The Professional Fighters League is launching a women’s featherweight division in 2023, taking over from lightweight which bowed out this year.
Ahead of the 2023 regular season, that 145lb weight class, already set to feature the likes of Julia Budd and Aspen Ladd, will shore up its ranks by way of the PFL Challenger Series.
League officials announced the 2023 PFL Challenger Series women’s featherweight line-up in a press release distributed Wednesday. Headlining the affair will be IBJJF World Champion Amanda Leve (1-0), facing off against Naranjargal Tsend-Ayush (2-0), a Mongolian who took part in the 2016 Olympics in Judo.
In addition to Amanda Leve vs. Naranjargal Tsend-Ayush, the following match-ups will also be featured in the women’s featherweight division:
- Jeslen Mishelle (2-0) vs. Evelyn Martins (2-0)
- Karolina Sobek (4-0) vs. Senna van der Veerdonk (3-1)
- Michelle Montague (2-0) vs. Shaquita Amador Woods (0-0)
“As the PFL continues its growth we are excited to unveil our Women’s Featherweight division,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo in Wednesday’s release. “Through the Challenger Series, the PFL will give eight of the best female Featherweights an opportunity to showcase their talent with the chance to earn a PFL contract.”
The PFL Challenger Series streams on Friday nights starting on January 27, 2023 on Fubo Sports Network, running through March 17. So far, only the welterweight and women’s featherweight line-ups have been revealed.
