A devastated Francis Ngannou laid to rest his 15-month-old son, Kobe, on Friday during an emotional funeral ceremony.
Ngannou, 37, took to social media on Monday to share the tragic news that Kobe had passed away last Saturday, mourning the passing of "my little boy, my mate, my partner." No cause of death has been given.
A funeral was held on Friday and joining the French-Cameroonian fighter at the ceremony was his fellow former UFC world champion, Kamaru Usman, in a show of solidarity. Cameroon football legend Samuel Eto'o was also seen paying his respects.
Ngannou, who rose from living in poverty to becoming the UFC heavyweight champion, made the switch from mixed martial arts to boxing last year. He's since fought Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, gaining further respect from the fighting community after two commendable displays.
While breaking the news of his son's death, the 37-year-old issued a heartbreaking plea on social media. "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!?" Ngannou wrote.
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"Why is life so unfair and merciless? Why does life always take what we don't have? I'm f*****g tired."
As tributes poured in, he said in a statement: "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 who I am. Life is so unfair to his 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."
Conor McGregor was among those to send his condolences, saying on X/Twitter : "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."
Commenting on Ngannou's Instagram post, boxing star Joshua wrote: "May the memories you shared bring you comfort."
Ngannou's coach, Eric Nicksick, added: "It's been a heavy few days, words can't express the pain we all feel for the Ngannou family during this time. Please keep Francis and his family in your heart, and may this be a reminder of the fragility of life. Say 'I love you' more often, tomorrow isn't guaranteed."
His agent, Marquel Martin, has asked those to respect Ngannou's privacy at such a difficult time.
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