5 Things You Might Not Know About Impa Kasanganay

Impa Kasanganay stands within reach of a Professional Fighters League repeat.

The 30-year-old Floridian will duke it out with Turkmenistan’s Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov for a seven-figure payday when their light heavyweight final helps anchor the PFL 2024 Season Championships on Nov. 29 at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Kasanganay has rattled off nine victories across his past 10 appearances, a contentious decision defeat to the unbeaten Johnny Eblen his only misstep. He captured the company’s 205-pound championship a year ago, banking a life-changing $1 million grand prize in the process. Kasanganay then followed regular-season wins over Alex Polizzi and Jakob Nedoh with a unanimous verdict over Joshua Silveira in their Aug. 16 semifinal to put himself in position to defend his title.

As Kasanganay makes final preparations for his upcoming showdown with Yagshimuradov in the Middle East, here are five things you might not now about him:

1. He leveraged athletics and academics to his advantage.

Kasanganay played football at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting.

2. He made up for lost time.

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native did not start his formal mixed martial arts training until his senior year of college. Kasanganay made his professional debut at the age of 25, as he earned a split decision over Garrett Fosdyck under the 864 Fighting Championship banner on Jan. 25, 2019. The event was held at a Holiday Inn in Johnson City, Tennessee. Kasanganay won the first eight bouts of his career.

3. His moniker carries special weight.

Kasanganay’s nickname—“Tshilobo”—means “warrior under God” in Bantu. It was given to him by his father, who emigrated to the United States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

4. Proven voices surround him.

The Kill Cliff Fight Club in Deerfield Beach, Florida, serves as the base of operation for the two-time Dana White’s Contender Series alum. There, Kasanganay trains under coaches Henri Hooft and Greg Jones, all while putting his skills to the test alongside a host of finely tuned stablemates, including former Bellator MMA champions Michael Chandler and Jason Jackson.

5. Trial and error was part of his development.

Kasanganay has competed in three different weight classes during his 22-fight career. In addition to his current work as a light heavyweight, he has fought as a welterweight and as a middleweight.