PFL heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou recently opened up about the immense grief he endured following the passing of his young son, Kobe, earlier this year. Ngannou admitted that, in the depths of his sorrow, he questioned whether he would ever fight again. He returned to mixed martial arts in a highly anticipated showdown against Renan Ferreira, where he secured a victory with a powerful takedown and ground-and-pound, capturing the PFL heavyweight title.

In a post-fight interview, Ngannou revealed that the heartbreak almost led him to retire from fighting. He explained the emotional turmoil that filled his thoughts, wondering if his family’s misfortune was an unlucky streak or even a curse. “This was by far the hardest training camp of my life,” he shared, noting the struggle to keep going while grieving.

Ultimately, Ngannou found strength in his late son’s memory. He dedicated the victory to Kobe, viewing his return as a way to honor him. “Fighting gave me something to focus on, a chance to fight for him, even if he couldn’t be here to see it,” he reflected.