Before becoming a PFL world champion and a millionaire, Impa Kasanganay experienced homelessness, living in his car.
Despite reaching the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series and competing against top fighters, Kasanganay spent six months without a home while working to rebuild his MMA career. Just a year later, he triumphed in the PFL 2023 Season, earning a $1 million prize and opening doors to opportunities beyond fighting.
What Motivated Impa Kasanganay During Homelessness
After leaving the UFC, Impa Kasanganay had to restart his career. Following fights in various promotions, he joined the PFL Challenger Series. His success there led him to the 2023 PFL season, where he ultimately became a millionaire champion.
Last year, he narrowly missed winning again and was also very close to defeating Bellator champion Johnny Eblen in Saudi Arabia, according to judges` scores. Now, he is excited to face Fabian Edwards, from the famous fighting Edwards family, which includes former UFC champion Leon Edwards.
“When I was training at one in the morning in the beginning, this is what I prayed for,” he shared. “I was sleeping in my car before training, and then I actually lived in my car.”
“These are the things you dream of – fighting at the highest level… To be part of this and have the chance, the honor, and the privilege to pursue big goals? That’s amazing to me. I always imagine myself hunting, owning a ranch, and growing my own food.”
“There’s something special about getting that big win and providing for your family. I think that’s part of what it means to be a man.”
“You want to dominate; you don’t just want to compete, you want to defeat your opponent completely and move forward. That’s why I’m interested in fighting someone like Fabian. He has fought some of the best, including Johnny Eblen twice, Mike Shipman, and Costello Van Steenis.”
“And he has trained with very intelligent people. The way his family supported his brother Leon to win the title is remarkable. I aim to win, shake his hand, and move on, but beating him would be a significant achievement.”
Impa Kasanganay Aims for ‘Billion Dollar Deals’ in Finance
While many fighters dream of earning seven figures and winning a world title in their entire career, Kasanganay has much bigger goals. He earned an MBA from Harvard last year and now wants to make an impact in the finance world through EY’s program for elite athletes.
“I lost my last fight, and I knew that wasn’t my best,” he said. “Now, it’s about grounding myself and moving forward. So, for the past six months, I’ve been focused on personal growth, faith, life, and business, while staying active. Now, it’s time to enjoy the results of that effort.”
“For me, fighting is short-term. My goal is to become a multi-trillionaire. A million dollars is good, especially compared to people making tens or hundreds of thousands. But I don’t want to stay in that category.”
“I want to be involved with people who are making deals worth hundreds of millions or billions of dollars. With that kind of money, you can help many people, including your family, yourself, and many others.”
“For me, every challenge is about being the best. If you make a million dollars, are you the best at making money? No. If you become a champion, you are the best fighter. So, in everything I do, I want to be the best.”
“This gives me a challenge in business and in life, something meaningful. You can change your life, your family`s life, and the lives of others. But when it comes to fighting, it’s not just about the money. I want to be the ultimate warrior.”
