Impa Kasanganay`s journey to becoming a PFL world champion and millionaire is an incredible tale of resilience. Before achieving these heights, he faced significant hardship, including a period of homelessness.
Despite reaching the UFC through Dana White`s Contender Series and competing against top fighters like Joaquin Buckley, Kasanganay spent six months without a home as he worked to rebuild his MMA career. His perseverance paid off when, a year later, he triumphed in the 2023 PFL Season, earning a $1 million prize and opening up new opportunities beyond fighting.
Kasanganay, who now holds an MBA from Harvard and is part of an athlete program at the prestigious accounting firm EY, is set to compete against Fabian Edwards in Orlando to launch the 2024 Global Season. However, his aspirations extend far beyond the world of MMA.
Overcoming Hardship: Impa Kasanganay`s Motivation During Homelessness
After his departure from the UFC, Impa Kasanganay faced the challenge of restarting his MMA career. He navigated through various promotions before landing in the PFL Challenger Series. His success there earned him a spot in the 2023 PFL season, culminating in his championship win and millionaire status.
Last year, he narrowly missed a second consecutive PFL title and was also close to defeating Bellator champion Johnny Eblen in Saudi Arabia, according to judges` scores. Now, he is eager to face Fabian Edwards, brother of former UFC champion Leon Edwards, and a formidable opponent from a renowned fighting family.
“When I first started training, in the early hours of the morning, I would pray for the kind of success I have now,” Kasanganay shared. “I was sleeping in my car before training sessions, and at one point, my car was my home.”
“These are the very things you dream of – competing at the highest levels. To be involved in this, to have the chance and the honor to pursue these major goals, it’s amazing to me. I always envision myself as a hunter, wanting to own a ranch and grow my own food.”
“There’s something profound about securing a significant victory, providing for your family. It’s a fundamental aspect of being a man, in my opinion.”
“You strive for dominance, not just a good performance or a fight. You aim to overpower your opponent and move forward. That`s why I`m interested in fighting someone like Fabian. He has faced top competitors like Johnny Eblen, Mike Shipman, Costello Van Steenis, and many more.”
“He’s also benefited from excellent mentorship, as seen in how his family supported his brother Leon to win the UFC title. That’s truly special. I intend to win, shake his hand, and continue my journey, adding a significant achievement to my career.”
Billion-Dollar Ambitions: Kasanganay`s Financial Goals Beyond Fighting
While many fighters aspire to earn seven figures and win a world title during their careers, Kasanganay has much larger ambitions. Having completed his MBA at Harvard last year, he is now focused on making a significant impact in the finance world through EY`s program for elite athletes.
“After my last fight, which I lost, I realized it wasn`t truly representative of my potential,” he explained. “Now, it’s about grounding myself and moving forward. Over the past six months, I’ve been focused on personal growth, strengthening my faith, life planning, and business development, all while staying active in training. Now, it’s time to reap the rewards of this effort.”
“For me, fighting is a short-term endeavor. My ultimate goal is to achieve multi-trillionaire status. While a million dollars is substantial, especially compared to the earnings of many, I aim to be in a different financial realm.”
“I want to be in discussions with individuals who are making deals worth hundreds of millions or billions of dollars. With that level of financial capability, you can positively impact countless lives, including your family, yourself, and many others.”
“I approach every challenge with the goal of excelling. Earning a million dollars doesn`t make you the best at making money. Becoming a champion signifies being the best fighter. In everything I pursue, I strive for excellence.”
“This ambition drives me in business, in life, and gives me a unique purpose. You can transform your life, your family’s future, and the lives of others. However, when it comes to fighting, my motivation isn`t primarily financial. I aspire to be the ultimate warrior.”
