Impa Kasanganay is looking to continue his momentum in the PFL this year and clinch a spot in the light heavyweight playoffs. Kasanganay, a striking expert who enters with a three-fight win streak, won a contract with a first-round TKO in the Challenger Series in March. Less than a month later, Kasanganay competed in a Showcase Bout during the first leg of regular season events, earning a decision win over Cory Hendricks.
A grappling expert and a U.S. Air Force veteran, Tim Caron also enters on a three-fight win streak. Caron, who has finishes in 10 of his 13 victories entering tonight’s bout, is making his light heavyweight debut after a successful stint at middleweight, where he was a champion on the regional scene.
This is a win-or-go-home bout for both men, as they compete in the PFL regular season for the first time. They would lose a tiebreaker against any fighter who fought twice unless they beat that fighter head-to-head.
Round 1
Kasanganay comes out quickly with his boxing, mixing up quick and crisp shots to the head and body already. Kasanganay pressures and gets Caron up but is unable to complete the takedown, although he does pin Caron up against the fence. Caron is able to reverse the pressure and get Kasanganay against the SmartCage, but Kasanganay quickly reverses and is able to get Caron down to the mat.
Kasanganay working combinations on the ground in top position. Caron tries to slide his way to the SmartCage and get himself back up. Kasanganay, however, pins him down and is looking for an arm-triangle choke. The fence limits Kasanganay’s movement, however, and Caron is able to get out of the submission attempt.
Kasanganay continues his ground-and-pound attack until Caron is able to pull guard. Kasanganay remains dominant on top until the bell.
Round 2
Kasanganay lands a combination quickly and stuffs a takedown attempt by Caron, quickly getting back on top. Kasanganay postures up and lands a few strong shots from top. When he’s not throwing shots, Kasanganay is smothering and landing shots to Caron’s sides. Kasanganay lands upstairs and then tries to stand. Caron looks to guard back up, but Kasanganay gets by him and is able to slide into side position before getting back on top.\
đź’Łđź’Ł Impa Kasanganay landing big shots in the 2nd Round #PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 9, 2023
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Kasanganay gets to Caron’s back with a little less than two minutes left in the round. Kasanganay lets his back go but lands multiple shoulder strikes to Caron’s head. Kasanganay narrowly misses full mount, but he’s able to lock in an arm-triangle and force a submission!
Five points and another solid victory for Impa Kasanganay!
Impa Kasanganay gets the submission in the 2nd Round! 5 Point Finish for "Tshilobo"#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 9, 2023
🇺🇸 ESPN+
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OFFICIAL RESULT
Impa Kasanganay def. Tim Caron via second-round submission (arm-triangle choke, 3:52)