Five months after his tragic death, Francis Ngannou shares a heartbreaking tribute to his 15-month-old son

Five months after his tragic death, Francis Ngannou has honored the memory of his 15-month-old son Kobe in a heartbreaking tribute.

The MMA icon, who previously reigned as UFC heavyweight champion, announced the devastating news of Kobe’s death just weeks after his boxing loss to Anthony Joshua in April.

And as he prepares to return to his natural discipline in the Professional Fighters League this weekend, Ngannou unveiled a tattoo as a tribute to his late son.

A tattoo of Kobe’s name and a pigeon was visible on his left bicep as he lined up for his fight against Renan Ferreira in Saudi Arabia, ensuring his memory will live on forever.

Ngannou released a heartbreaking statement in April confirming Kobe’s death and admitting he didn’t know how to deal with the loss of his young child.

“It’s too early to leave, but he’s gone anyway,” he wrote. “My little boy, my buddy, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy.” Now he lies there without life. I kept calling his name but he didn’t answer.

“I was my best self by his side and now I have no idea who I am.” Life is so unfair, hitting us where it hurts the most.

“How do you deal with something like that?” How can you live with it? Please help me if you have an idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this.’

Weeks before Kobe’s death, Ngannou was brutally beaten by former world heavyweight boxing champion Joshua in Saudi Arabia.

But after transitioning into the sweet science for fights against AJ and Tyson Fury – who he dropped to the canvas before losing a hugely controversial points decision – the former UFC king is returning to MMA on Saturday night.

He will meet Ferreira in Saudi Arabia this weekend to begin a new chapter in his martial arts career, although he is considering retirement following the tragic death of his son.

The former UFC heavyweight king announced the devastating news of Kobe’s death in April

He will return to MMA on Saturday in a PFL fight against Renan Ferreira in Saudi Arabia

Ngannou admitted he thought about retiring after his son’s death

“I was wondering if I should continue or just retire, but I didn’t want my son to be the reason for that, so I decided that I would keep fighting for him,” Ngannou said at a press conference in the fight August.

“It has become a new goal for me.” My son was 15 months old, but he was very active and I had many plans for the future with him, but life decided otherwise.

“I decided to draw a positive conclusion from his 15 months of life; keep going instead of giving up. It’s the best way to honor him.”