Former mixed martial arts (MMA) champion Francis Ngannou announced late Monday the death of his 15-month-old son, named Kobe.
“It was too early, but he’s gone,” he wrote on the social network X, formerly Twitter.
“My little boy, my friend Kobe, was full of life and joy.”
“Now he is lying lifeless. I shouted his name over and over again but he didn’t respond.”
“I was the best version of myself around him and now I don’t know who I am anymore. Life is so unfair to hit us where it hurts the most,” said Francis Ngannou.
A few hours before revealing the death of his child, he posted on X: “What is the meaning of life if what we fight tooth and nail for (…) is ultimately what hits us the hardest? »
“Why is life so unfair and cruel? », he asked again.
The former champion of the UFC organization, converted into a professional boxer since October 2023, received messages of condolences from several personalities from the world of martial arts.
“I’m sorry to hear of your loss Francis, my prayers are with you and your family at this time,” Conor McGregor, another UFC star, posted on X.
“Please respect @francis_ngannou and his family during this traumatic time. Along with millions of others, we will pray for their strength,” declared Marquel Martin, Francis Ngannou’s manager.
“The entire sports world and beyond is devastated and supporting Francis, in pain, right now,” said Michael Buffer, famous boxing fight announcer.
“Know that millions of us are hugging little Kobe with our prayers.”