Impa Kasanganay Bio
Impa Armand Kasanganay (born January 17, 1994) is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes in the light heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Known by the ring name Tshilobo, he formerly competed in the welterweight and middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is widely recognized as the 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion.
Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Congolese immigrants, Kasanganay relocated to North Carolina as a child and built his athletic foundation in football before transitioning to combat sports. A former accountant who holds three college degrees, he combines an unusual professional background with the discipline of a championship-level fighter.
Early Life and Background
Impa Armand Kasanganay was born on January 17, 1994, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to parents who had immigrated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the age of 12, his family relocated to North Carolina, where he settled into the Charlotte area. He attended Providence High School, where he first played American football during his senior year.
His athletic foundation grew at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where Kasanganay played collegiate football. Although football shaped his early athletic identity, he gradually shifted his competitive focus toward combat sports. Before fully committing to mixed martial arts, Kasanganay worked as an accountant and built an impressive academic résumé, earning an associate degree in business administration and accounting, a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and a bachelor’s degree in finance.
Path to MMA
Kasanganay’s transition from football to mixed martial arts reflected both his athletic versatility and his willingness to reinvent himself. Training out of Florida, he made his professional debut at 864 Fighting Championship, where he defeated Garett Fosdyck by split decision. The performance marked the start of a steady climb through the regional circuit.
Over the next several months, Kasanganay strung together five consecutive regional victories. He earned decisions against Dahlen Willson at Island Fights 53 and Devorious Tubbs at Legacy Fighting Alliance 71, and he recorded first-round finishes over John Lewis, Roger Pratcher, and others. Those results built his résumé enough to attract national attention.
Impa Kasanganay Career
Dana White’s Contender Series (2019–2020)
In 2019, Kasanganay was invited to Dana White’s Contender Series 26, where he defeated Kailan Hill by unanimous decision. Although the performance did not earn him a UFC contract on his first attempt, it positioned him as a fighter worth watching.
A year later, Kasanganay returned to the Contender Series stage for week 28. Facing Anthony Adams, he delivered another unanimous decision win that finally secured him a UFC contract and launched the next phase of his career.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2020–2021)
Kasanganay made his UFC debut against Maki Pitolo at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Rakić on August 29, 2020, winning by unanimous decision. The performance hinted at his potential on the sport’s biggest stage.
That momentum was halted at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen, when Joaquin Buckley landed a spinning back kick knockout in the second round. Kasanganay responded with a second-round rear-naked choke submission win over Sasha Palatnikov at UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland. His final UFC appearance ended in a first-round technical knockout loss to Carlston Harris at UFC Fight Night 192, and on December 2, 2021, his release from the UFC roster was announced.
Post-UFC Career (2022)
On January 19, 2022, news surfaced that Kasanganay had signed with Eagle Fighting Championship. He faced Raimond Magomedaliev at Eagle FC 46 but lost by split decision after missing weight at the weigh-ins.
Months later, Kasanganay rebounded at XMMA 5, where he stopped Jared Gooden by first-round TKO on July 23, 2022. The finish reminded observers of the finishing instinct he had shown earlier in his career.
Professional Fighters League Breakthrough (2023)
Kasanganay began his PFL journey at PFL Challenger Series 15 on March 10, 2023, defeating Osama Elseady by first-round TKO to lock in a league contract. Three weeks later, he outpointed Cory Hendricks at PFL 1, then submitted Tim Caron with an arm-triangle choke at PFL 4 to clinch a playoff spot.
In the semifinals, Kasanganay knocked out Marthin Hamlet in the first round at PFL 7. He closed the 2023 season by defeating Josh Silveira by unanimous decision in the light heavyweight final at PFL 10, claiming the 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Championship and a $1 million prize.
Kill Cliff FC Era (2023–Present)
Training out of Kill Cliff FC in Deerfield Beach, Florida, Kasanganay opened his 2024 campaign with a first-round TKO of Alex Polizzi at PFL 2 and a second-round TKO of Jakob Nedoh at PFL 5. He then avenged a past opponent, outpointing Josh Silveira in the semifinals at PFL 8.
The 2024 championship run ended with a first-round knockout loss to Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov in the final at PFL 10. After entering the 2025 PFL World Tournament at middleweight, Kasanganay dropped a second-round TKO to Fabian Edwards at PFL 3 before rebounding with a third-round TKO of Andrew Sanchez at PFL 10. In 2026, he knocked out Dalton Rosta at PFL Pittsburgh and is scheduled to face Johnny Eblen for the interim PFL Middleweight World Championship at PFL Austin on July 18, 2026.
Style and Strengths
Kasanganay blends a grappling-heavy base with steadily improving striking power. His ability to finish fights both by submission and by knockout makes him dangerous at any stage of a bout. Training alongside top-tier partners at Kill Cliff FC has refined his composure under championship pressure.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Championship stands as the defining achievement of his career, capped by the $1 million prize awarded to PFL season winners. His comeback knockout of Dalton Rosta in 2026 and the scheduled interim title clash against Johnny Eblen reinforce his status as a top contender in the middleweight division.
Impa Kasanganay Career Wins
Impa Armand Kasanganay has compiled 19 verified professional victories across regional shows, the UFC, Eagle FC, XMMA, and the PFL. His wins are spread across decisions, knockouts, and submissions, reflecting a well-rounded finishing ability.
PFL Highlights
Kasanganay captured the 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Championship by winning four consecutive bouts in the league’s season format, capped by a unanimous decision over Josh Silveira in the final. His PFL finishes include knockout wins over Osama Elseady and Marthin Hamlet and a submission victory over Tim Caron.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the PFL, Kasanganay has recorded key victories on the regional circuit, in the UFC, and at XMMA. Notable wins include his UFC debut decision over Maki Pitolo, his submission of Sasha Palatnikov, and his first-round TKO of Jared Gooden at XMMA 5.
| Promotion | Wins | Top Finishes |
|---|---|---|
| PFL | Multiple | Knockouts and Submissions |
| UFC | 2 | Decision and Submission |
| Regional | Multiple | Decisions and Submissions |
Impa Kasanganay Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Impa Armand Kasanganay was raised in a household rooted in Congolese heritage, with his parents having immigrated to the United States before his birth. Their journey shaped a family story grounded in perseverance, opportunity, and the pursuit of the American dream.
Personal Life
Kasanganay currently resides in Deerfield Beach, Florida, where he trains with Kill Cliff FC. He has spoken publicly about his former career as an accountant and the value of his three college degrees, reflecting the same discipline he brings to the cage.
2025 Season Performance
Impa Armand Kasanganay entered the 2025 PFL World Tournament at middleweight as a former light heavyweight champion seeking a second PFL title. His opening bout ended in a second-round technical knockout loss to Fabian Edwards at PFL 3, a setback that knocked him out of the tournament bracket.
He rebounded at PFL 10 on August 21, 2025, when he stopped Andrew Sanchez by third-round TKO. The victory demonstrated that his knockout power had not diminished and positioned him for a meaningful 2026 campaign.
Heading into the rest of his scheduled bookings, Kasanganay now operates as a seasoned title contender rather than a prospect. With an interim middleweight title shot on the horizon and a recent first-round knockout of Dalton Rosta in March 2026, his outlook entering the next chapter of his career remains strong.