Before reaching the pinnacle of success in the PFL and becoming a millionaire, Impa Kasanganay experienced homelessness, living out of his car.
Despite his talent being recognized on Dana White’s Contender Series and facing top-tier opponents like Joaquin Buckley in the UFC, Kasanganay spent six months without a home as he worked to rebuild his MMA career. Just a year later, he triumphantly won the 2023 PFL Season, which awarded him $1 million and opened doors to opportunities beyond fighting.
Impa Kasanganay`s Motivation During Homelessness
After his departure from the UFC, Impa Kasanganay faced the challenge of restarting his career. Following competitions in various promotions, he competed in the PFL Challenger Series. His success there earned him a spot in the 2023 PFL season, where he ultimately became a champion and a millionaire.
He nearly repeated his championship win the following year and narrowly missed defeating Bellator champion Johnny Eblen in Saudi Arabia by a judge`s decision. Now, Kasanganay is excited for his upcoming fight against Fabian Edwards, from the renowned fighting family that includes former UFC champion Leon Edwards.
In an interview, Kasanganay shared, “When I was training at one in the morning in the early days, this is what I was praying for. I was sleeping in my car before training sessions, and at one point, my car was my home.”
He continued, “These are the things you dream of – fighting at the highest level. To have the chance, the honor, and the privilege to chase that big dream is incredible. I`ve always envisioned myself as a hunter, owning a ranch and growing my own food.”
“There’s something special about providing for your family by hunting and securing food. It`s a fundamental aspect of being a man, in my opinion.”
“You aim to dominate; it`s not just about competing or having a close fight. You want to overcome your opponent decisively and move forward. That`s why I`m eager to face 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 exceptional minds. The support his family gave his brother Leon to win the title is remarkable. I intend to win, shake his hand, and move on, but defeating him would be a significant achievement.”
Impa Kasanganay Aims for Billion-Dollar Finance Deals
While many fighters aspire to earn seven figures and win a world title throughout their careers, Kasanganay has even grander goals. Having earned an MBA from Harvard last year, he now aims to make a significant 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 reflected. “Now, it’s about grounding myself and moving forward. So, for the past six months, I’ve focused on self-improvement, faith, life, and business, while staying active. Now, it’s time to reap the rewards.”
“For me, fighting is a short-term goal. My ultimate aim is to become a multi-trillionaire. A million dollars is significant, especially compared to the earnings of many, but I aspire to achieve much more.”
“I want to be involved in deals worth hundreds of millions, even billions of dollars. With that level of wealth, you can positively impact countless lives – your family, yourself, and many others.”
“For me, every challenge is about striving to be the best. Earning a million dollars doesn`t make you the best at making money. Becoming a champion makes you the best fighter. In everything I pursue, I want to be the best.”
“This ambition drives me in business and in life. It’s about creating meaningful change for myself, my family, and others. When it comes to fighting, it’s not just about the money. I want to be the ultimate warrior.”
