Mixing things up a little this season, the PFL Challenger Series ushered in the women’s flyweight division on Friday night.
Once again taking place in Orlando, FL, week five of this year’s Challenger Series introduced the female 125lb division for the first time in league history outside of a one-off last year. While the weight class would not feature in the regular season, the possibility of that taking place in 2024 was high, with the ladies competing on Friday night getting a chance to make their mark early.
Among them, Ultimate Fighter 30 alum Kaytlin Neil. “Katniss” had come up short on the show, but had bounced back in an Invicta FC bout last year. Having previously competed for Bellator, she was essentially looking to complete the trifecta of fighting for three major promotions.
Neil’s opponent in the featured fight on Friday, Katherine Corogenes, was returning to the promotion after coming up short against Dakota Ditcheva at PFL 10 last year.
Also featured, Neil’s TUF housemate, Helen Peralta. A well-travelled flyweight, she was coming off a win over Aline Pereira in LFA — sister of UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira. Lisa Mauldin was booked opposite Peralta. UFC veteran Shanna Young was paired up with the only fighter to miss weight for the event, Peru’s Sandra Lavado. Bellator vet Desiree Yanez, meanwhile, was in against Maira Mazar.
PFL Challenger Series 2023 Week 5 gets underway at 9PM ET, airing on Fubo Sports Network. Full results can be found below.
PFL Challenger Series 2023 Week 5 Results
Kaytlin Neil def. Katherine Corogenes by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Shanna Young def. Sandra Lavado by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Desiree Yanez def. Maira Mazar by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Lisa Mauldin def. Helen Peralta by TKO, Round 3, 3:51
Desiree Yanez earns a PFL contract on week 5 of the Challenger Series
