudi Arabia, and Kobe couldn’t breathe properly. The doctors suspected a case of swollen lungs but failed to diagnose him properly as they withheld from getting any form of scans. The doctors merely had prescribed medicines and claimed that the child would be ‘ok.’

A heartbroken Ngannou then revealed that believing the doctors were right, he “put his guard down,” and hence never pushed for an alternate diagnosis. After this, the events and the timeline were not clarified by the fighter, however, he did disclose how he received the gut-wrenching news. “My phone rang; it was my little brother, saying, ‘Bro, things are not going well here.’ He said Kobe passed out. He’s not breathing, we are at the hospital, they kicked me out from the room,” said Ngannou.

After this conversation, the distraught fighter’s call with his brother got disconnected. But upon several tries, when he did get his brother on the line, a nurse came out and confirmed the devastating news, while he helplessly listened on the other line.

Since he kept that part of his life out of the limelight, little is known about the mother of the child. It is said that Ngannou has two other children. At a rare moment, in October 2023, the fighter was seen introducing his son and daughter to soccer star, Cristiano Ronaldo. While Ngannou held his son, Ronaldo was carrying the fighter’s daughter.

Now, with the devastating recent news, the Ngannou family has rightfully asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult moment. After Francis Ngannou dropped the news, the entire combat world came forward to console the Cameroonian and express their condolences. Prominent figures such as Conor McGregor, Michael Buffer, and many more reacted to the demise of the 1-year-old.

The world joins Francis Ngannou to mourn little Kobe

Former UFC dual weight champion and father of four Conor McGregor took to his social media to provide a heartfelt message for Ngannou. He had his fourth kid in November last year.

Lightweight fighter, Benoit Saint-Denis took to X to tweet in French, “All our condolences, prayers, thoughts and support for your family.”

Michael Buffer, veteran ring announcer and brother of UFC announcer Bruce Buffer, added a beautiful yet sad message for the former heavyweight champion, ” No choice-or amount-of words can express how heartbreaking this tragic news is! The entire world of sports and beyond stand crushed and painfully supportive with Francis at this time. Please know that millions of us embrace little Kobe with our prayers.”

Ngannou’s MMA coach Eric Nicksick stated, “It’s been a heavy few days, words can’t express the pain we all feel for the Ngannou family during this time.” His former UFC colleague Henry Cejudo said, “I’m so sorry for your loss Francis. Losing family is the hardest thing a human can go through in life. We don’t have the answer but one day you’ll meet again. We love you my brother.”

This is a truly trying time for the Cameroonian and he is visibly distraught. Here’s hoping the former UFC heavyweight champion and his family find the strength to get through this ordeal.