UFC heavyweight ex-champion Francis Ngannou has issued his first public comment on a tragic incident that occurred in Cameroon last month.
According to reports from several Cameroonian media outlets, Ngannou, 38, was involved in a motorcycle accident during the Easter weekend, in which a young woman was hit.
The woman, whose identity has not been revealed, was hospitalized in Yaoundé, the country’s capital, and underwent emergency surgery. Unfortunately, she died from her injuries.
From the beginning, I have stood by the family, offering support, comfort, and my deepest condolences during this time. I have met with them privately to share their grief, and I will continue to support them every step of the way. I carry their pain with me, and my unwavering thoughts and support remain with them as they face this heartbreaking loss.
Francis Ngannou
Cameroonian authorities continue to investigate the incident.
Ngannou left the UFC in 2023 after failing to reach a contractual agreement. Subsequently, he signed with PFL, but took a break from MMA to pursue his dream of professional boxing, facing Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in 2023 and 2024, respectively, losing both fights.
In October, Ngannou returned to MMA to face Renan Ferreira, achieving a TKO in the first round in his PFL debut. Before his return to MMA, he suffered the tragic loss of his son Kobe, who passed away unexpectedly due to a brain malformation.
