Francis Ngannou explains struggles of dealing with son's unexpected death

Francis Ngannou admits he has struggled at times dealing with the unexpected death of his son, but is working towards using his memory as motivation for the future.

Ngannou’s son Kobe tragically died in April, less than two months after his boxing match against Anthony Joshua. The former UFC heavyweight champ said his son passed out on a couple of occasions, but immediate trips to the hospital did not produce an explanation.

After Kobe’s death, the family got a clearer understanding.

“He had a malformation on his brain, which is something that we didn’t know,” Ngannou said on the “JRE MMA Show.”

Naturally, the news hit Ngannou like a ton of bricks. His son was just 15 months old but had already made a huge impact on Ngannou.

“All of the sudden, you realize how a kid that wasn’t there two years ago have became a major part of your life, or it’s all of your life, then you realize that all the things you were worrying about doesn’t mean sh*t at all,” Ngannou said. “Nothing meant, like nothing. It was the only thing at the time that really mattered, but it’s not there anymore.”

Typically, Ngannou likes spending time alone, in his own quiet space at home, with his own thoughts. However, after his son died, he admits that quiet space became very loud, and found himself trying to escape.

“So then what I do, when I start to feel something like that, I just have to force myself, like ‘Get out,'” Ngannou said. “Grab the car key, get the hell out of here. Like I’m running away from something. Then, by the time you find your car key, you find you shoes, you do this, your mind is already thinking of something (else). If you just sit in your car, then you just keep going, keep going, then it’s sad, then you pace, and then you hate life, everything.”

Ngannou has not competed since the loss to Joshua, which was his second professional boxing bout after exiting the UFC in 2022. He had already shocked the world by first landing a fight with Tyson Fury and even more so by fighting him to a split decision.

He proved his star power and ability to transition from the cage to the ring, even though he failed to record a victory. His boxing journey has just bee another chapter in his incredible story.

However, his family tragedy gave him pause, prompting him to put things in perspective about his future in combat sports. After taking time to reflect and heal, Ngannou seems ready to get back into action, which he expects to be a return to MMA in October.

But now, it will be for Kobe.

“That’s why I really want to come back and do something,” Ngannou explained. “Because I really think like maybe I should – I get to the point that I’m like, ‘Why do I fight for?’ You know, I don’t even have to. I don’t want (to). But bro, that boy, for only 15 months, I think he taught me something. … I think that’s the only way to honor him, his memory. Give him a life. Get a purpose. Make him a motivation.”

After dealing with an unexpected tragedy, Ngannou says he has worked through his thoughts and intends to live to the fullest. But when his time comes to leave the world, he believes there will be a very anticipated reunion with his son.

“At least whenever I die, I’m going to go see my kid,” Ngannou said. “I’m going to see him. I’m not afraid of it. I still want to live, but at least whenever you know, you get to that point to think like that. So, some way, you’re looking forward for whenever that happens.”