UFC boss Dana White made a prediction about Impa Kasanganay four years ago - and it came true as the fighter won PFL's $1million tournament.
Kasanganay, 29, beat Josh Silveira by unanimous decision in Washington, DC to capture the light-heavyweight world title and a seven-figure payday. Kasanganay controlled Silveira for all five rounds as he extended his unbeaten run to six fights whilst Silveira was beaten for the first time since losing to Omari Akhmedov last August.
White spoke highly about Kasanganay when he fought on the UFC's Contender Series in 2019, as he wasn't awarded a contract with the promotion despite beating Kailan Hill. Kasanganay, who was undefeated at the time, did eventually sign with the UFC after beating Anthony Adams on the Contender Series the following year.
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"Impa is 5-0 he is a young guy, 25-years-old and a stud athlete. Hill is too, both of these guys are studs and I just think that tonight’s pressure and experience was really big for this kid. He needs more experience, I’m telling you right now whatever organisation signs this kid, he is the future," White said of his decision to not sign Kasanganay in 2019.
"I believe this kid is going to be in the top-five and potentially a world champion one day. I can't bring this guy into the UFC right now, he will get hurt here. He is not ready for this. I love him and he will be here one day, tonight was a big night for him and I'm sure he felt the pressure but he will be back."
Kasanganay found himself in a slump after being cut by the UFC when he went 2-2 in the promotion, with one of his losses being a brutal Knockout of the Year at the hands of Joaquin Buckley. The PFL champion spent six months sleeping out of his car but turned his life around and is now a homeowner and millionaire.
"I'm so grateful for everything, my dad came to this country with $16 in his pocket and now I get to share this $1million with him. Thank god the UFC cut me so I could come to PFL and dominate. You can be sleeping in your car one day and then be world champion the next," Kasanganay said.