Francis Ngannou celebrated a significant victory by defeating Brazilian fighter Renan Ferreira, who stands 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 261 pounds, with a powerful first-round knockout during the PFL Super Fights in Saudi Arabia. However, amidst his triumph, Ngannou was consumed with thoughts of his late son, Kobe, who passed away in April at just 15 months old.
With tears in his eyes, Ngannou expressed, “I hope they can remember his name, because without Kobe we wouldn’t be here tonight. I wouldn’t have fought.” This bout marked his first fight since leaving the UFC in early 2022 due to a contract dispute and since the tragic loss of his son.
Ngannou, who previously attempted to empathize with other grieving parents, admitted he could never truly understand their pain until experiencing it himself. “But I never get anywhere close to how it feels exactly,” he reflected.
Despite his grief, he made the decision to step back into the cage, recognizing that he could take more time to grieve, yet stating, “I don’t think a lifetime will be enough to grieve.” He faced one of the most formidable opponents in MMA, arriving at the event weighing 255 pounds and standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall, while grappling with uncertainty.
“This fight for me was also a way for me to find out if I could still fight, if I still have it,” he stated, acknowledging the pressures associated with the fight week and media engagement.
The match, dubbed the “Battle of the Giants,” saw Ngannou quickly establish control, securing a takedown and knocking out Ferreira in the first round. After the decisive moment, as medical personnel tended to Ferreira, Ngannou remained on his knees momentarily, reflecting on his achievement.
“It’s like, ‘OK, it’s over. I did what I came here to do,’” he shared, acknowledging the need to return to his painful reality.
Tears followed as he participated in a post-fight interview that allowed him to honor the memory of his son by saying his name loud and proud: Kobe.