Francis Ngannou’s Return To The Cage: A Fighter’s Journey Of Resilience And Tragedy

With a renewed sense of purpose and a heavy heart, former UFC champion Francis Ngannou is set to make his much-anticipated return to the MMA cage this weekend in Saudi Arabia. The Cameroonian powerhouse will make his Professional Fighters League debut in Riyadh, facing heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in Saturday’s Super Fight title bout.

This comeback, however, is clouded by personal tragedy. Earlier this year, Ngannou lost his 15-month-old son, Kobe, an event that has deeply affected him. Yet, he draws strength from his son's memory.

“The best way to honor him is to stay active, to keep going,” Ngannou told CNN Sport. “Quitting would feel like giving up. It wasn’t time to retire.”

Ngannou fondly remembers his son, describing him as “a brave guy” and “something special,” and reflecting on the deep impact he left despite his short life. 

Motivated by Kobe’s memory, the man who once set the record for the hardest punch in UFC history now has his sights on Ferreira, looking to add to his impressive record of just three losses in 20 MMA fights, with 12 of his 17 wins coming by knockout. This will mark Ngannou’s first MMA fight since 2022, after spending time in boxing, where he faced controversial defeats to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

“I’ve missed MMA,” Ngannou said. “It’s time to get back. Ferreira is dangerous, but I believe I’m more dangerous. I’ve got the best motivation – I’m the best in this game.”

Ngannou’s journey is one of incredible resilience. Growing up in Cameroon, he worked in a sand mine at age 10 to support his family. Raised by a single mother, his childhood was fraught with poverty, yet it forged him into the fighter he is today.

In 2012, Ngannou embarked on a perilous journey, leaving behind his homeland in pursuit of a better life. Crossing multiple countries and continents, he endured hunger, homelessness, and the dangers of the open sea. Six failed attempts to cross the Strait of Gibraltar didn’t deter him. On his seventh try, Ngannou finally made it to Europe.

His struggle continued in Paris, where he was homeless, sleeping in a parking lot. But Ngannou never gave up. He found a local gym, telling the owner, “I have no money, but I want to be a world champion.” From there, his MMA career began.

In 2021, Ngannou’s dream came true when he defeated Stipe Miocic to become UFC heavyweight champion. Although his path with the UFC ended, his foray into boxing is far from over. He views it as “unfinished business” and hints at a return to the ring after his fight with Ferreira.

“It’s my motivation, my dedication,” Ngannou said. “You can take everything from me, but you’ll never take my dream.”

No matter where his journey leads, one thing is clear: for Francis Ngannou, quitting is never an option.