UFC star Francis Ngannou posts final photo of his son after holding funeral

Francis Ngannou has paid tribute to his "king" after laying his 15-month-old son to rest last weekend.

Former UFC champion Ngannou lost young Kobe last week and was joined by fellow former champion Kamaru Usman for the funeral. Ngannou had taken to social media to announce the heartbreaking news and has done so again alongside a photo of himself with his son.

"The rainbow raised yesterday at Kobe's burial ceremony, he witnessed all the love that you guys have for him. He came like a King and he left as a King," the Cameroonian wrote. When breaking the news of his son's death, 37-year-old Ngannou issued a heartbreaking plea on social media.

"What's the purpose of life if what we're fighting tooth and nail to get away from is what finally hit us the hardest!?" he wrote. "Why is life so unfair and merciless? Why does life always take what we don't have? I'm f*****g tired."

As tributes poured in, he said in a statement: "Too soon to leave but yet he's gone. My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy. Now he's laying without life. I shouted his name over and over but he's not responding.

"I was my best self next to him and now I have no clue who I am. Life is so unfair to his us where it hurts the most. How do you deal with such a thing? How can you live with it? Please help me if you have an idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this."

The world of sport paid tribute with Conor McGregor and Anthony Joshua among those to reach out. 'AJ' sent his former opponent a message that read: “May the memories you shared bring you comfort.” McGregor, meanwhile, said: "Absolutely gutted reading this Francis! I can only imagine the pain you are in right now I am so sorry hearing this news. I pray God has the best and safest place in heaven for him, until you meet again."

Saudi royal boxing chief Turki Alalshikh also posted a tribute to Ngannou, as he wrote: "My heart goes out to Francis Ngannou for his loss. May his son's soul rest in peace." Boxing promoter Frank Warren, who promoted Ngannou's fight against Tyson Fury last year, added: "Thoughts and prayers are with Francis Ngannou and his family. Terribly sad news."

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