Impa Kasanganay enters with perspective

In fact Impa Kasanganay would like to make $1 million like he did in 2023 when he gained the PFL mild heavyweight championship, however he’s not complaining concerning the promotion’s new event format this yr.

Kasanganay (18-5) makes his 2025 debut Friday at PFL World Match 1 from Common Studios Orlando, the place he meets former Bellator title challenger Fabian Edwards (13-4) within the first spherical of the middleweight competitors. Not like his earlier two years with the promotion, there is no such thing as a common season and having to win to earn factors in hopes of constructing it to the playoffs.

And he relishes the straight-to-tournament format.

“For me, it’s like, I’ve acquired a job to do,” Kasanganay instructed MMA Junkie Radio. “I just like the format as a result of it’s one and carried out. … It’s win, and you progress ahead, stable. It makes it easy.”

In earlier years, fighters needed to struggle 4 instances in a span of roughly seven months to assert the $1 million grand prize. Now an eight-man event, it means solely three fights – and extra importantly one much less weight minimize – in that very same timeframe, which Kasanganay definitely welcomes.

The truth that the PFL decreased the grand prize to $500,000 isn’t a difficulty for Kasanganay, whose grateful for the chance to become profitable with every struggle the longer he lasts.

“I’m stoked,” Kasanganay mentioned. “You get to remain lively. That’s what’s cool concerning the PFL is you get to remain lively and preserve working and supply for your self and your loved ones.”

Kasanganay, 31, is 7-2 within the PFL since coming to the promotion in 2023. After claiming the 2023 title, he was runner up in 2024. This yr, he returns to middleweight with a sound perspective on each the event and his profession.

“It’s only one struggle at a time,” Kasanganay mentioned. “You don’t get to struggle without end. So I simply take a look at it like I get this time proper now, and I must profit from it.”

He continued, “All the main target is on this struggle. I’ve been by way of this earlier than. In fact you all the time have your eyes on the rise, and also you’re grateful for what you might do, all the opposite bonuses that include it. However I actually do stay my life everyday. You’re by no means promised tomorrow, and also you don’t get to struggle without end. In the future these interviews gained’t occur, so I’m simply having fun with as we speak for as we speak. I do know on struggle day, I’m making ready for the victory. That’s what I’m trying ahead to, however I’m actually simply having fun with each single day.”