Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident in April in Cameroon in which a woman died. 

Ngannou was riding the motorcycle that struck a woman, who was injured and later died at a local hospital in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. 

The unidentified woman underwent emergency surgery, according to reports. 

Ngannou took the woman to the hospital and reportedly paid for the medical expenses. 

Ngannou expressed his support for the grieving family in a statement to TMZ, stating, “I’ve met with (the family) 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.”

Having been the UFC heavyweight champion from 2015 to 2022, Ngannou was released by the company in 2023 due to failed contract negotiations, leading to him being stripped of his title.

He fought his last fight for company in January 2022, defeating Ciryl Gane.

Currently competing in the heavyweight division for the Professional Fighters League, Ngannou secured victory in his sole fight for the promotion by defeating Renan Ferreira via knockout in October.

He holds an 18-3 record and last lost in 2018.

The 38-year-old also tragically lost his son, Kobe, a little more than a year ago, as Ngannou announced in April 2024 that the 15-month old died. 

“Too soon to leave but yet he’s gone. My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy,” Ngannou wrote on X. “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 of who I am. Life is so unfair to hit 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.”