Francis Ngannou’s journey to the top continues, but it’s been marked by personal tragedy. In his PFL debut, Ngannou secured a commanding victory over Renan Ferreira to claim the title. But after the fight, his joy was overshadowed by grief, as he dedicated the win to his late 15-month-old son, Kobe, who passed away earlier this year.
The emotional toll almost led him to retire, but Ngannou found the strength to press on. In his post-fight speech, he shared the heart-breaking struggle:
“They’ve been telling me I’m tough… I recently found out that I wasn’t tough. You kind of ask yourself, ‘is this ever gonna be over?’ You think it might never be over; you just may as well learn how to live with it. I don’t think a lifetime would be enough to grieve.”
Francis Ngannou Honours Late Son Kobe Following PFL Win
His son’s death sent him into deep depression, leaving him unsure about his future in the sport. But he pushed through for Kobe’s memory, and after his victory, he broke down in tears, crediting his son for giving him the strength to win. This win wasn’t just about another belt—it was about honour, love, and legacy.
Ngannou’s return to MMA came after two major boxing bouts against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, where despite strong efforts, he fell short. However, the Cameroonian fighter is back to his true domain in MMA, and fans are thrilled with his latest performance.
Despite his continued success, Ngannou’s split from the UFC was controversial. Dana White, UFC president, accused Ngannou of ducking Jon Jones despite being offered significant sums to stay. Ngannou denied the claim, accusing White of spinning the narrative against him. Jones and Ngannou have since engaged in a quiet rivalry, with fans wondering who would come out on top if they fought.
Jon Jones Reacts to Francis Ngannou’s Win
Surprisingly, Jones took to X (formerly Twitter) to praise Ngannou’s PFL performance, tweeting:
“What an amazing job Francis did tonight, displayed a complete MMA game. Great kicks, great takedowns. It feels good to see him shine. Wow, congratulations Champ, I see you.”
However, UFC boss White has already dismissed the idea of a cross-promotional fight between Jones and Ngannou. With recent tensions between the UFC and PFL co-founder Donn Davis, the likelihood of such a fight seems slim, but it remains a dream match for fans around the world.
Ngannou’s recent victory marks an important chapter in his career, but more significantly, it’s a testament to his resilience. Whether or not the long-awaited showdown with Jon Jones happens, it’s clear that Ngannou’s legacy is already cemented. With each win, he honors not just his talent, but the memory of his son, pushing forward despite unimaginable loss.
The world will be watching as Ngannou continues his journey, and with the support of fans and fellow fighters, it’s clear he’s far from finished.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
