FORMER UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was reportedly involved in a deadly road incident in his home country, Cameroon.
According to various reports, a collision involving Ngannou, who was riding a motorcycle, resulted in the death of a 17-year-old girl in the Omnisports District of Yaounde.
Cameroonian media outlets Camer.be, Lebledparle, and ActuCameroun reported the victim sustained severe injuries to her arm and leg.
Ngannou quickly took her to the hospital, but she did not survive her critical injuries and sadly passed away at Yaounde General Hospital.
The 38-year-old Ngannou is reportedly “devastated” by the tragic collision.
Sources claim the Professional Fighters League Super Fights Heavyweight Champion, who has not yet commented publicly, covered the victim`s “medical expenses.”
Representatives for Ngannou were requested for comment.
This crash is the most recent unfortunate event for the fighter from Cameroon, known for his boxing matches against Tyson Fury (October 2023) and Anthony Joshua (March 2024).
In April last year, it was reported that Ngannou`s 15-month-old son, Kobe, had tragically passed away.
Known as `The Predator`, Ngannou shared heartbreaking details about Kobe`s death on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
He recounted: “Kobe had a brain malformation, something we were unaware of.
“He lost consciousness twice. The first time in Cameroon, we took him to the hospital, but they found nothing.
“The second instance was in [Saudi Arabia]. We took him to the hospital, where they conducted numerous tests, but still found nothing conclusive.
“They performed an EEG, but not a CAT scan or MRI. Their conclusion was that he had a swollen lung.
“They believed this was pressing on his chest, hindering his breathing, and causing the issue.
“After all the exams, they prescribed medicine, saying he would be okay.
“They said there was nothing to worry about. Initially, they even suspected asthma.
“They used a ventilator briefly, but removed it after further assessment. This made me feel confident.”
After leaving Cameroon for a training camp in Dubai, Ngannou attempted to call his family for updates on his son`s condition but couldn`t connect.
He continued: “I tried to call, I wanted to talk to him, and I was on my bike.
“I called his mom, but she didn’t answer.
“I thought, `After I`m finished, I`ll shower, get in bed, and call him.`”
“Thirty minutes later, while I was on the leg machine, my phone rang. It was my younger brother.
“He said, `Brother, things are not okay here.` I asked, `What`s wrong?`
“[He said,] `Kobe lost consciousness, he`s not breathing. We`re at the hospital, and they`ve told me to leave the room.`”
“I replied, `What`s happening?` As we spoke, he was also trying to get information, so I lost contact with him for about three or four minutes.”
After calling back, Ngannou heard the nurse`s heartbreaking words to his brother: Kobe had sadly passed away.
He continued: “[She said,] `Well, he’s gone.` Just like that. He’s gone.
“`What do you mean, he`s gone? How can he be gone?
“This child was 15 months old, he seemed bigger than 15 months.
“He was growing. He was the most joyful, happy child. What do you mean he`s gone? Gone where?` That was it.”
Ngannou returned to MMA competition last October, defeating Renan Ferreira by TKO in Saudi Arabia.
He was visibly emotional after the win over the Brazilian, crying and dedicating the victory to his deceased son.
Ngannou tearfully stated: “I can only think about my son, Kobe.
“I took this fight only because of him, I fought for him.
“I hope people remember his name, because without Kobe, I wouldn`t be here tonight. I wouldn`t have fought.”
Percy Harlow