By Dylan Bettencourt
- Francis Ngannou has allegedly been linked to a crash in Cameroon that left a 17-year-old girl dead.
- Witnesses claimed Ngannou either hit the girl on a motorbike or was riding a bike himself.
Mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou has allegedly been caught up in a tragedy in Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé, after a crash that reportedly left a teenage girl dead.
The victim, 17-year-old Ntsama Brigitte Manuella, was rushed to hospital after the Easter weekend crash but allegedly died during surgery, according to The Cameroon Concord.
A whistleblower group called N’Zui Manto allegedly first revealed the incident. Reports have since allegedly been confirmed by Cameroon Online.
The exact details of the crash remain unclear. Some witnesses allegedly said Ngannou’s car hit a motorbike carrying the girl, while others claimed he was riding a bike himself when the crash happened.
Ngannou allegedly rushed Manuella to hospital himself. She reportedly underwent surgery for injuries to her arm and leg but allegedly never regained consciousness. Local outlet 237online questioned whether her death was due to her injuries or possible medical negligence.
Authorities and Ngannou’s camp have not yet responded to the claims.
Ngannou’s life story, from working in a sand mine in Cameroon to fighting for world titles, has inspired millions. But he has also allegedly faced deep personal loss: his 15-month-old son, Kobe, died in August 2024, a heartbreak Ngannou shared on social media.
Ngannou left the UFC in 2023 while still heavyweight champion and switched to boxing, where he narrowly lost to Tyson Fury and was later knocked out by Anthony Joshua.
He returned to mixed martial arts after that, scoring a knockout win in the Professional Fighters League.
Pictured above: Francis Ngannou.
Image source: Francis Ngannou X
