Hickory, N.C.-- Impa Kasanganay ended his football career at Lenoir-Rhyne in 2016, then he turned his attention to the cage. We had the opportunity to sit down with the former Lenoir-Rhyne football player and talk to him about his Mixed Martial Arts ambitions.

Q- What are your goals in your professional fighting career?

A- Currently, I have many goals. First is to give God glory by how I fight and conduct my myself in and outside of combat. I love what I've been called to. I aspire to be the greatest fighter to ever fight, to represent my culture being Congolese-American, to use my platform as a professional athlete to serve others around the world, to be innovative as a fighter doing what has never been done before, to fight the best of the best and dominate, and to be a reigning defending Champion in Multiple Divisions.

Q- When did you get started?

A- I got started during the end of my senior season of football at LR. I had my first amateur fight my senior spring and final semester at LR. I was taking 26 credits then [ haha ] I would not recommend preparing for a fight with all those classes. 

Q- How did LR football impact you?

A- LR football impacted me in many ways. Being part of the Bears football team instilled a great work ethic in me. Teaching me that to be the best version of myself, I have to obsess over whatever craft I choose to pursue. The most important take-away from being a Bear was the importance of serving my teammates. I didn't play a lot during my tenure at LR which was actually a blessing in disguise because I had the opportunity to be a good teammate. This carried over into my professional fighting career where it is so important to study the opponent that my tribesmen (what I call my teammates) will be fighting so I can give them the proper look as a training partner. 

Q- What is your training regimen like?

A- I train 6-7 days a week. Sundays usually I have a session before church. Monday-Thursday, 5-7 sessions per day. I usually have auxiliary work depending how close I am to a a fight or if I have a tribesman who has a fight coming up. 

Q- Who in UFC have you modeled your fighting style after?

A- There are a few fighters that have really awesome fighting styles, but I really haven't modeled my style after anybody else's. I really like to mix it up whether it's on the ground, staying in the pocket and trading leather, or purely stand up. I challenged myself to be creative. 4 Fighters that I love to watch are Bryan Barberena, Scott Holtzman, Charles Oliveira, and Israel Adesanaya. 

Q- What is something about professional fighting that some people don't know about?

A- That there are 3 top organizations. UFC, Bellator, and One Championship. Many people assume that every fighter is in The "UFC".  Many times, when I speak to people about what I do as professional Mixed Martial Artist they will refer to me as a UFC fighter. I am a prize fighter by professions but there is also Bellator and One Championship. I would look at it like soda brands. Some people like Coca Cola, some like Dr. Pepper, and some like Cheerwine. We have options to choose from as fighters to fight the best talent on the biggest stages in the world and live great lives.

Q- What do you miss most about LR?

A- The culture and community! LR and Hickory have A HUGE place  in my heart. I still go back when I'm not traveling for fights to watch games or just to hang out. I loved walking around campus, seeing my peers, hanging out in the cafeteria, and seeing my favorite professors walking around campus. 

Q- Who is your biggest role model?

A- My Dad. The most loving, hardest working person I know. He leads my family with honor. He and my mom are so supportive of what I love to do. Blessed to be their son and to be an ambassador for my family.

Q- What are your thoughts before going into a fight?

A- Going into a fight, I'm thinking about having fun and being creative. I'll typically run through a checklist in my head based on what my coach and tribe have discussed leading up to the fight. Then I always say " Send It!" I'm at peace and I'm excited to do what I love. Before my first amateur fight, I remember thinking about how hungry I was. I wanted a burger ( which I got right after I won) and I was  laughing in my head because it turns out they do actually lock the cage. Not sure why it was so funny to me. It felt like a dream. I am always singing and dancing before a fight. I pray, listen to a mix of worship music, James Brown, Hip Hop (usually old school), Adele, and some traditional Congolese Music. So usually happy, fun, and peaceful thoughts. I'm not an angry person nor an angry fighter.

Q- What was your favorite thing about LR?

A- The people. Everybody from the students, the staff, and the entire LR community. I transferred in and I had some of the best 2 years of my life.