Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is reportedly connected to a deadly traffic accident in his home country of Cameroon.
Reports indicate that a 17-year-old girl died in Yaounde`s Omnisports District following a collision involving Ngannou, who was riding a motorcycle.
Media in Cameroon reported that the teenager sustained serious injuries to her arm and leg.
Ngannou reportedly took her to the hospital, but she tragically died at Yaounde General Hospital due to her injuries.
The 38-year-old Ngannou is described as “devastated” by the tragic crash.
It is reported that the Professional Fighters League Super Fights Heavyweight Champion, who has not yet commented publicly, covered the victim`s “medical expenses.”
This accident is the latest unfortunate event for the Cameroonian fighter, who recently transitioned into boxing with high-profile matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Last April, Ngannou suffered another tragedy with the death of his 15-month-old son, Kobe.
Known as `The Predator`, Ngannou shared the painful details of Kobe`s death on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
He revealed that Kobe had a previously unknown brain malformation.
His son had two episodes of losing consciousness. The first time in Cameroon, hospital tests didn`t reveal anything.
The second time occurred in Saudi Arabia, where extensive hospital exams also yielded no diagnosis.
Tests included an EEG, but not a CAT scan or MRI, as doctors concluded he had a swollen lung.
They believed this was pressing on his chest, causing breathing difficulties.
Following these tests, he was given medication and reassured he would be fine.
Doctors initially suspected asthma but later dismissed it.
He was briefly given a ventilator, but it was removed after further assessment, which Ngannou found reassuring.
While at a training camp in Dubai after leaving Cameroon, Ngannou struggled to reach his family for updates on Kobe`s condition.
He recounted, “I tried to call, I wanted to talk to him while I was on my bike.
“I called his mom, but she didn`t pick up.
“I thought, `After I`m done, I`ll take a shower, lay in bed, and call him.`”
“About thirty minutes later, while on the leg machine, my phone rang. It was my younger brother.
“He said, `Brother, things aren`t good here.` I asked, `What is it?`
“He replied, `Kobe passed out, he`s not breathing. We`re at the hospital, and they`ve put me out of the room.`”
“I was asking, `What`s going on?` While we talked, he was also trying to get information, and I lost the call for about three or four minutes.”
When I called back, Ngannou heartbreakingly heard the nurse informing his brother that Kobe had died.
He continued the quote: “She just said, `Well, he`s gone.` Just like that. He`s gone.
“`What do you mean he`s gone? How is he gone?
“`He was only 15 months old, and seemed bigger than his age.
“He was growing, the most joyful, happy child. What do you mean he`s gone? Gone where?` That was the end of the conversation.”
Ngannou returned to MMA in October, defeating Renan Ferreira by TKO in Saudi Arabia.
He became emotional after the win, crying and dedicating the victory to his late 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, we wouldn`t be here tonight. I wouldn`t have fought.”
Elton Marrow