Mixed martial artist and boxer Francis Ngannou announces the passing away of his 15-month-old son, Kobe.
"He went too soon but he's already gone," wrote Ngannou on Instagram. "My little boy, my friend, my partner Kobe had so much life and joy. Now, he's just lying there lifeless. I kept shouting his name but he didn't respond."
Ngannou didn't reveal what led to his son's death.
"I was my best self when I was with him, and now I have no idea who I am," Ngannou posted on Instagram. "Life is so unfair to hurt us where it hurts the most.
"How do you handle this? How do you live with it? If you have any ideas, please help me, because I don't know what to do or how to handle this."
In another post on X, previously known as Twitter, Ngannou wrote: "What's the point of life if what we're fighting so hard to avoid is what ends up getting us?
"Why is life so unfair and merciless? Why does life always take what we don't have? I'm so tired."
Many of Ngannou's fellow fighters offered their condolences, including former UFC champion Conor McGregor. "[I'm] so sorry to hear about your loss, Francis," McGregor wrote on X. "My prayers are with you and your family."
Ngannou's manager, Marquel Martin, said he was "heartbroken" for the fighter. "I'm so sorry that you and your family are going through this," Martin posted on Instagram. "I can't find the words to express how bad I feel for you. I've known you since we were kids, and nothing comes before our families and the love we have for them."
Ngannou's trainer, Eric Nicksick, also gave his support. "You've been our guiding light, our rock through thick and thin," Nicksick posted on Instagram. "Now, as you face this unimaginable loss, know that we're here for you, ready to be your support like you've always been for us. Lean on us, cry with us, and let's share the burden of your grief together. We'll face this dark time together and find a way to honor and remember your precious Kobe."
Ngannou had made a living in the UFC, where he was heavyweight champion, but the veteran fighter has recently switched from mixed martial arts to boxing. In his first professional fight, he put on a good show against Tyson Fury, with spectators surprised at how quickly he adapted to life as a boxer and how comfortable he looked against one of the best heavyweight boxers of the current generation in a loss. Ngannou also lost his second professional fight against Anthony Joshua in March.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
