By Francis Ngannou will return to the MMA cage on October 19 to fight Renan “Problema” Ferreira, dedicating the bout to his late son, Kobe. Ngannou announced the tragic death of his 15-month-old son in April, a loss that left him feeling “powerless and vulnerable.”
Ngannou, who previously held the UFC heavyweight title, shared that this period has been the most challenging of his life. He has been grappling with intense grief and questioning the significance of his career and existence. Despite these struggles, Ngannou has decided to channel his sorrow into his fight against Ferreira, viewing it as a way to honor Kobe and find renewed purpose in his career.
In a recent interview, Ngannou expressed that he needs to stay active and focused, not only to maintain his career but also to keep his son’s memory alive. “I need to fight for my boy, for Kobe,” Ngannou said. He acknowledged the difficulty of overcoming such a personal loss but is determined to use it as his “biggest motivation.”
Ngannou’s upcoming fight will be for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Super Fight belt. Despite a recent stint in boxing, where he experienced both a notable victory and a tough defeat, Ngannou is returning to MMA, which he considers his true home. He hopes this fight will reaffirm his place in the sport and serve as a tribute to his son.
The event will also feature Cris Cyborg in a featherweight super fight against Larissa Pacheco, adding to the anticipation of Ngannou’s return to MMA.
