Through three fights this year under the PFL banner, former UFC middleweight Impa Kasanganay had put together an inspiring Cinderella story.
A talented fighter on the wrong end of Joaquin Buckley’s knockout for the ages a few years back, Kasanganay wound up cast off by the UFC — but has always shown far more talent than his run inside the octagon reflected.
Earning his spot in the PFL season by way of the Challenger Series, Kasanganay continued his impressive run on Friday in San Antonio, Texas, in a light heavyweight semi-final match-up with Marthin Hamlet at 2023 PFL 7, the first of three playoff cards.
Hamlet shot for a takedown within the first 20 seconds of Friday’s light heavyweight semifinal. He would land it, but Kasanganay was right back up, fighting hands along the fence and looking to peel Norway’s Hamlet off him.
That proved to be easier said then done, with Hamlet eventually taking Kasanganay’s leg out from under him. Again, however, Kasanganay did not stay down long, and this time, he broke free of Hamlet — leading Marthin to charge across the cage, looking to fire a wild flying knee that Kasanganay wisely got out of the way of.
Moments later, Impa Kasanganay would get his own offense going — and put the fight away in the same breath. With pretty much his first significant strikes of the fight, Kasanganay landed a left and a right, with about four punches thrown in total. The right hit the jaw, a left connected as Hamlet was already on the way down — and Kasanganay had advanced to the 2023 PFL light heavyweight final. With a walk-off KO, no less.
“A year ago I was sleeping in my car,” Kasanganay said following the fight, looking to inspire anyone struggling in life. “The job’s not done,” he added — with one more fight between him and a million dollars.
Kasanganay will face the winner of Josh Silveira vs. Ty Flores, taking place later in the night Friday, in this year’s finale.
Official Result: Impa Kasanganay def. Marthin Hamlet by KO (strikes), Round 1, 2:24
