Impa Kasanganay enters 2025 PFL World Tournament 3 with perspective, positivity

USA Today

15-04-2025

Of course Impa Kasanganay would love to make $1 million like he did in 2023 when he won the PFL light heavyweight championship, but he's not complaining about the promotion's new tournament format this year.
Kasanganay (18-5) makes his 2025 debut Friday at PFL World Tournament 1 from Universal Studios Orlando, where he meets former Bellator title challenger Fabian Edwards (13-4) in the first round of the middleweight competition. Unlike his previous two years with the promotion, there is no regular season and having to win to earn points in hopes of making it to the playoffs.
And he relishes the straight-to-tournament format.
'For me, it's like, I've got a job to do,' Kasanganay told MMA Junkie Radio. 'I like the format because it's one and done. … It's win, and you move forward, solid. It makes it simple.'
In previous years, fighters had to fight four times in a span of roughly seven months to claim the $1 million grand prize. Now an eight-man tournament, it means only three fights – and more importantly one less weight cut – in that same timeframe, which Kasanganay certainly welcomes.
The fact that the PFL reduced the grand prize to $500,000 isn't an issue for Kasanganay, whose grateful for the opportunity to make money with each fight the longer he lasts.
'I'm stoked,' Kasanganay said. 'You get to stay active. That's what's cool about the PFL is you get to stay active and keep working and provide for yourself and your family.'
Kasanganay, 31, is 7-2 in the PFL since coming to the promotion in 2023. After claiming the 2023 title, he was runner up in 2024. This year, he returns to middleweight with a sound perspective on both the tournament and his career.
'It's just one fight at a time,' Kasanganay said. 'You don't get to fight forever. So I just look at it like I get this time right now, and I need to make the most of it.'
He continued, 'All the focus is on this fight. I've been through this before. Of course you always have your eyes on the rise, and you're grateful for what you could do, all the other bonuses that come with it. But I really do live my life day to day. You're never promised tomorrow, and you don't get to fight forever. One day these interviews won't happen, so I'm just enjoying today for today. I know on fight day, I'm preparing for the victory. That's what I'm looking forward to, but I'm literally just enjoying every single day.'