'No stupid purchases'… PFL champion who went from homeless to millionaire reveals first thing he'll buy with second $1million check
Yesterday at 06:21 PM
Ahead of his second $1million tournament championship on Friday night, Impa Kasanganay is only going to make one big purchase with his winnings.
The PFL star is taking on his fifth fight since the beginning of last year, and has transformed his life from homelessness to becoming a millionaire by winning last season’s light-heavyweight title. Between seasons, he took on Bellator champion Johnny Eblen in a lucrative Saudi Arabian bout this February.
And now he is set for his second world title final on Friday night back in the Kingdom’s capital city of Riyadh. He takes on Dovlet Yagshimuradov, and insists he could have fought even more during his unprecedented period of activity.
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Impa Kasanganay maintains a connection to homeless past after winning $1million prize
In a recent video with on PFL social media, Impa Kasanganay returned to the area where he used to camp after going broke when he was released from the UFC. And he insists it is vitally important that he maintain a link to his difficult past now that he has found success.
“There’s a verse I like that says ‘be joyful when you face trials of any kind’, so that breeds perseverance and endurance,” he told Bloody Elbow in an exclusive chat. “I believe people need that and someone told me once ‘fighters are the entertainer’s entertainer’.
“Fighters help people, you watch us go into battle and everyone has felt something like that kind of during their life, right? They’re battling with something and they can relate to that.
“I think God made me go through those trials. Did I choose to go through that? Did I really want to live in my car for a year? The year was cool and the car was alright but I think when you go through moments like that it’s not just about you.
“God uses you to reflect him and work on your life. Now people get to use that moment as an inspiration and it’s a great honor to get to fight in Riyadh, the United States, Africa and beyond. I take that as a great responsibility.
Impa Kasanganay will buy a motorcycle with second $1million PFL prize
With his first $1million title win, Kasanganay invested in a media company as well as finally achieving his dream of opening a gym. ‘Impa’s Refinery’ in Florida allows beginners and professionals to train in top facilities, and was his biggest purchase after taking home the check.
A second victory would appear to allow him some more flexibility with his spending, particularly after already taking a big money fight in February. But he promises that he won’t let himself get carried away after spending the past year learning about business in Harvard during his time off training.
“No stupid purchases,” he insisted. “You learn a lot in a year! But I have a team, we’re building out a media company and we’re entering a film festival. I’ve got a lot of great people around and we’re doing a lot of great things.
“I think you take on different challenges with success, things you plan for and things you don’t, you learn along the way. The Refinery, I put a lot back into that with trainers and a full staff, I take care of my family, bring everyone around each other.
“If I win this year, I’d like a new motorcycle, that’d be about it. Anything I want to do from now on I can build, and it’s cool watching different companies and how they overcame different challenges… I want to invest in my education, maybe a new motorcycle and then hit new heights.”
Impa Kasanganay plots Johnny Eblen rematch after world title clash
While Kasanganay insists that he will ‘probably disappear for a little bit’ after the finals, he already has one eye on a particular rematch. The sole red mark on his record in the ten bouts since the summer of 2022 is Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen, against whom he wants to avenge his loss.
The pair’s ‘Battle of the Champions’ showdown in February saw Eblen emerge victorious by a hair in a razor-close split decision. But the PFL star is confident that he did enough to win, and believes their paths may cross again some day.
“I saw Johnny fight Fabian Edwards, he’s a champion and he’s a warrior,” Kasanganay continued. “He brought it to Fabian and then Fabian brought it to him at the end, then Johnny found a way to win.
“I know I won that fight, I claim victory, and I’m always grateful for that. Without that fight I don’t believe I’d be the person and the fighter that I am today, this is no shot at him, we’ve had a private conversation and there’s respect.
“I respect the fact that he has called me out, so soon enough that fight will come. Right now on Friday I’ll claim this victory and that’s my focus, but after that see me in January and I’m ready to go.”
