Impa Kasanganay Explained

Impa Kasanganay
Other Names:Tshilobo
Birth Date:17 January 1994
Birth Place:Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Weight Lb:205
Reach:75 in[1]
Fighting Out Of:Deerfield Beach, Florida[2]
Team:Kill Cliff FC (2021–present)[3]
Gym-O (2019–2021)
Years Active:2019–present
Mma Kowin:5
Mma Subwin:4
Mma Decwin:9
Mma Koloss:2
Mma Decloss:2
Sherdog:310489

Impa Kasanganay (born January 17, 1994) is an American mixed martial artist[4] who competes in the Light heavyweight division of Professional Fighters League (PFL). He formerly competed in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background

Born to Congolese immigrants in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before moving to North Carolina at the age of 12. He attended Providence High School in Charlotte, where he started playing American football during his senior year.[5] [6] Kasanganay earned a scholarship to Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2016, before turning his attention to the cage. During the beginnings of his MMA career, Impa worked as an accountant and holds three degrees, an associate degree in Business Administration and accounting, a Bachelor's in Accounting and a Bachelor's in Finance.[7] [4] [8]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Making his MMA debut at 864 Fighting Championship, Impa won his first bout via split decision against Garett Fosdyck. Kasanganay would go on to win his next 4 bouts on the regional scene, defeating Dahlen Willson at Island Fights 53 by unanimous decision, tapping out John Lewis in the first round at Island Fights 54, submitting Roger Pratcher via rear-naked choke in the first round at KOTC Rumble On The River 2, and then finally defeating Devorious Tubbs via split decision in his one and only outing with Legacy Fighting Alliance at LFA 71 on July 12, 2019.[9]

Dana White’s Contender Series

Kasanganay was invited to Dana White's Contender Series 26 on August 27, 2019, where he defeated Kailan Hill via unanimous decision.[10]

After not gaining a UFC contract on his first try, Impa was invited back to Dana White's Contender Series 28 on August 11, 2020, where he defeated Anthony Adams via unanimous decision. With the win, he received a UFC contract.[11]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Kasanganay made his UFC debut against Maki Pitolo on August 29, 2020, at .[12] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[13]

Kasanganay, as a replacement for Abu Azaitar, faced Joaquin Buckley on October 11, 2020, at . Buckley won the fight in spectacular fashion via spinning back kick knockout in the second round.[14]

Kasanganay faced Sasha Palatnikov on April 10, 2021, at .[15] After hurting Palatnikov, he secured a rear naked choke winning the fight via submission in the second round.[16]

Kasanganay faced Carlston Harris on September 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192.[17] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[18]

On December 2, 2021, it was announced that Kasanganay was no longer on the UFC roster.[19]

Post-UFC career

On January 19, 2022, news surfaced that Kasanganay had signed a contract with Eagle Fighting Championship.[20] He faced Raimond Magomedaliev at Eagle FC 46 on March 11, 2022.[21] At weigh-ins, Kasanganay weighed in at 179.2 pounds, 3.2 pounds over the super welterweight non-title limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and he was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Raimond.[22] Kasanganay lost the fight via split decision.[23]

Kasanganay faced Jared Gooden at XMMA 5 on July 23, 2022. He won the fight by a first-round TKO stoppage.[24]

Professional Fighters League

Kasanganay faced Osama Elseady on March 10, 2023 at PFL Challenger Series 15, winning the bout by TKO at the end of the first round, securing a PFL contract.[25]

Kasanganay returned to action three weeks later as he faced Cory Hendricks at PFL 1 on April 1, 2023.[26] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[27]

2023 season

Stepping in for a suspended fighter, Kasanganay entered the 2023 season against Tim Caron on June 8, 2023 at PFL 4.[28] He won the fight via an arm-triangle choke submission in the second round.[29]

In the semi-finals, he faced Marthin Hamlet at PFL 7 on August 4, 2023, winning the fight via knockout in the first round to advance to the finals.[30]

In the final, Kasanganay faced Josh Silveira on November 24, 2023 at PFL 10.[31] He won the fight via unanimous decision to win the 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Championship and $1 million collective dollar prize.[32]

2024 season

Kasanganay faced Bellator Middleweight Champion Johnny Eblen in a three round non-title crossover fight, on February 24, 2024, at PFL vs. Bellator.[33] He lost the closely contested bout via split decision.[34] [35]

Kasanganay started the 2024 season against Alex Polizzi on April 12, 2024 at PFL 2.[36] He won the bout by first-round technical knockout.[37]

Kasanganay next faced Jakob Nedoh in the co-main event of PFL 5 on June 21, 2024.[38] [39] He won the fight via TKO at the end of the second round.[40]

Kasanganay faced Josh Silveira in the semifinals of the 2024 Light Heavyweight tournament on August 16, 2024 at PFL 8.[41] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[42]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Win|align=center|18–4|Josh Silveira|Decision (unanimous)|PFL 8 (2024)||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Hollywood, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|17–4|Jakob Nedoh|TKO (doctor stoppage)|PFL 5 (2024)||align=center|2|align=center|5:00|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States||-|Win|align=center|16–4|Alex Polizzi|TKO (punches)|PFL 2 (2024)||align=center|1|align=center|3:39|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|15–4|Johnny Eblen|Decision (split)|PFL vs. Bellator||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Riyadh, Saudi Arabia||-|Win|align=center|15–3|Josh Silveira|Decision (unanimous)|PFL 10 (2023)||align=center|5|align=center|5:00|Washington, D.C., United States||-|Win|align=center|14–3|Marthin Hamlet|KO (punches)|PFL 7 (2023)||align=center|1|align=center|2:24|San Antonio, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|13–3|Tim Caron|Submission (arm-triangle choke)|PFL 4 (2023)||align=center|2|align=center|3:52|Atlanta, Georgia, United States||-|Win|align=center|12–3|Cory Hendricks|Decision (unanimous)|PFL 1 (2023)||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|11–3|Osama Elseady|TKO (punches)|PFL Challenger Series 15||align=center|1|align=center|4:15|Orlando, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|10–3|Jared Gooden|TKO (punches)|XMMA 5||align=center|1|align=center|3:16|Columbia, South Carolina, United States||-|Loss|align=center|9–3|Raimond Magomedaliev|Decision (split)|Eagle FC 46||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Miami, Florida, United States||-|Loss|align=center|9–2|Carlston Harris|TKO (punches)|||align=center|1|align=center|2:38|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|9–1|Sasha Palatnikov|Submission (rear-naked choke)|||align=center|2|align=center|0:26|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|8–1|Joaquin Buckley|KO (spinning back kick)|||align=center|2|align=center|2:03|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates||-|Win|align=center|8–0|Maki Pitolo|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|7–0|Anthony Adams|Decision (unanimous)|Dana White's Contender Series 28||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|6–0|Kailan Hill|Decision (unanimous)|Dana White's Contender Series 26||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|5–0|Devorious Tubbs|Decision (split)|LFA 71||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Atlanta, Georgia, United States||-|Win|align=center|4–0|Roger Pratcher|Submission (rear-naked choke)|KOTC: Rumble On The River 2||align=center|1|align=center|4:30|North Augusta, South Carolina, United States||-|Win|align=center|3–0|John Lewis|Submission (verbal)|Island Fights 54||align=center|1|align=center|1:58|Panama City Beach, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|2–0|Dahlen Wilson|Decision (unanimous)|Island Fights 53||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Fort Walton Beach, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Garrett Fosdyck|Decision (split)|864 Fighting Championship: Showcase MMA||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Johnson City, Tennessee, United States|[43]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stats UFC. 2020-10-04. ufcstats.com.
  2. Web site: Behunin . Alex . With New Camp And New Weight Class, Best Is Yet To Come For UFC's Impa Kasanganay . Cageside Press . 8 April 2021 . 14 March 2021.
  3. Web site: Impa Kasanganay: Letting The Past Be The Past. April 9, 2021. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Thomas Gerbasi.
  4. Web site: Going Five Rounds with Impa Kasanganay . Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics . 8 April 2021 . en.
  5. Zeltzer, Benjamin. (November 23, 2023). From Sleeping in his Car to Competing for $1 Million: The Impa Kasanganay Story. verdictmma.com. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  6. https://lrbears.com/sports/football/roster/impa-kasanganay/656 Football - Senior-Rhyne University Athletics
  7. Web site: Interview With Impa Kasanganay . Bloody Canvas . 8 April 2021 . 20 October 2020.
  8. Web site: Get to know Dana White's Contender Series fighter Impa "Tshilobo" Kasanganay FightBookMMA . FightBookMMA . 8 April 2021 . 10 August 2020.
  9. Web site: Painter . Myles . Across the Pond Profile: UFC fighter Impa Kasanganay MMA UK . MMAUK . 8 April 2021 . 13 August 2020.
  10. Web site: Dana White's Contender Series results: TJ Brown, Peter Barrett, Dusko Todorovic signed on season finale. Lee. Alexander K.. 2019-08-27. MMA Fighting. 2019-08-27.
  11. Web site: All 5 winners earn UFC contracts at DWCS Season 4: Week 2. 2020-08-11. MMA Fighting. 2020-08-11.
  12. Web site: Kasanganay earns UFC contract; first fight set for Aug. 29. lrbears.com. Staff. 2020-08-13. 2020-08-24.
  13. Web site: Bitter. Shawn. 2020-08-29. UFC Vegas 8 Results: Impa Kasanganay Defeats Maki Pitolo in Debut. 2020-08-30. Cageside Press. en-US.
  14. Web site: Inside the viral knockout that made UFC middleweight Joaquin Buckley 'immortal'. 2020-11-19. ESPN. en. 2020-11-19.
  15. Web site: Marcel Dorff. 2021-02-25. Impa Kasanganay vs. Sasha Palatnikov toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 10 april. 2022-01-30. MMA DNA. nl.
  16. Web site: Anderson . Jay . UFC Vegas 23 Results: Impa Kasanganay Bounces Back, Submits Sasha Palatnikov . Cageside Press . 10 April 2021 . 10 April 2021.
  17. Web site: Impa Kasanganay vs. Carlston Harris set for Sept. 18 UFC Fight Night event. mmafighting.com. Guilherme Cruz. 2021-06-30. 2021-06-30.
  18. Web site: Evanoff. Josh. 2021-09-18. UFC Vegas 37 Results: Carlston Harris Finishes Impa Kasanganay. 2021-09-18. Cageside Press. en-US.
  19. Web site: Martin. Damon. 2021-12-02. Impa Kasanganay released by UFC almost 3 months after second octagon loss. 2021-12-03. MMA Fighting. en.
  20. Web site: Ex-UFC fighter Impa Kasanganay inks deal with Eagle FC, expected to debut in March. January 19, 2022. MMAjunkie.com. Farah Hannoun.
  21. Web site: Martin. Damon. 2022-02-14. Impa Kasanganay books first post-UFC fight against Raimond Magomedaliev at Eagle FC 46. 2022-02-15. MMA Fighting. en.
  22. Web site: Heck . Mike . 2022-03-10 . Eagle FC 46 weigh-in results: Kevin Lee, Diego Sanchez hit the mark for 165-pound headliner . 2022-03-11 . MMA Fighting . en.
  23. Web site: Martin . Damon . 2022-03-11 . Eagle FC 46 results: Kevin Lee wins unanimous decision over Diego Sanchez but likely suffers major knee injury . 2022-03-12 . MMA Fighting . en.
  24. Web site: King . Nolan . 2022-07-24 . 10 ex-UFC fighters pick up four wins, six losses at XMMA 5 . 2022-08-27 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  25. Web site: Sherdog.com . Light Heavyweight Impa Kasanganay Secures Contract on PFL Challenger Series 7 . 2023-03-11 . Sherdog . en.
  26. Web site: PFL 1 . www.pflmma.com . 2 February 2023.
  27. Web site: Sherdog.com . 2023 PFL 1 Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring . 2023-04-02 . Sherdog . en.
  28. Web site: Lee . Alexander K. . 2023-05-12 . PFL announces second-half event lineups following 9 fighters receiving drug test suspensions . 2023-05-14 . MMA Fighting . en.
  29. News: PFL 4 results: Jesus Pinedo stuns Brendan Loughnane with first-round knockout . MMAFighting. June 9, 2023. June 9, 2023.
  30. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2023-08-04 . PFL 7: Impa Kasanganay Drops Marthin Hamlet with Walk-Off KO, Advances to Final . 2023-08-06 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  31. Web site: 2023-08-25 . Meet the 2023 PFL finalists, including three potential repeat $1 million winners . 2023-09-14 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  32. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2023-11-25 . Impa Kasanganay Shuts Out Josh Silveira, Wins PFL Championship and $1,000,000 . 2023-11-26 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  33. Web site: 2024-01-16 . Bellator MMA vs. PFL supercard: Four champion vs. champion fights set for February in Saudi Arabia . 2024-01-16 . CBSSports.com . en.
  34. Web site: PFL vs. Bellator: Champions results: Johnny Eblen rallies to win split over Impa Kasanganay . sports.yahoo.com . en.
  35. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2024-02-24 . PFL vs. Bellator: Johnny Eblen Earns Nod Over Impa Kasanganay in Card's Best Battle . 2024-02-25 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  36. Web site: Cruz . Guilherme . 2024-03-11 . PFL announces full line-ups for first 3 season events, 8 ex-Bellator champions debut . 2024-04-08 . MMA Fighting . en.
  37. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2024-04-13 . PFL 2: Impa Kasanganay Lights Up Alex Polizzi, Secures First Round TKO . 2024-04-13 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  38. News: Iskenderov . Parviz . Clay Collard vs Mads Burnell tops PFL 5 Salt Lake City in June . FIGHTMAG . 30 April 2024.
  39. News: Guillen . Adam . PFL Salt Lake City fight card features Collard-Burnell, Kasanganay-Nedoh . MMAmania.com . 29 April 2024 . en.
  40. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2024-06-22 . PFL 5: Impa Kasanganay Clinches Playoff Spot, Lands Ferocious Finish of Jakob Nedoh . 2024-08-04 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  41. Web site: Staff . 2024-07-09 . Main Cards Announced for All Three 2024 PFL Playoff Events . 2024-08-05 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  42. Web site: PFL Hollywood: Kasanganay Headed to Second Straight Final, Will Meet Yagshimuradov. cagesidepress.com. Jay Anderson. 2024-08-16. 2024-08-17.
  43. Web site: Sherdog.com. Impa Kasanganay. 2020-08-07. Sherdog.

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