Impa Kasanganay’s PFL season has most certainly been going to plan. Three wins, dating back to his Challenger Series fight, and this Friday, he faces Marthin Hamlet in one of the light heavyweight semifinals.
A former middleweight and even welterweight, the move to 205 pounds has Kasanganay (13-3) both feeling good, and recognizing that forgoing gruelling weight cuts may help his career longevity.
“For sure. If I could fight every weekend, I would, I love it. When I think about my career, the longevity of it, the weight cuts probably aren’t the healthiest thing for us,” Kasanganay, 29, told Cageside Press in a recent exclusive interview. “No matter how great we do a weight cut, we and go and fight the next day. So those little details — I can enjoy the process of food and things I like, obviously not being gluttonous.” Now, Kasanganay can get right to the fight, while having a better understanding of his body and brain.
His journey through his first PFL season, meanwhile, is “me living answered prayers,” said Kasanganay. “Speaking things into existence, putting the work in, having the faith and putting the work together. It’s awesome.”
When we spoke to Impa Kasanganay ahead of his PFL Challenger Series fight, he spoke of a desire to go all the way in the season, then explore — potentially even riding across Africa on his motorcycle. That’s a passion of Kasanganay, who has had some impressive adventures on his bike over the years. He’s just two fights away from the goal now.
“Get this victory next Friday. One fight at a time,” Kasanganay said of the plan moving forward. When he’s not fighting, he’ll go for a ride, turn his phone off, pray, then come back for the championship. “I’m going to give that belt to my mom and dad, my cousins, whoever is going to take it for me, and I’m going to ride, I’m going to ride, I’m going to ride as far as I possibly can.” Mom and dad might even go along for the ride, though not on motorcycles — they’ll take an RV.
A lot has changed this PFL season, and the introduction of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to oversee the PFL’s drug testing program was a big change for many. Though not so much for Kasanganay, who is very familiar with USADA from his UFC days. And he’s not overly upset to see the return of random testing and early morning visits from USADA officials.
“I’m excited about USADA. It’s more so that PFL is looking to do it professional. You saw how the UFC grew once they had it. Of course there are fighters who are cheating, they got busted and all that stuff. And then USADA, you saw people— the cream rises to the top. A rising tide raises all ships. It made the overall standard of what it’s about better so you can get better. Overall, when you go towards excellence, excellence attracts excellence.”
When it comes to Marthin Hamlet this Friday, Kasanganay is expecting him to bring a fight. More than just a fight, really. “I expect him to be in a battle. Honestly, expect a battle, expect a victory. And don’t expect a victory without a battle. I know he wants it. I know he wants to come bring it. That’s what’s awesome.”
Kasanganay is familiar with Hamlet from his time with the Blackzillians. “I know he’s a solid fighter, it’s a solid coach that he has, and all the people he’s around. I’m looking forward to the opportunity and the honor to have this as a feather in my cap. I like it. I respect him.”
The other side of the light heavyweight bracket sees Josh Silveira take on Ty Flores. “That’s an interesting fight. I find a lot more people are counting Ty Flores out than need to,” Kasanganay replied when asked for his prediction. “Josh has been showing that he’s been growing. Josh is an awesome guy, he’s been working hard, I like what he was doing last fight, getting his exits and using his wrestling to find where he likes to be in a fight.”
“I still think Josh can get it, but I don’t discredit Ty’s doggedness,” Kasanganay added.
Impa is happy to fight either athlete in the final, mind you. “I think that fight’s a toss up. We’ll see, no disrespect to either guy. I’ve been so focused on my fight that I’m willing to fight whoever, either one of them when the final comes. I just want to fight the better one of the two. Whoever the better one is, that’s who I want to fight at the final. And that’s all respect to both of them, because they’re good men.”
It’s been an exciting time of late for the PFL, with USADA coming in, and the signing of Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou. There have also been rumors that the promotion will acquire rival Bellator MMA, and that’s something Kasanganay is excited to see as well.
“Remember when Strikeforce was bought [by the UFC], and how it was a big blow-up? I get to be a big part of that.” Robbie Lawler, Kasanganay pointed out, “had an excellent career, he was part of Strikeforce, when it was bought. I get to be part of that it my own way. I’ve seen it. If you know your history, you know where you’re going. If you know your past and you know where you came from, you have a great direction of where you’re going to.”
“We’re going in the right direction. I’m so grateful to be a part of this, and to have it in my own life.”
Watch our full interview with 2023 PFL 7 light heavyweight Impa Kasanganay above.
