LAS VEGAS – Cory Hendricks’ road with PFL has been unclear, but he’s just looking forward to competing.
Hendricks (9-5) meets PFL Challenger Series 7 winner Impa Kasanganay (11-3) at 2023 PFL 1 on April 1 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. His fight with Kasanganay will not be part of the light heavyweight season, and Hendricks isn’t even sure if this is considered an alternate fight.
“At the end of the day, I’m just happy to have a fight,” Hendricks told MMA Junkie and other reporters during PFL media day at Xtreme Couture. “I was kinda struggling to find a fight, so this popped up, and we’ll take it. It’s a good opportunity. It’s kind of a weird relationship because they can’t decide whether they love me or hate me. Cut me, bring me back, cut me, bring me back. It’s kind of like a toxic ex. Break up with me and then a few weeks later just hit me with a random text like, ‘Hey, what’s going on?'”
He continued, “It’s been frustrating, I would say is the best word to sum it up, but at the end of the day, regardless of the tournament and everything, I’m a professional fighter and so I want to fight. Regardless if I’m in the tournament or not, ultimately I’m just happy to have a fight. Happy I have a fight and get decent money for it.”
Hendricks admits he mainly knows Kasanganay for his highlight reel knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley, but he doesn’t think that performance defines him.
“He got famous for being on the wrong end of a highlight, which, whatever, it happens,” Hendricks said. “It’s not like he’s a bad fighter because of that. That’s just kind of a, I don’t want to say a freak or lucky knockout, but it was a weird happening. I’m not thinking that he’s not a good fighter because of that. I’ve watched him. He is a good fighter. He’s got a lot of good qualities.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2023 PFL 1.
