Impa Kasanganay is sending a message that he’s ready to be champion again.
The PFL’s 2023 light heavyweight tournament winner is officially back in the playoffs after scoring a stunning standing knockout of Jakob Nedoh at PFL Salt Lake City on Friday.
Watch clips of Kasanganay’s explosive finish below.
The second-round finish added another five points to Kasanganay’s season tally, making him the top seed heading into the postseason. His opening-round opponent is Josh Silveira, the man he defeated in the 2023 finals to become champion and earn a $1 million prize.
Kasanganay and Nedoh were already engaged in a thriller before the ending sequence, with Nedoh actually hurting Kasanganay in Round 1. However, Kasanganay recovered and fired back with flurries, leading to the late drama at the end of Round 2. Kasanganay caught Nedoh with a stiff right, then rushed Nedoh as he stumbled across the SmartCage. A combination of punches left Nedoh dazed against the fence, prompting referee Dave Seljestad to step in at the bell.
After some initial confusion, Seljestad clarified that he had stopped the fight before the start of the third round.
Kasanganay has now won eight of his past 10 fights since leaving the UFC in 2021.