Tag: Dakota Ditcheva

Dakota Ditcheva sees no threat in Taila Santos at 2024 PFL Championship

Dakota DItcheva expects another highlight-reel finish at 2024 PFL Championship, and this one will win her $1 million.

[autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag] has leveled up in confidence ahead of her 2024 PFL Championship final with former UFC title challenger Taila Santos.

Ditcheva (13-0) will look to cap off her perfect PFL season by winning the $1 million women’s flyweight title when she takes on Santos (22-3) at the Nov. 29 event, which takes place King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event streams on ESPN+.

The unbeaten 26-year-old has rolled through her competition this season, scoring first-round finishes of Jena Bishop, Chelsea Hackett and Lisa Mauldin – all in less than four minutes each. Santos, meanwhile, won decisions over Bishop and Liz Carmouche after a first-round submission of Ilara Joanne in her season opener.

Santos, 31, has the far more decorated career that includes a number of key victories, as well as a controversial decision loss to Valentina Shevchenko in a June 2022 title fight at UFC 275. Despite that, Ditcheva isn’t expecting the outcome to look any different from the others this year.

“I respect her totally,” Ditcheva told MMA Junkie. “I know what she’s capable of. I used to watch her when she was in the UFC, and think she’s an amazing fighter. So I know what I’m up against for sure. I knew before the tournament, before the season even started, that she was going to be one of the ones to watch out for. So I’m in no denial there.

“I also know what I’m capable of, and I don’t feel like I have anything to worry about here. It’s going to be a good fight, and I’m excited for that. It’s going to be a real good test, but I’m 100 percent ready for it. I feel what I’ve shown in the tournament, it’s going to be a re-run. My fourth highlight, for sure.”

Ditcheva vs. Santos: A clash of styles

The clash of styles for the title bout is clear. Ditcheva has has finished 11 of her 13 wins by some form of knockout, and within that has displayed a diverse striking arsenal. She’s put away opponents courtesy of head and body shots, and has done it with her hands, elbows, knees and feet.

Santos, however, will be a different task. The Brazilian has never been stopped in 25 fights, and two of her three career losses – all by decision – were questionable split decision defeats. She has the ability to stifle any opponent on the right night.

Still, though, Ditcheva is certain she is built to deliver a unique challenge Santos.

“The difference between me and Taila is that she wants to go to the floor, and she’s happy to stay there and fight it out, whereas I want to get up and start striking with you,” Ditcheva said. “I’m going to get up and put on a show for the fans. If she thinks I’m going to do a Jena (Bishop) and fight with her on the floor and waste my time there – that might happen for a little bit, but I’ll be back up to my feet ready to put on a show for the fans again.”

Will Ditcheva’s plan come together?

Ditcheva’s impressive tenure under the PFL so far has generated conversation about her potential to be a true home-grown star for a company in need of them. She has delivered every step of the way to this point, and the Brit is now on the doorstep of a potentially defining test.

It’s a high-pressure moment on paper, but for Ditcheva, it’s merely another part of a vision for her career that she’s put all her efforts and belief behind.

“This is kind of what I planned for when I signed with PFL,” Ditcheva said. “I wanted to win the European title, then I wanted to go on and do the PFL Global and win that world championship. It has all fallen into place, and as long as I keep working hard, I’m trusting that this will happen this time. I will be world champion and then we’ll be on to the next thing.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL Championship.

Kayla Harrison sees ‘real deal’ Dakota Ditcheva stopping Taila Santos in PFL final

“I think this is about to be a big coming-out party when she makes it look easy,” Kayla Harrison said of Dakota Ditcheva.

[autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag]’s prediction for the 2024 PFL women’s flyweight final is in.

Harrison, a former two-time PFL champion and current UFC bantamweight contender, has issued a bold prediction for this season’s PFL championship final, which pits [autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag] against former UFC title challenger [autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag]. Harrison expects Ditcheva (13-0) to stop Santos (22-3) and claim the 2024 PFL women’s flyweight title along with the $1 million prize. She even picked the round in which her American Top Team teammate will get the job done.

“I know how it’s going to go. I think she’s going to knock her out, second round,” Harrison told MMA Junkie.

Santos is considered one of the world’s best.

Back in 2022, Santos fought for the UFC women’s flyweight title, losing a highly-debated decision against then champion Valentina Shevchenko. Since fighting out her UFC contract last year and signing with the PFL, Santos has gone 3-0, with her latest win coming against former Bellator champion Liz Carmouche.

Harrison is aware of the challenge Ditcheva has ahead. However, she’s confident she has all the tools for it.

“It is (a tough fight). It’s a step-up, but Dakota is ready,” Harrison explained. “She’s prepared. She trains hard. She’s got the best team around her, and she’s so disciplined. She’s just so f*cking good, dude. Like, she is the real deal. She’s the full package, and I’m super excited for her. I think this is about to be a big coming-out party when she makes it look easy.

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Photos: PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants press conference

Check out these photos from the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants press conference with Francis Ngannou, Renan Ferreira and Jake Paul.

Check out these photos from the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants press conference, which took place in Washington, featuring [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag], [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag], [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag], [autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag], and [autotag]Larissa Pacheco[/autotag]. (Photos by Cooper Neill and Matt Ferris, PFL MMA)

Dakota Ditcheva def. Jena Bishop at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos

Check out these photos from Dakota Ditcheva vs. Jena Bishop at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 in Nashville, Tenn.

Check out these photos from [autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag]’s victory over Jena Bishop in their women’s flyweight semifinals bout at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1, which took place at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (Photos by Cooper Neill, PFL MMA)

2024 PFL Playoffs 1 video: Dakota Ditcheva bundles Jena Bishop, goes off during post-fight interview

Dakota Ditcheva might be the biggest star in PFL – and Friday she showed a little nasty.

[autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag] is one win away from the $1 million prize.

Friday at PFL Playoffs 1, Ditcheva (13-0) finished opponent [autotag]Jena Bishop[/autotag] (7-2) with a big knee and punches to advance to the women’s flyweight final against former UFC title challenger [autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag]. The stoppage came at 3:54 of Round 1.

2024 PFL Playoffs 1 took place at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.

PFL’s poster girl for homegrown talent, Ditcheva, 26, was taken down early in the round. However, she worked her way to the feet and eventually landed a big knee to Bishop’s dome. Bishop dropped to the canvas and Ditcheva waved her back up. Bishop obliged, but backpedaled once on the feet. Ditcheva stalked her and dropped her with one big punch.

Referee Blake Grice stepped in and Ditcheva shushed the down Bishop and the crowd.

After the fight, Ditcheva gave a spicy in-cage interview where she said, “We don’t do no split decisions around here,” and blasted Bishop and company for alleged comments in the lead-up to the fight.

Ditcheva then square off with Santos (22-3), who defeated Liz Carmouche earlier on the card. They’ll fight later this year.

In 13 pro appearances, Ditcheva has tallied 12 finishes including 11 TKOs.

Bishop falls into a two-fight skid. In June, she lost a split decision to Taila Santos but still qualified for the playoffs via the season point system.

The up-to-the-minute 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 results include:

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL Playoffs 1.

2024 PFL Playoffs 1 weigh-in results: Liz Carmouche first career miss among four heavy

Check out the full 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 weigh-in results, which includes Liz Carmouche missing weight for the first time in her career.

The PFL playoffs get underway Friday, and a few fighters missed weight at the official weigh-ins for 2024 PFL Playoffs 1.

Friday’s event (ESPN/ESPN+), which takes place at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., features heavyweight and women’s flyweight playoff bouts on the main card.

In the main event, No. 1 seed [autotag]Denis Goltsov[/autotag] (34-8) takes on [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] (18-9). The co-main event features a women’s flyweight bout between undefeated No. 1 seed [autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag] (12-0) and [autotag]Jena Bishop[/autotag] (7-1).

The lone fighter to come in heavy at the official weigh-ins was [autotag]Liz Carmouche[/autotag] (22-7), who missed weight for the first time in her career, weighing in at 127 pounds. For the miss, she will be deducted one point on the scorecards in her bout against fellow UFC vet Taila Santos, and will be fined 20 percent of her purse.

The one-point deduction will only be for league advancement purposes, and will not affect the official commission result, per PFL officials.

Also, three other prelim fighters came in heavy: Sergio Cossio, Jaleel Willis and Anthony Ivy.

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The full 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 official weigh-in results include:

MAIN CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Denis Goltsov (247.6) vs. Tim Johnson (265.8)
  • Dakota Ditcheva (125.2) vs. Jena Bishop (125.2)
  • Oleg Popov (247.2) vs. Linton Vassell (248)
  • Taila Santos (125.2) vs. Liz Carmouche (127)*

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Tyrell Fortune (255.6) vs. Sergey Bilostenniy (249.6)
  • Alexei Pergande (146) vs. Daniel Boehle (145.2)
  • Cody Law (145.4) vs. Zachary Hicks (145.6)
  • Sergio Cossio (162.8)** vs. Dedrek Sanders (155.2)
  • Jaleel Willis (172.6)*** vs. Anthony Ivy (172.8)***
  • Kevin Pease (169.2) vs. Nick Meck (170.2)

*Carmouche missed the 125-pound flyweight limit. She will receive a 1-point deduction on the scorecards should her fight against Santos go to a decision. Carmouche also forfeits 20 percent of her show purse to Santos.
**Cossio missed the 155-pound lightweight limit. He forfeits 20 percent of his show purse to Sanders.
***Willis and Ivy both missed the 170-pound welterweight limit. 

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL Playoffs 1.

Dakota Ditcheva won’t let Jena Bishop ‘stop my hype train’ at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1

Dakota Ditcheva will fight for $1 million if she wins Friday at 2024 PFLPlayoffs 1, and she’s not about to stumble while at the doorstep.

[autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag]’s focus and determination is at an all-time high as she enters 2024 PFL Playoffs 1.

Ditcheva (12-0) is the No. 1 seed in the women’s flyweight season, and will attempt to punch her ticket to the $1 million championship round when she meets Jena Bishop (7-1) in a playoff bout Friday at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (ESPN/ESPN+).

The unbeaten Brit has torn through the competition so far to maintain her undefeated record, and said she won’t let Bishop get in the way of the ultimate goal.

“She was almost out of the tournament – she still made (the playoffs) as No. 4 seed,” Ditcheva told MMA Junkie. “She’s going to be hungry to make that final. She’s not going to wan to make the same mistakes and I think obviously she’s had a few things to say about me before in the tournament. Like the people who I’ve been matched against and things like that.

“I’m sure she’ll be happy to be facing me and me and will be coming to try and end and stop my hype train, but I don’t know whether she’ll be the person to do it.”

To hear more from Ditcheva, watch her 2024 PFL Payoffs 1 media scrum above, and fight week interview with MMA Junkie Radio below.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL Playoffs 1.

Kayla Harrison high on potential of PFL’s Dakota Ditcheva: ‘She is the future of MMA’

Kayla Harrison explains why she thinks PFL’s Dakota Ditcheva is the future of women’s MMA.

[autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] is confident [autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag] is destined for great things in MMA.

The UFC women’s bantamweight contender is linking what she’s seeing from her American Top Team teammate Ditcheva in her former promotion – the PFL. Harrison (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), a former two-time PFL champion, sees a lot of potential in Ditcheva, who’s unbeaten in her MMA career and 7-0 since signing with PFL.

“She’s a killer,” Harrison told MMA Junkie and other reporters Thursday on the UFC Hall of Fame red carpet. “She’s the future of MMA. I think that she’s only getting better.

“She’s young. She’s hungry. She’s disciplined. She’s motivated. She’s got a good head on her shoulders. She’s got a great team around her, and I think the sky is the limit for her.”

As far as her own career, Harrison exclusively fought under the PFL until her most recent outing in April at UFC 300, where she debuted with a submission win over Holly Holm. Harrison is grateful for her run in PFL, but is happy to now be in the UFC.

“It’s a whole new beast, it’s a whole new animal, and honestly, I’m really grateful,” Harrison said. “I know in the past I’ve been impatient or maybe like not completely happy with where I’m at or what I’m doing, but that’s not the case anymore. I truly believe everything is happening at the right time and right place, and I’m excited to be part of this promotion.

“I feel like this is home to me, and this is where I will finish my career with a hell of a lot of gold.”

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USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, June 18: Undefeated Tatsuro Taira takes a leap

Check out the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings following 2024 PFL 4 and UFC on ESPN 58.

Following UFC on ESPN 58 and 2024 PFL 4, the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings required updating.

The PFL event in Uncasville, Conn., saw the rapidly rising [autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag] stop her opponent, Chelsea Hackett, in the first round. The undefeated flyweight is making waves and enters the honorable mentions for the first time.

In the feature bout of the UFC event in Las Vegas, undefeated flyweight [autotag]Tatsuro Taira[/autotag] picked up the biggest win of his career thus far in a TKO over Alex Perez. Entering the week at No. 11, the 24-year-old from Japan leaps up to No. 7, placing him in the mix with former champions and title contenders.

Check out all the latest pound-for-pound and divisional USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings above.

PFL top playoff seed Dakota Ditcheva frustrated her betting odds reach ‘stupid numbers’

Dakota Ditcheva doesn’t put too much stock into being a massive favorite.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag] doesn’t put too much stock into being a massive favorite.

Ditcheva (12-0) secured her spot as the No. 1 seed in the women’s flyweight playoffs when she finished Chelsea Hackett (4-3-1) by Round 1 TKO in the 2024 PFL 4 co-main event Thursday at Mohegan Sun.

Ditcheva was a 40-to-1 favorite at one point during her fight vs. Hackett, but the 25-year-old thinks the odds are little over exaggerated – even though she continues to live up to the hype with her third-straight first-round finish.

“I saw the odds yesterday, and I get frustrated with it because I’m like the only fight that odds are stupid numbers,” Ditcheva told MMA Junkie and other reporters in the post-fight scrum. “MMA is a sport where one punch can change anything.

“I know Chelsea got stopped in her first fight, but she’s still a good, high-level fighter and the odds probably went against her because she’s lost before and I won so many times. My odds are just stupid.”

That being said, Ditcheva is happy to come out unscathed as she preps for a step up in competition during the playoffs. She credits Hackett for wanting to fight her.

“I’m happy with it,” Ditcheva said on her performance. “Fair play to Chelsea – not many people call out high-level people, and I’d like to say I’m a high-level fighter. So fair play to her for being a game fighter.

“But I’m not really surprised by the performance, to be honest. I feel like I always take every opponent serious and some people, I think, underestimate me. I don’t know why. But I’m happy with it anyway.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL 4.