Impa Kasanganay just earned his UFC contract Tuesday night and he already has a date and opponent for his promotional debut.
At DWCS 28 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Kasangany (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) kicked off the event with a unanimous decision victory over Anthony Adams. The win was impressive enough for UFC president Dana White to award him a UFC deal – and give him the opportunity to fight Maki Pitolo at the promotion’s upcoming Aug. 22 event.
White hinted they already had a fight for Kasanganay when he awarded the contract on the broadcast. However, in the post-fight news conference, White revealed the specifics.
“He’s going to fight Pitolo,” White said. “Maki Pitolo, (who’s) from the Contender (Series), too.”
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to MMA Junkie the matchup was offered during the Tuesday card, with both parties voicing interest. However, with the recency of Kasanganay’s UFC offer, no bout contracts have been issued or signed.
Pitolo (13-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC) competed as recently as Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 32, when he suffered a first-round submission loss to Darren Stewart. Pitolo was inked to a UFC deal after a first-round TKO of Justin Sumter on DWCS, Season 3 in July 2019.
DWCS 28 took place Tuesday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event simulcasted on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.
