"I recently just found out that I wasn't tough" - Francis Ngannou bares his soul in powerful post-fight statement about grieving late son Kobe

The death of his son Kobe weighed heavy on Francis Ngannou as he headed into his MMA return against Renan Ferreira.

The former UFC heavyweight champion lost his 15-month-old son in April due to brain deformation that went undiagnosed. Despite seeking medical assistance, doctors were unable to deduce the child's condition.

On Saturday, the still-grieving father made a triumphant return to the sport with a first-round knockout win over 'Problema' at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants.

In a powerful statement during the post-fight press conference, 'The Predator' opened up about dealing with the passing of his child and soldiering on through life:

​

"They've been telling me that I'm tough to the point that I believe that I'm tough and I recently just found out that I wasn't tough. Life can make you look at events and [make you] think you're running away and then it hits you really bad... It's one of those things [to lose a child] you ask yourself, 'Is it ever going to be over?'... I don't think a lifetime would be enough to grieve. It is just about keeping going. It's a new way of living that I have to learn."

Check out Francis Ngannou's statement below:

Kobe was all Ngannou could think about after his win over Ferreira. In an emotional post-fight interview, the MMA megastar dedicated the victory to his late child, saying:

​

"I hope they remember his name because without Kobe we wouldn't be here tonight... I just want to say please remember my son, remember my son Kobe. I dedicate this for Kobe."

Check out Francis Ngannou's tribute to his son Kobe below:

​