LAS VEGAS – Impa Kasanganay beat Cory Hendricks with a unanimous decision Friday to open the preliminary card at 2023 PFL 1 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Kasanganay, who returned just a few weeks after a win on PFL’s Challengers Series.
Cory Hendricks vs. Impa Kasanganay
Result: Impa Kasanganay def. Cory Hendricks via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Updated records: Kasanganay (12-3), Hendricks (9-6)
Key stat: PFL’s Fighter Performance Rating gave the nod in all three rounds and 73-39 overall.
Kasanganay on the fight's key moment
“My coaches looked at everything that he did really well. I knew he was smart, that kimura he kept grabbing to go with that made me have to respond to that. He had nice kicks, body kicks, (and) got me with some of those, but nothing crazy – nothing that I didn’t expect. I knew he was tough. I expected that from him. He’s got a good attitude for fighting, so I respect that about him.”
Kasanganay on making changes before his next fight
“I know I’m capable of a better fight than that. I’m not here to perform, like just entertain. I think the way I fight is entertaining, and maybe it was, but I know I can do better. I’ve got a great team around me, and I’ve got a better way to represent than that. I’m grateful, for sure. I’ve got great coaches and great teammates. They expect the best out of me. I spent the best out of myself. Cory is an excellent fighter, so I don’t want to take it from him. I just know I could have finished that fight, and I’ve got to make some adjustments.”
Kasanganay on what he wants next
“I’ll be back for the playoffs, for sure. Of course, I’ll be the alternate in June. If somebody falls out, I’ll be ready to go and believe I’ll be the best version of me come the playoffs. I’ve been saying I’m PFL light heavyweight champion in 2023. God is shaping it and I’m a part of this plan. So I’ll get back to the gym – I’m back on Monday night and it’s time to get to work. Would I prefer to fight? I mean, I love to fight. I’ll fight next week. So if there’s opportunity to fight in June and somebody falls out or something happens between now and then, yes, for sure. At the same time, I want to keep fighting. I want to keep dominating. God blessed me with an opportunity. I’ll be ready.”
To hear more from Kasanganay, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 1.
