UFC champion turned boxing star Francis Ngannou has announced his 15-month-old son Kobe died on Saturday.
The 37-year-old shared the news with a devastating post.
“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 on Monday.
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“Now, he’s laying without life. I shouted his name over and over but he’s not responding.”
Ngannou laid bare his heartbreak and openly asked for help processing the loss of his son.
“I was my best self next to him and now I have no clue of who I am,” he wrote.
“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 or how to deal with this.”
The circumstances surrounding Kobe’s death are unclear.
Ngannou had shared a worrying post just two hours before confirming the news.
“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!?” he wrote.
“Why is life so unfair and merciless?
“Why does life always take what we don’t have? I’m f***ing tired.”
Eric Nicksick, Ngannou’s MMA coach, said it had been “a heavy few days” since Kobe’s death.
“Words can’t express the pain we all feel for the Ngannou family during this time,” Nicksick wrote.
“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.”
The fighter’s manager Marquel Martin said: “Please respect Francis Ngannou and his family during this traumatic time. I along with millions others will be praying for their strength.”
Ngannou, who had members of his family in his corner at his most recent fight in March, only recently returned home from a trip to his native Cameroon where he said he “had a great time being back in the village in Batie”.
Ngannou has received an outpouring of support from around the combat sports world, including from his last opponent Anthony Joshua.
“May the memories you shared bring you comfort,” Joshua wrote.
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor said: “I am so sorry to hear of your loss Francis, my prayers are with you and your family at this time.”
UFC fighter Henry Cejudo wrote: “I’m so sorry for your lost 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.”
Ngannou burst onto the UFC scene in 2016 and fought for the heavyweight title in 2018.
He finally won the belt in 2021 but would defend it just once before leaving the company and making a big-money move into boxing.
An impressive debut against Tyson Fury in October last year ended in a split-decision defeat.
But in his next bout, against Joshua last month, Ngannou was knocked out in the second round.
