Emotional Francis Ngannou wins PFL title; says fight was for son - ESPN

Francis Ngannou's life is ripe for a Hollywood blockbuster film and the latest entry will certainly be his most heartfelt.

The former UFC heavyweight champion returned to action following the heartbreaking loss of his 15-month-old son and violently dispatched of Renan Ferreira in the main event Saturday of PFL: Battle of the Giants in Saudi Arabia.

Ngannou hadn't competed in MMA in nearly three years and took a detour into boxing. But few knew if the French Cameroonian still had the desire to compete after his son passed from an unexpected fatal malformation on his brain in April. Instead of fighting for money or world titles, Ngannou stepped into the cage in memory of his son and proved why he is still the best heavyweight in the world.

«I can't think about anything other than my son, Kobe,» an emotional Ngannou said. «I took this fight for him. Without Kobe, I wouldn't be here fighting. Please remember my son's name.»

Ngannou said it's been a tough process managing his emotions in preparation for his return to the cage.

«I tried to tell myself to be strong and keep moving but it was very hard,» he said. «But I didn't miss a step. I wasn't worried about it. As soon as I walked in the gym for MMA, everything was still in me. I just had to manage my emotions and deal with life.»

FRANCIS! FRANCIS! FRANCIS!
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There were plenty of questions surrounding Ngannou's return. Did he still have the desire to compete? Had boxing soured his taste for MMA? The 2023 PFL heavyweight champion