All The Smoke (DR) / The Joe Rogan Experience (DR)
By Guillaume K. | Sports journalist
Francis Ngannou has just broken his silence following the tragic disappearance of his young son Kobe, aged 15 months. In this touching interview, he recounted how his meeting with Lakers legend Kobe Bryant inspired this choice.
Francis Ngannou had to overcome incredibly difficult challenges to get to where he is today, such as crossing Africa and then the Mediterranean. He had a dream in mind, and he was ready to take all the risks to reach France, where he knew he would have the chance to show his talent to the rest of the world. Destiny clearly proved him right.
Proof that karma is a concept that is sometimes difficult to grasp, the Predator, despite everything he has already endured in his adult life, has just experienced a particularly painful year 2024. After taking a terrible KO in the ring against Anthony Joshua, it is his world that has been shattered with the disappearance of his young 15-month-old son.
The Exchange Between Francis Ngannou and Kobe Bryant
After a long mourning and a long silence, the former UFC champion decided to relieve himself of a weight by speaking on Joe Rogan’s podcast. He spoke about this tragic loss, and explained where he came up with the idea to name his son “Kobe”. Unsurprisingly, there is a connection with the Lakers legend, who also left too soon:
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My son’s name was Kobe. I named him after Kobe Bryant. I have a great memory with him. The day the UFC announced their partnership with BodyArmor, there was an event in New York. I had just arrived in the United States. My English was so bad, and yet I had to go there to participate in the announcement. I arrived early, and so did Kobe Bryant. We met in what was used as a waiting room.
We talked for 30 minutes. I was ashamed of my English, I didn’t want to talk, but he kept asking me questions, asking me things about my life story. I was impressed, I didn’t want to bother him, but he asked lots of questions. He was happy to talk with me, he reassured me about my English. For 30 minutes…
When Dana White came, he asked him if he knew my story, and then he talked about everything I had just told him. He thought it was crazy and kept saying that in the United States they had no idea of everything that could happen in the world. Kobe talked like that about me… That’s my story with Kobe. When he died, it was very difficult for me, and I promised myself that I would name my son after him.
Francis Ngannou did not choose the name “Kobe” for his son by chance. It was in honor of the Lakers legend, with whom he was able to chat for 30 minutes upon his arrival in the United States. A story as beautiful as it is sad…
