After losing to Johnny Eblen, Impa Kasanganay says everything changed

Impa Kasanganay and Johnny Eblen will run it back in the PFL Austin headliner. | 📷: PFL MMA


In the main event of PFL Austin, a highly anticipated rematch will take center stage for the Professional Fighters League interim middleweight title fight between Impa Kasanganay and Johnny Eblen. The fight came together after reigning champion Costello van Steenis had to withdraw from his rematch against Eblen due to injury, putting together the second meeting between Kasanganay, dating back to their first fight in 2024.

Back in February of 2024, Kasanganay was on the losing end of a split decision loss to Eblen, but showcased growth in his game as one of the most challenging opponents that Eblen had faced. It was a showcase event of “PFL vs. Bellator” after the PFL acquired Bellator MMA’s roster, and Kasanganay’s efforts proved the talent level that the PFL promotion had already established.

Talking with Sherdog.com, Kasanganay discussed the rematch against Eblen, his vision for the future of his career, and much more, including how the first meeting has helped him become the fighter he is today.

Impa Kasanganay vs. Johnny Eblen rematch sets up PFL Austin title fight

“I think it’s a bit of everything combined around this fight. I’ll be the best to ever do it, that’s the focus. Honor God, do my job, and that’s how I look at it. The past is the past, that’s what helped me become who I am. If I didn’t take the long way to get here, the seven fights in between, the consistent refinement, then I wouldn’t be ready for this moment, but now I am. So for me, it’s go claim that victory, unify the title, clear the division, go back up to 205, get that title, and just see what the PFL wants to do.”

A middleweight title fight headlines PFL Austin: Tune on Saturday, July 18 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

While the focus is solely on Eblen, Kasanganay has never been shy about setting the bar high for self-expectations and what his goals are, which is why he is also eyeing a move to light heavyweight after taking care of middleweight.

Impa Kasanganay targets PFL dominance beyond middleweight division

“I could see that being my path for sure. Clean this division out, then go and clean out the light heavyweight division. We got a solid middleweight division, I feel like every contender is a contract for more, right? Whether it’s four, five, or six fights, whatever it is; you take them out. Each fight’s a battle, then honor God, do your job. Once I take them out, who’s next? Light heavyweight and heavyweights, all of them, all three divisions. So, I’m ready to go.”

Impa Kasanganay explains why his first Johnny Eblen fight changed him

Many fighters in Kasanganay’s spot would want to lock in on avenging their loss to a fighter and former champion like Eblen, but the former PFL light heavyweight tournament champion is at a place where he’s taking on all comers.

“Back then I was saying that I won the fight, I wanted the rematch, all the stuff like that. Now, for me, it’s whoever’s on that path in front of me. I see Johnny as one of the better fighters in the world; one of the best fighters in the world, so I know what I did in my first fight against him. I’m not here to prove what I did then, I’m just here to do my job and do even better than last time. Claim that victory, get that finish, and have the world watch what I do. Watch me: I’m at peace with the past. This is not about proving what I did back then.”

For Kasanganay, fighting is an honor, and he’s always said that to respect his opponent, he has to beat them down in the most ruthless way, to honor them and the sport. There will be plenty of built-in narrative about the first time these two former champions met one another, but the reality for Kasanganay will be that he’s there to do a job, show improvement from their first meeting in 2024 and build on his vision of taking over multiple divisions atop the PFL.