Francis Ngannou reveals the death of his 15-month-old son Kobe made him retire – but insists he will continue his fighting career with the ‘motivation to fight for him’

Francis Ngannou has revealed he considered retirement following the death of his 15-month-old son.

The former UFC boxer turned UFC star took to social media in April to reveal the tragic loss of son Kobe, who was born in January 2023.

The cause of death remained unknown until the heavyweight’s recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where he claimed it was due to a brain malformation.

Ngannou, 37, also revealed that he was in Dubai at the time of Kobe’s death, and Kobe learned the news over the phone when his younger brother informed him of what had happened.

Now, speaking to Sky Sports, Ngannou has spoken about the impact the death has had on him and his career, and what he’s doing now that he’s made a decision about his future.

Franics Ngannou (pictured) has revealed he considered retirement following the death of his 15-month-old son Kobe.

Ngannou, pictured with his mother, said he would use the events as “motivation to fight for him”.

The former UFC star, 37, has had two professional boxing bouts, the first against Tyson Fury (left)

“Since I lost my son, for a while I felt I didn’t even have to do this,” said the heavy. “I wonder if I should do it or fight again or something.”

“But I know my son had something good in his memory and I want to do something to honor his memory. Use this not to be the reason for me to quit, but to be a motivation and also to fight for it.

Several fans and fellow fighters were quick to send their well wishes and condolences to the Cameroonian after the news broke in April, including lies from Conor McGregor and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou’s most recent opponent.

The former UFC man made the transition to boxing last October, hitting the ground running, first with a controversial loss to Tyson Fury, before a tough defeat by Joshua in March.

His next fight or potential return date seems unclear, but it appears that Ngannou will continue his journey in combat sports when he is ready.

Speaking about Kobe’s death, Ngannou said: “My phone rang; it was my younger brother saying, “Brother, things are not going well here.” He said Kobe passed out. He’s not breathing, we’re in the hospital, they kicked me out of the room.

Ngannou claims that while he was trying to get more information from his brother, a nurse came over and told his younger brother that Kobe was “gone.”

He went on to describe the impact his son’s death had on him and admitted it left him with “nothing”.

“In your heart, you feel that you are broken. You have nothing. Nothing is worth it,” he explained.

“I’ve always loved my life and I know I have everything, but I think that at least whenever I die, I can go see my baby. I’m going to see him. I’m not afraid of that’.

Ngannou revealed that Kobe had died in a heartbreaking post on his Instagram account in April

Ngannou was last in the ring in March when he lost to Britain’s Anthony Joshua (left)

Tributes for the fighter came from the likes of Conor McGregor (right) behind Kobe’s passing

In April, Ngannou’s heartbreaking Instagram post revealed the loss of his son, which read: “Too soon to be gone but still gone. My little boy, my partner, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy. Now he lies lifeless. I called his name over and over but he doesn’t answer.

“I was my best self around him and now I have no idea (clue) who I am. Life is so unfair that it hits us where it hurts the most.

‘How do you deal with something like this? How can you live with it? Please help me if you have an idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this.