Highlights! Former UFC fighter Impa Kasanganay wins PFL contract via TKO

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter and two-time Contender Series winner, Impa Kasanganay — who was abruptly released from the promotion despite a solid record (2-2) back in Dec. 2021 — is now a Professional Fighters League (PFL) fighter.

Week seven of PFL’s 2023 Challenger Series continued to roll on at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., tonight (Fri., Mar 10, 2023), adding the dynamic knockout artist to its Light Heavyweight PFL roster after he knocked out Osama Elsaidy in the first round during the main event.

Check out the highlights below:

Kasanganay (11-3) is now riding a two-fight win streak, with both of them being knockout wins. “Tshilobo” went 2-2 in UFC; however, he wasn’t re-signed after his four-fight contract. He is perhaps best rememered inside the Octagon as Joaquin Buckley’s ridiculous knockout victim (watch it here).

Kasanganay, who also took a one-off fight with Eagle FC, has fought in three weight divisions for the last several years: Light Heavyweight, Middleweight and Welterweight. However, it looks like he will compete in the 205-pound division for the foreseeable future (possibly being an alternate for the 2023 PFL regular season).

The other finalist for a PFL contract was former two-time Challenger Series and Bellator fighter, Taylor Johnson (9-3), who also scored a first-round finish over Trey Williams.

The other two week seven winners scored impressive unanimous decisions. Indeed, Billy Elekana (5-1) returned to the win column after suffering his first professional loss:

And Roland Dunlap (4-0) kept his undefeated streak intact; however, he did score an illegal knee:

With a wrap on week seven, Kasanganay joins Featherweight Brahyan Zurcher, Flyweight Desiree Yanez (watch), Lightweight Elvin Espinoza (watch), Heavyweight Abraham Bably (watch), Featherweight Amanda Leve, and Welterweight Thad Jean as PFL “Challenger Series” contract winners so far this year.

Full Challenger Series Week 7 Results:

• Impa Kasanganay def. Osama Elsaidy via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:15
• Taylor Johnson def. Trey Williams via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:20
• Billy Elekana def. Tristan Overvig via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Roland Dunlap def. Monte Deon Ogbonna-Morrison via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)