Challenger Series gives MMA athletes an opportunity to join the PFL
global roster to pursue a world championship and $1 million prize
2023 PFL Challenger Series begins January 27 exclusively on Fubo Sports Network,
FuboTV’s 24/7 sports network dedicated to featuring sports stories on and off the field
NEW YORK (December 21, 2022) - The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, today announced the 2023 PFL Challenger Series Women’s Featherweight competitors and bouts. The PFL Challenger Series is an eight-night competition which will stream exclusively on Fubo Sports Network, the live, free-to-consumer TV network from FuboTV Inc. (NYSE: FUBO), the leading sports-first live TV streaming platform. The Challenger Series airs live on Friday nights, beginning January 27 in primetime through March 17, with fighters competing for the opportunity to earn a PFL contract and the potential to compete for a world championship and the $1 million winner’s purse.
The main event of the 2023 PFL Challenger Series Women’s Featherweight card will see Amanda Leve, a world class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and IBJJF World Champion, with a 1-0 professional record, look to earn a PFL contract when she steps into the PFL SmartCage against Naranjargal Tsend-Ayush. Tsend-Ayush is an undefeated mixed martial artist who competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics in judo. She will become the first Mongolian fighter to compete on the PFL’s world stage.
“As the PFL continues its growth we are excited to unveil our Women’s Featherweight division,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo. “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.”
“We’re proud to stream a robust lineup of women’s and men’s MMA on Fubo Sports Network,” said Pamela Duckworth, head of Fubo Networks and originals, FuboTV. “Our audience will be tuning in to this impressive roster of female Featherweight competitors as they take the cage.”
Jeslen “Wrecking Ball” Mishelle, a grappling specialist with two PFL Challenger Series victories, looks to land the PFL contract which has eluded her, when she faces Evelyn “Spartan” Martins. Martins is a 21-year-old phenom fighting out of the world famous American Top Team gym in Coconut Creek, FL.
Karolina Sobek is a perfect 4-0 in the cage and boasts a submission victory over PFL semifinalist Martina Jindrova. Sobek faces high level Judoka Senna van de Veerdonk. Van de Veerdonk has won three professional MMA fights via armbar submission and has vast training in kickboxing to go along with her judo accolades.
Michelle “The Wild One” Montague returns to the PFL Challenger Series after posting a first-round submission win in 2022. Montague was a member of New Zealand’s National Wrestling Team and is one of the most highly regarded prospects in MMA. Her opponent, Shaquita “Queen Onyx Pire” Amador Woods, owns one amateur MMA win, which came by way of knockout seven seconds into her bout.
Each week fighters from around the world will compete for a PFL contract for the 2023 PFL Regular Season or enter a developmental path with the league in hopes of joining a future PFL Regular Season.
PFL contract winners will be determined by a judging panel, comprised of combat sports champions and celebrity guests.
PFL is the #1 fastest growing company in MMA and the #2 MMA company on a worldwide basis. PFL is the only in MMA with the sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year, making PFL a “win and advance” meritocracy like all other major sports. PFL fighter roster hails from over 20 countries and 25% of PFL fighters are independently ranked in the top 25 of their weight-class. The Company leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage powering real-time betting and next-gen viewing experience. PFL airs primetime live in the U.S. on ESPN and ESPN+ and is broadcast and streamed to 140 countries with 25 leading international media partners.
Fubo Sports Network is the exclusive home of the PFL Challenger Series. FuboTV subscribers can stream the PFL Challenger Series plus more thrilling MMA on Fubo Sports Network as part of FuboTV’s subscription packages featuring 125+ leading sports, news and entertainment channels. Fubo Sports Network is also available for free on Amazon Freevee, LG Channels, Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Vizio WatchFree+, Tubi, Plex, and XUMO with even more fresh content across Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, Twitter and YouTube.
About Professional Fighters League
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is the fastest growing and most innovative sports league. PFL is the #2 MMA company worldwide on all key metrics and the only with the sports-season format where individual fighters compete in Regular Season, Playoffs, and Championship. The Company has four global live fight franchises: PFL League Season, PFL Challenger Series, PFL PPV Super Fights, and PFL Europe.
PFL airs in the U.S on ESPN and ESPN+ and is broadcast and streamed to 140 countries with 25 international leading media partners, including DAZN, DirectTV, Viaplay, Sky Sports, and MBC. PFL has dozens of major brand sponsors such as Anheuser-Busch, GEICO, Bose, US Marine Corps, and Celsius Energy Drink.
PFL is backed by blue-chip investors including Ares, Luxor Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, Knighthead, Legends, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners.
MMA is the growth sport of this decade, with over 600 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demo of any sport, and true global revenue streams.
PFLmma.com; Instagram (@PFLmma); Twitter (@PFLMMA); Facebook (/PFLmma)
About Fubo Sports Network
Available on more than 155 million devices, Fubo Sports Network is the live, free-to-consumer TV network featuring sports stories on and off the field. Launched by live TV streaming platform FuboTV (NYSE: FUBO) in September 2019, Fubo Sports Network airs live sports, movies and documentaries, award-winning original programming and partner content from Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, Professional Fighters League, World Poker Tour and BeIN Sports Xtra, among others. Produced by Fubo Studios with a mission to bring the voice of the athlete to fans, Fubo Sports Network’s original programming is hosted by iconic athletes and current stars including Gilbert Arenas, Terrell Owens, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Orlando Scandrick and R.J. Hampton with legendary sports figures appearing as guests each week.
Stream for free on Amazon Freevee, LG Channels, Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Vizio WatchFree+, Tubi, Plex, XUMO and anywhere podcasts are found. Fubo Sports Network is also available as part of FuboTV’s subscription packages featuring 125+ leading sports, news and entertainment channels. To watch even more original programming, follow Fubo Sports Network on Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, Twitter and YouTube.
