UFC on ABC 2 video: Impa Kasanganay rebounds from viral KO loss with submission win

The last time Impa Kasanganay entered the octagon, he was on the receiving end of one of the memorable knockouts in UFC history against Joaquin Buckley.

That type of outcome can crush a fighter for good, but not Kasanganay (9-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who on Saturday got back on track with a submission win over Sasha Palatnikov (6-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at UFC on ABC 2.

Not only did Kasanganay win, but he did it in his welterweight debut, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. After putting his wrestling to use early, Kasanganay sunk in a no-hooks rear-naked choke in the second frame, forcing Palatnikov to tap out.

Check out the replay of the finish below (via Twitter):

Kasanganay was brutally knocked out with a spinning back kick to the face by Buckley last October at UFC Fight Night 179. The finish was voted MMA Junkie’s “Knockout of the Year” for 2020, but Kasanganay didn’t let it deter him.

He changed weight classes and managed to put away Palatnikov, starting a fresh chapter in his career.