Francis Ngannou 'involved in fatal motorbike crash in Cameroon'

Former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou is alleged to have been involved in a fatal motorbike crash in Cameroon. Reports from the country claim that a 17-year-old girl died from the injuries she suffered in the incident.

The details of the crash are unknown, but reports suggest it happened in the Omnisports district of Yaounde. Several Cameroonian publications, including and , say that Ngannou rushed the girl to hospital. However, she succumbed to her injuries at Yaounde General Hospital. The exact circumstances of the accident are conflicting, with some accounts claiming that Ngannou was riding a motorbike that struck the girl, while others suggest she was on a motorbike that was hit by a vehicle in which Ngannou was sitting.

It is claimed that the incident happened over the Easter weekend. The girl, who died after reportedly undergoing surgery, has been named locally as Ntsama Brigitte Manuella and one of the reports says Ngannou has been left 'devastated'.

It has also been claimed that Ngannou, who briefly switched UFC for boxing and is taking part in the Professional Fighters League, paid for the girl's medical expenses.

Express Sport has contacted Ngannou's representatives for comment.

Last April, Ngannou revealed that his 15-month-old son Kobe had died suddenly. Kobe is said to have received medical care after passing out twice due to malformation on his brain. After being treated, doctors believed that he would recover.

However, after Ngannou had travelled from Cameroon to Qatar for a training camp, he was informed that Kobe's condition had taken a turn for the worse. On a call with his brother, Ngannou overheard a nurse informing the family that his son had died.

Speaking on Joe Rogan's podcast, Ngannou candidly remembered: "[She said] 'Well, he's gone', Just like that. He's gone. What do you mean he's gone? How come he's gone? This kid was 15 months, he was bigger than 15 months. He was growing. He was the most joyful, happy kid around. What do you mean he's gone? Gone where? That was it."

Ngannou's last fight came in October 2024, knocking out Renan Ferreira to win the PFL heavyweight title on his return to MMA. He briefly became a boxer after leaving UFC, losing to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in high-profile Saudi Arabia bouts.