2024 was a tumultuous year for former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, marked by personal tragedy and setbacks in his fighting career. Ngannou suffered a crushing blow in April with the loss of his son, Kobe, who passed away at just 15 months old due to a brain condition.
This heartbreak was compounded by a tough year inside the ring, where Ngannou faced two significant defeats. In March, he returned to professional boxing but suffered a brutal knockout loss to Anthony Joshua, adding to a split decision defeat to Tyson Fury the previous year.
Despite the hardships, Ngannou ended the year on a high note. He made his debut in the PFL and secured a dominant win over 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira.
Looking ahead to 2025, Ngannou shared his reflections on social media, expressing relief as he looked forward to a new chapter:
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"Can't wait for this year (2024) to be over. It's been by far my worst year ever 😩"
Fans quickly rallied around him, with one commenting:
"It can't rain forever. Keep your head up, champ!"
Another added:
“It is by far your best year... you’ve earned your true market value! Congratulations and thank you for staying humble.”
Check out some of the fan reactions below:
Francis Ngannou wants another shot at Tyson Fury
Francis Ngannou has made it clear that his priority is a rematch with Tyson Fury in the boxing ring. The heavyweight champion, speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, emphasized his focus on facing Fury again following their high-profile first encounter.
Ngannou's statement comes amid speculation about Fury’s next move, including a potential showdown with Anthony Joshua in 2025.
Fury’s recent loss to Oleksandr Usyk for multiple heavyweight titles has left fans wondering about his future opponents. However, Ngannou remains steadfast in his desire for another shot at 'The Gypsy King.'
He said:
"What I want to see now is Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. That's all that matters for me now."
Check out Francis Ngannou's post below (2:37):