Francis Ngannou says resuming fight career ‘best way of honouring’ his son

Francis Ngannou contemplated retirement following his son’s death but the former UFC heavyweight champion believes continuing to fight is the “best way of honouring him”.

After a two-fight foray into boxing, Ngannou is set to return to mixed martial arts on October 19 when he makes his Professional Fighters League bow against Brazil’s Renan Ferreira in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at a press conference to promote the event, the Cameroonian said he gave serious thought to ending his decorated fighting career after announcing on X in April that his son Kobe had died aged 15 months.