Impa Kasanganay

Impa Armand Kasanganay (born January 17, 1994) is an American mixed martial artist who currently 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). As of January 27, 2026, he is #3 in the PFL middleweight rankings.

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. He started playing American football his senior year.

Kasanganay played collegiate football at Lenoir-Rhyne University, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Kasanganay made his UFC debut against Maki Pitolo on August 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Rakić. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Kasanganay, as a replacement for Abu Azaitar, faced Joaquin Buckley on October 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen. Buckley won the fight in spectacular fashion via spinning back kick knockout in the second round.

Kasanganay faced Sasha Palatnikov on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland. After hurting Palatnikov, he secured a rear naked choke winning the fight via submission in the second round.

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

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

Post-UFC career On January 19, 2022, news surfaced that Kasanganay had signed a contract with Eagle Fighting Championship. He faced Raimond Magomedaliev at Eagle FC 46 on March 11, 2022. 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. Kasanganay lost the fight via split decision.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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. He lost the closely contested bout via split decision.

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

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

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

In the final, Kasanganay faced Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov on November 29, 2024, at PFL 10. He lost the bout by knockout in the first round.

2025 season On January 15, 2025, it was announced that Kasanganay joined the 2025 PFL World Tournament in a middleweight division.

In the quarterfinal, Kasanganay faced Fabian Edwards on April 18, 2025, at PFL 3. Initially Edwards withdrew from the tournament for unknown reasons and was briefly been replaced by Jordan Newman. Subsequently, it was announced that Edwards was pushed back in his original spot. Kasanganay lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Kasanganay faced Andrew Sanchez on August 21, 2025, at PFL 10. He won the bout via technical knockout in the third round.

2026 Kasanganay faced Dalton Rosta on March 28, 2026, at PFL Pittsburgh. He won the fight via knockout in round one.

Replacing an injured Costello van Steenis, Kasanganay faced Johnny Eblen for the interim PFL Middleweight Championship on July 18, 2026, at PFL Austin. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.

Championships and accomplishments Professional Fighters League 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion MMA Fighting 2023 First Team MMA All-Star

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Johnny Eblen TKO (elbow and punches) PFL Austin: Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2

Austin, Texas, United States Win

Dalton Rosta KO (punches) PFL Pittsburgh: Eblen vs. Battle

Moon Township, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Andrew Sanchez TKO (punches) PFL 10 (2025)

Hollywood, Florida, United States Loss

Fabian Edwards TKO (punches) PFL 3 (2025)

Orlando, Florida, United States Loss

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov KO (punches) PFL 10 (2024)

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Win

Joshua Silveira Decision (unanimous) PFL 8 (2024)

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Jakob Nedoh TKO (doctor stoppage) PFL 5 (2024)

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Win

Alex Polizzi TKO (punches) PFL 2 (2024)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Johnny Eblen Decision (split) PFL vs. Bellator

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Win

Joshua Silveira Decision (unanimous) PFL 10 (2023)

Washington, D.C., United States Win

Marthin Hamlet KO (punches) PFL 7 (2023)

San Antonio, Texas, United States Win

Tim Caron Submission (arm-triangle choke) PFL 4 (2023)

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Cory Hendricks Decision (unanimous) PFL 1 (2023)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Osama Elseady TKO (punches) PFL Challenger Series 15

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Jared Gooden TKO (punches) XMMA 5

Columbia, South Carolina, United States Loss

Raimond Magomedaliev Decision (split) Eagle FC 46

Miami, Florida, United States Loss

Carlston Harris TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Sasha Palatnikov Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Joaquin Buckley KO (spinning back kick) UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Maki Pitolo Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Rakić

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Anthony Adams Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 28

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Kailan Hill Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 26

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Devorious Tubbs Decision (split) LFA 71

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Roger Pratcher Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Rumble On The River 2

North Augusta, South Carolina, United States Win

John Lewis TKO (retirement) Island Fights 54

Panama City Beach, Florida, United States Win

Dahlen Wilson Decision (unanimous) Island Fights 53

Fort Walton Beach, Florida, United States Win

Garrett Fosdyck Decision (split) 864 FC: Showcase MMA

Johnson City, Tennessee, United States