The young son of UFC and boxing star Francis Ngannou has died.
Ngannou, 37, shared the news in a heartbreaking post on Instagram and has since received countless messages of support on his social media pages.
The former UFC heavyweight champion’s son, named Kobe, is believed to have been just 15 months old at the time of his death.
The cause of death is not yet known, with media in Ngannou’s native Cameroon first reporting the story before the mixed martial artist confirmed the tragic news this evening.
‘Too soon to leave but yet he’s gone. My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy,’ Ngannou wrote to his 7.1 million followers on Instagram.
‘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 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.’
On X, formerly known as Twitter, a distraught Ngannou added: ‘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!?
‘Why is life so unfair and merciless? Why does life always take what we don’t have? I’m f***ing tired.’
UFC superstar Conor McGregor was among those to send their support and condolences to Ngannou, replying: ‘I am so sorry to hear of your loss Francis, my prayers are with you and your family at this time.’
Boxing promoter Frank Warren, meanwhile, sent his ‘thoughts and prayers’ to Ngannou and his loved ones in a heartfelt message on X.
‘Thoughts and prayers are with Francis Ngannou and his family,’ Warren wrote.
‘Terribly sad news.’
Ngannou’s coach Eric Nicksick urged fans and supporters to keep the Cameroonian and his family ‘in your heart’ after what he described as ‘a heavy few days’.
‘It’s been a heavy few days, words can’t express the pain we all feel for the Ngannou family during this time,’ he said.
‘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.’
Ngannou, considered one of the most devastating punchers in the history of UFC’s heavyweight division, left the sport to pursue a career in boxing last year and lost his opening contest to Tyson Fury via a ten-round split decision.
Last month, Ngannou entered the ring with Anthony Joshua and suffered his second successive defeat, with the Brit landing a punishing second-round knockout to secure victory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The veteran fighter is next due to appear in the Professional Fighters League.
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