Francis Ngannou broke down in tears while discussing the tragic passing of his son with Steven Bartlett.
In April, the former UFC heavyweight champion was inundated with supportive messages from the MMA community after announcing the death of his 15-month son, Kobe.
Ngannou confirmed the heartbreaking news on social mediaCredit: Getty
Ngannou subsequently stepped away from the spotlight to mourn with his family before announcing his return to MMA on Tuesday.
The 37-year-old will make his PFL debut against 6ft 8in knockout artist Renan Ferreira, who he’ll square off against on October 19.
On Wednesday, he appeared on Bartlett’s popular ‘Diary of a CEO’ podcast to discuss his upbringing, journey from Africa to Europe and career in combat sports.
Naturally, the British entrepreneur asked how he was coping after recently experiencing an unimaginable loss.
“That is something that I never really imagined, and all of a sudden nothing really matters,” Ngannou said.
“I’m surviving but I’ll never be the same. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.”
Ngannou admitted that he doesn’t know how to deal with the death of his son and has been questioning if he can cope with what life is throwing at him.
After being probed by Bartlett, Ngannou replied: “There’s some days that you wake up, think about everything, and are like, ‘What’s the purpose?’”
“What’s the point of fighting if I can’t fight for the only person I can fight for.”
The emotional MMA star abruptly moved the conversation on.
Ngannou got upset while discussing his late sonCredit: The Diary Of A CEO – YouTube
He asked his interviewer to change the topic of the conversationCredit: The Diary Of A CEO – YouTube
“Let’s talk about something else,” he said as a tear ran down his face.
Bartlett agreed, apologised, and changed the topic as Ngannou rubbed the tears from his eyes.
Ngannou previously opened up about Kobe during an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast where he told a heartbreaking story about the last time he saw his child.
He said: “The last time I saw him was me leaving Cameroon, going to the elevator, and he was with my little brother, and he didn’t want me to go because he became my buddy.
“So much that even when I’m around he doesn’t want me to leave him alone.
“I can take him whenever, wherever I go, he might not eat, he doesn’t care, as long as he was with me That was it, he was my mate.
“Then you start thinking about all those little things that you guys have, just you and him, then it’s over. Then it’s over.
Ngannou has bravely opened up about Kobe’s passingCredit: The Joe Rogan Experience – YouTube
Rogan got emotional while listening to his heartbreaking storyCredit: The Joe Rogan Experience – YouTube
“The day that I was leaving he was crying like he wanted me to go with him, but I kept going I’m going to be back, I have no clue that that was it.
“I should have gone back one more time. Spend one more day, hug him one more time.
The man who fought Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in his first two professional boxing bouts says that Kobe’s passing has changed how he thinks about death.
Ngannou added: “You have things to be grateful about, but in your heart, you feel like you are broken, you have nothing. Nothing is worth it.”
“I always love life and know that I have everything from society.
“I’m like, ‘At least whenever I die, I can go and see my kid’.
“I’m not afraid of it. I still want to live, but you get to that point, to think like that, [in] some way you’re looking forward for whenever that happens.”