Francis Ngannou mentions Mike Tyson in second message since alleged involvement in fatal crash

Francis Ngannou has referenced life's disturbances in a powerful message following his alleged involvement in a fatal crash.

The former UFC heavyweight champion was reportedly involved in a tragic accident in his native Cameroon last month.

According to Cameroonian news outlets, the 38-year-old crashed into a young woman while riding his motorcycle.

The unnamed woman was reportedly hospitalised in the country's capital of Yaounde and had emergency surgery before dying from her injuries.

Sources suggest that Ngannou has been left, unsurprisingly, devastated after the accident, given he just lost his own 15-month-old son, Kobe, in April 2024 following an undiagnosed brain malformation.

Ngannou quoted Mike Tyson via Instagram on Friday, seemingly referring to the fatal crash.

"Life's difficult paths can sometimes be disturbing," he said.

"As Mike Tyson once said, 'When you're favoured by God, you're also favoured by the devil, but remember that God is the one who brings you to the dance.'

"The harder you fight to stay up, the harder life fights to take you down."

Ngannou had previously provided a statement to TMZ Sports at the beginning of this month, expressing his 'pain' for the family affected while offering his 'unwavering thoughts'.

"From the very beginning, I have been by the family's side, offering support, comfort, and deepest condolences during this time," he said.

"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."

Ngannou hasn't fought in MMA since October 2024, where he made his debut for the PFL in Saudi Arabia, defeating Renan Ferreira to win the promotion's heavyweight strap.

This came after he ventured into the boxing world for the first time, running Tyson Fury close on his debut in the sport, before being brutally knocked out by Anthony Joshua.

Ngannou left the UFC after defending his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in January 2022, citing contract disputes with the promotions CEO, Dana White, as a major driving force behind his decision.

Ngannou had been rumoured to fight current heavyweight champion Jon Jones for years, but the promotion pulled it off.

The Cameroonian has since joined UFC's biggest rivals, the PFL, who have allowed him to work his boxing career around being the promotion's biggest star.

PFL's founder Donn Davis has made it clear that Ngannou will favour a boxing fight before he goes back to MMA in his promotion.

PFL Managing Director James Frewin agreed when he spoke to talkSPORT.com about Ngannou's future.

"Look, I think Francis is an incredible athlete," he said. "He's a linear heavyweight champion of the world.

"He has ambitions in boxing and I think he has unfinished business in boxing tied to his Anthony Joshua loss.

"I think he wants to get that one back and that journey he's on. Donn is in conversations with Francis.

"He's an integral part of PFL Africa. We're launching that in July - he's the chairman - and we're incredibly excited about what's to come there too."

PFL Africa is being led by Ngannou, who is acting as the league's chairman, playing a central role in developing the next generation of African champions.

Mancunian Dakota Ditcheva will make her MMA return in the co-main event of PFL's debut international league in Africa come July.

The PFL are yet to comment on Ngannou's reported involvement in the crash.

Ngannou has been rumoured to step back into the ring with names like Deontay Wilder, before making a return to his primary sport of mixed martial arts.