2023 PFL Challenger Series 5 results: Desiree Yanez earns PFL contract with unanimous decision win

The PFL’s Challenger Series returned for the fifth week of 2023, with athletes gunning for a PFL contract that could either serve as a developmental deal or earn them a spot directing into the regular season to compete for its $1 million prize.

2023 PFL Challenger Series 5 took place Friday at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., and aired live on fubo Sports Network. The event featured four women’s flyweight bouts.

In the first fight of the night, Lisa Mauldin recorded the first TKO finish of her career by stopping Helen Peralta in the third round. Desiree Yanez and Shanna Young picked up solid unanimous decision wins over their opponents.

In the final bout of the evening, Kaytlin Neil swept the scorecards against Katherine Corogenes, earning unanimous scores of 29-27.

The four winners were narrowed down to Mauldin and Yanez before going to the votes by fans and a celebrity panel to determine who would walk away with a PFL contract.

The celebrity panel this week consisted of UFC veterans Paige VanZant, Megan Anderson, and NFL quarterback Sam Darnold. The panel, along with the fans, chose Yanez as the women’s flyweight contract winner.

Judge’s Vote: Yanez
Fan Vote: Yanez

No tiebreaker vote needed… Welcome to the PFL Desiree Yanez!#PFLonFubo pic.twitter.com/xXdHyOm7aq

— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 25, 2023

Official results for 2023 PFL Challenger Series 5 include:

• Kaytlin Neil def. Katherine Corogenes via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
• Shanna Young def. Sandra Lavado via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Desiree Yanez def. Maira Mazar via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Lisa Mauldin def. Helen Peralta via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 3:51