Francis Ngannou Reflects on Overcoming Grief After Son Kobe’s Passing and Pursuing His Fighting Career

Francis Ngannou stepped back into the ring last weekend—six months following a personal tragedy—revealing that he had doubted whether he would compete professionally again.

TMZ Sports caught up with the 38-year-old former UFC champion, now a boxer/PFL fighter, shortly after he achieved a first-round knockout against Renan Ferreira in Saudi Arabia. Emotions ran high as he broke down in tears reflecting on the heartbreaking loss of his young son, Kobe.

“Absolutely, [I wasn’t sure if I would compete again]. There came a time when everything felt tenuous. My thoughts were racing during that harrowing period,” Francis shared with us.

“You couldn’t help but wonder if it was some type of hereditary affliction or just bad fortune that would keep resurfacing. My mind was overwhelmed with thoughts I typically wouldn’t entertain.”

Ngannou made his victory appear effortless, yet he confided that emotionally and mentally, it was “by far the hardest” battle he has ever faced.

Eventually, when pondering about re-entering the ring, Francis realized that the sorrow would persist … so waiting it out wasn’t an option.

“I sensed that there might never be a moment when it felt okay, when I’d feel whole again. It struck me early on that I needed to accept it and figure out how to coexist with the grief because it would remain a part of me.”