Impa
Kasanganay is one of a rare breed of fighters that can
remarkably move across multiple weight classes.
The most memorable moment of Kasangnay’s
Ultimate Fighting Championship career, a spinning back kick
knockout loss against Joaquin
Buckley came in a middleweight clash. Kasanganay then dropped
to welterweight, won one, lost one and then was released.
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After another forgettable loss against Raimond
Magomedaliev under the Eagle FC banner, “Tshilobo” signed with
a
Professional Fighters League, where he won the 2023 season
light heavyweight championship. Kasanganay then went on to call out
PFL’s star signing, former UFC heavyweight king Francis
Ngannou.
Kasanganay will now move down to 185 pounds to face Bellator
MMA middleweight king Johnny
Eblen at the
PFL Champs vs. Bellator Champs card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on
Feb. 24.
In an appearance at the PFL vs. Bellator champs press conference
Wednesday, the Congolese American reiterated his focus on being a
multiple division champion.
“I respect Johnny and he’s a good fighter and he’s done great work.
But for me, if you want to be the best you got to fight the best
wherever they are at. He’s been the king of the Bellator
middleweight division and for me my focus is to be multi-class
champion and this is my opportunity to do that. To me, when you see
a great fighter across the ring, that’s what gets me going and gets
me excited. It’s great opportunity and honor. Fighters fight and
that’s what I do.”
While Kasanganay is riding a six-fight win streak, his upcoming
opponent has never tasted defeat. For “Pressure,” the face on the
other side of the SmartCage hardly matters.
“Every win is a win at the end of the day,” Eblen said. “I don’t
focus too much on the caliber of the win. This was an opportunity
that was presented to me and I pride myself on always being ready
and always willing to fight. Impa’s name popped in and I’m just
down to scrap, bro. I’m here to get in a fistfight.
“I just train to get better every day. Impa’s name popped in the
hat and I am ready for that challenge. He’s a PFL champion at 205.
He’s tough, durable and a good fighter. I feel like just continuing
to win is great and that’s what I am going to continue to do as
long as I fight.”