Even earlier than Impa Kasanganay entered the PFL cage on July 18 in Austin, Texas for a rematch with Jonny Eblen for the interim middleweight title, he up to date his Instagram profile to 2026 “World Champion,” however he insists he isn’t being conceited or overconfident.
Kasanganay first confronted Evren in 2024, and it was his first match since he gained the 2023 PFL season with a 5-0 report that 12 months, however fell brief in a break up determination. Kasanganay, who enters PFL Austin’s predominant occasion with two consecutive shutout wins, considers his preventing profession to be an inspiration to the world.
“If you put this in your bio, it isn’t solely about individuals, it is about God,” Kasanganay informed MMA Preventing. “I am not doing it for myself. I am not doing it to say, ‘Oh, bow right down to me.'” No, it is extra like setting a purpose and going to attain it. I feel typically there are individuals on this planet who’re simply too timid and too shy about what they’re pursuing in life and suppose, “Oh, that is what I am aiming for.” I will go get it and check out it. ”If you happen to’re not right here to be champion, why are you doing this? ”
“If you happen to take a look at 23 years, I did the identical factor. If you happen to take a look at my captions and all the pieces. I am a Christian and I belief in Jesus. I feel that is the platform God has known as me to in my life. I meet individuals in darkish locations. I feel MMA is a darkish world. And I am an addict. “If individuals can discuss to themselves about life, like individuals who have been identified, or individuals who have been raped, or individuals who have gone by troublesome instances, they will open their eyes to the very best that’s but to be seen.”Come and make it occur, I’ll declare that title, and this can be a step in that course of.
“I do not suppose that is God’s favor. God loves me greater than this particular person. I consider in grace and I consider in items. However after I set a purpose for myself, I do not really feel like why do not I simply transfer in direction of it?” And in 2023, I used to be proper, I used to be known as to the match and I did my job. I will do the identical right here. I will declare this victory and transfer on. That is it. ”
PFL Austin was initially anticipated to be headlined by Evren vs. Costello van Steenis for the undisputed title, however the champion was compelled to withdraw as a result of an damage in camp. Whereas some see an interim belt as only a ticket to a “actual” championship, Kasanganay sees it from a unique angle.
“I feel that is a nasty means to take a look at it,” Kasanganay mentioned. “I feel once you see the interim belt, you are like, ‘Oh, you are the champion.’ For instance Costello decides to retire. Who’s the champion now? Now, let’s do what we’ve got to do. It is a credit score to the work that you just put in. I do not know, however I simply really feel grateful and simply really feel grateful for what God has given me.” I consider in apologizing and residing the life that was given to me. It is actually cool. I’ll declare this victory and declare it after they unify the belts, whether or not it is on the finish of the 12 months or subsequent 12 months. I do not suppose there’s something to be gained by discrediting what I am doing. I am like, “Okay, I would like the complete title,” but it surely’s someplace alongside the trail that God has given me. Typically we’ve got to go a protracted technique to get to the place God is main us. And I am not going to downplay what PFL is to me as a result of it is such a blessing to me. We’ll seize this victory and transfer ahead. ”
After going simply 2-2 within the UFC in 2020-21, Kasanganay has gained 10 of 13 fights below the PFL banner and sees the PFL middleweight class as being on par with the category competing within the Octagon. Sean Strickland just lately posted a video on social media with Eblen saying that he would win the PFL title, go to the UFC, and finally battle for UFC gold.
For Kasanganay, “the PFL middleweight division is the highest middleweight division on this planet proper now,” and defeating Evren “simply reveals that I am the highest middleweight division on this planet.”
“It would not matter if I am within the UFC or PFL,” Kasanganay mentioned. “I respect the UFC. I all the time inform individuals I am proper, however the present God gave me to battle is just not primarily based on the PFL or the UFC. If I am within the UFC, I am a champion there. If I am within the PFL, I am a champion right here. And it is only a matter of time, proper? It is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when. And are available July 18th, I’ll declare victory.”
“And I respect Sean Strickland,” he continued. “I fought one among my guys that I practice with, and Sean Strickland was actually complimentary about them, however that does not give me any validation, you already know? And on July 18th, I gained. Once I declare that, the MMA world will see it for what it’s and I’ll transfer ahead. I’ve obtained a job to do, declare the win and beat Costello after which maintain shifting ahead.”
The primary matchup between Kasanganay and Eblen was scheduled for 3 rounds and resulted in a break up determination, however this time there will likely be two extra rounds if essential.
“I count on a dominating end from begin to end. ? Declare victory,” Kasanganay mentioned. “It is nothing like that… Once I fought him, yeah, Johnny is an efficient fighter and I actually respect him. I’ve undoubtedly refined and gotten higher. I am higher than I used to be again then and I am persevering with to develop. I am simply trusting God. Issues look higher and I am in a greater place in life. I’ll come to July 18th at peace, declare the win, get it over with and simply transfer on.”
Kasanganay and Evren just lately met throughout PFL San Diego and had been interviewed cageside, the place Kasanganay mentioned he was going to knock him out this time.
“I am not discrediting Johnny, however I am not disrespecting him both,” Kasanganay mentioned. “We had been speaking all weekend. I noticed him in San Diego, and I’ve a job to do. And after I declare victory, it should be, ‘Okay, cool, we did it.'” I am not like these guys who’re like, “Oh, I am exhibiting up from a secular perspective.” I am simply trusting God and telling Him why He known as me. And I declare that victory. That is what I mentioned, I’ll finish him and I am going to try this and transfer ahead. If you finish somebody, no questions requested. And that is what you all the time attempt for, attempt and transfer ahead, so that is what I do. ”
