Francis Ngannou is set to return to action this weekend, but this fight carries a far deeper meaning than anything inside the cage.
“The Predator” faces Philipe Lins on the undercard of Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, streaming live on Netflix. It marks just his second outing since the devastating loss of his 15-month-old son, Kobe, in 2024.
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Speaking during an emotional interview with Daniel Cormier, the 39-year-old Cameroonian admitted the tragedy had completely altered his outlook on life.
You know, it is something you’d never forget, but it definitely brings you to see life in a different way,” Ngannou said. “It was a trigger to find out that I’m still sensitive and I’m still human.
The loss left him questioning everything, including his fighting career.
I did not want to keep fighting; there was no reason,” he said. “What’s the point of fighting if I cannot fight for my son?
“The Predator” also revealed how deeply the trauma continues to affect him, recalling a frightening moment involving his daughter.
I remember a few months after my son passed away, I was with my daughter and she had a cold,” Ngannou said. “At some point she stopped reacting and was getting fatigued, and it was the biggest fear of my life. It was a normal reaction for my kid, but for me, I was traumatized.
The former UFC heavyweight champion added that his final memory of his son still weighs heavily on him.
I think about the last time I saw him… he was crying because he did not want me to leave,” Ngannou said. “Those moments you take for granted.
