In a heartbreaking revelation, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has opened up about the tragic loss of his 15-month-old son, Kobe. Ngannou, who named his son after the legendary Kobe Bryant, shared the poignant story behind the decision during a recent appearance on the “JRE MMA Show.”
Ngannou recounted the harrowing events leading up to his son’s passing, explaining that Kobe had experienced mild brain inflammation, which had caused him to faint twice – first in Cameroon and then in Saudi Arabia. While the doctors in Saudi Arabia believed Kobe’s condition was a swollen lung pressing against his chest, Ngannou said he “put his guard down” after the second incident, believing the issue had been resolved.
Tragically, Ngannou’s world was shattered when he received a call from his brother, informing him that Kobe had passed out and was not breathing. “My phone rang; it was my little brother, saying, ‘Bro, things are not going well here,'” Ngannou recalled. “He said Kobe passed out. He’s not breathing, we are at the hospital, they kicked me out from the room.”
Ngannou’s heartbreak was compounded when he later received the devastating news of his son’s passing while on the phone with his brother. “While speaking with his brother, a nurse came out and broke the news of his son’s passing while he was on the other line,” as per Ngannou.
Despite the unimaginable pain of losing his son, Ngannou found solace in the memory of his special connection with the late Kobe Bryant. He recounted a chance encounter with the NBA star in New York, where Kobe took the time to engage with Ngannou and learn about his journey, despite the language barrier. “Wow, this is Kobe Bryant. So that was like my moment with Kobe,” Ngannou said.
It was this profound experience that inspired Ngannou to name his son after the basketball legend. “So when he passed out, when he died, I was in LA when I heard about the news. And he hit me really bad. And I decided, I’m going to make Kobe. I’m going to have a Kobe,” he shared.
While Ngannou’s grief is undoubtedly immense, he takes comfort in the belief that he will one day be reunited with his son. “At least whenever I die,” Francis said, “I’m going to see my kid. I’m not afraid of it.”
