Francis Ngannou achieved a remarkable victory by defeating Brazilian fighter Renan Ferreira with a powerful first-round knockout at the PFL Super Fights in Saudi Arabia. However, amid his success, Ngannou was consumed by thoughts of his son, Kobe, who tragically passed away at just 15 months old in April.
“I hope they can remember his name because without Kobe, we wouldn’t be here tonight,” Ngannou expressed emotionally. “I wouldn’t have fought.”
Ngannou, a former UFC champion, arrived at this heavyweight fight uncertain about his future in the sport. This marked his first MMA bout since leaving the UFC in January 2022 due to a contract dispute, but more significantly, it was his first fight since his son’s death, which followed a misdiagnosis of a brain issue that contributed to Kobe’s passing.
Reflecting on his grief, Ngannou acknowledged that while he tried to comprehend the feelings of other parents who have lost children, he could not truly grasp the pain until it happened to him.
On fight day, he carried a heavy heart but felt compelled to compete. He remarked that he could have taken more time off but believed that no amount of time would be sufficient for mourning.
Despite the emotional weight, Ngannou stepped into the ring against one of the toughest opponents in MMA, weighing in at 255 pounds and standing 6 feet 4 inches tall. He admitted to feeling tentative and wanted to verify if he still possessed the skills and mental fortitude to fight under such pressure.
In a matchup dubbed the “Battle of the Giants,” Ngannou swiftly took control of the fight, executing a takedown on Ferreira and securing a knockout. Afterward, he knelt in the cage, reflecting on his victory while medical personnel attended to Ferreira.
Ngannou said, “It’s like, ‘OK, it’s over. I did what I came here to do.’ I have to go back into my reality. You know, to face it.”
In the post-fight interview, Ngannou took the opportunity to honor his son by saying his name: Kobe.