Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, has broken his silence following a tragic motorcycle accident in his native Cameroon that resulted in the death of a teenage girl. The incident took place in Yaounde, Cameroon, over the Easter weekend.
In a statement shared on TMZ, Ngannou expressed his deep sorrow over the accident, stating that his heart was shattered by the tragedy. He has been providing support and condolences to the family of the victim and vowed to stand by them throughout this difficult time.
“From the very beginning, I have been by the family’s side, offering support, comfort, and deepest condolences during this time,” Ngannou said in the statement. “I’ve met with them privately to share in their grief, and I will continue to stand with them every step of the way. I carry their pain with me, and my unwavering thoughts and support remain with them as they face this heartbreaking loss.”
Reports indicate that Ngannou was involved in the accident while riding a motorcycle in Yaounde’s Omnisports district. The victim, identified as Ntsama Brigitte Manuella, sustained serious injuries and was taken to Yaounde General Hospital by Ngannou for medical treatment. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries and passed away.
Authorities in Cameroon are currently investigating the incident. Ngannou, who hails from the city of Batié in Cameroon, rose to fame in the MMA world before transitioning to professional boxing. He won the UFC heavyweight title in 2021 but later departed from the organization amidst contract disputes.
Following a series of boxing matches, including bouts against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou returned to MMA in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in October, dedicating his comeback fight to the memory of his late son, Kobe, who passed away in 2024.