Tag: Taila Santos

Taila Santos not surprised to see Dakota Ditcheva out of 2025 PFL tournament, still wants rematch

Despite not being both in the 2025 PFL tournament, Taila Santos still wants her rematch against Dakota Ditcheva.

[autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag] wants a rematch with [autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag], but she wasn’t holding her breath on meeting her once again in a PFL tournament.

Santos (22-4) and Ditcheva (14-0) were the two finalists for last year’s PFL women’s flyweight tournament. It was a big fight for the promotion, as it pitted a former UFC title challenger against one of the best undefeated talents today. In the end, Ditcheva walked away with a finish, the 2024 PFL title, and the $1 million prize.

“Every fighter need to know how to handle a loss because a loss leaves you a lot more to learn than a win,” Santos told Hablemos MMA in Portuguese. “Defeats give you the chance to reflect and see what you need to improve. So I’m grateful for that loss. I can’t stay down and sad after winning three fights and then suffering a loss.

“As you said, that loss was very important to prepare and analyze what I need to improve on so I can evolve for this next season.”

Santos, who fought for a UFC title in 2020 in a close fight against champion Valentina Shevchenko, admits Ditcheva was a tough adversary. But on top of having a tough test, she also doesn’t feel like she showed up that night in the 2024 PFL women’s flyweight final.

“She’s very tall, and that was difficult. It was the first time I fought with someone that tall,” Ditcheva said. “Now, speaking about myself, I honestly wasn’t able to find my rhythm in that fight. I’m just speaking about me, not her. Athletes will understand me in the sense that you don’t always train well. You have bad days. Sometimes you do to the gym and you just don’t train well. That’s what happened that night. I couldn’t find myself. I wasn’t there in the fight.”

Santos, 31, meets fellow Brazilian Juliana Velasquez (13-3) in the opening round of this year’s tournament. She wasn’t shocked to see Ditcheva out of the 2025 tournament. Although her absence killed her chances of a potential rematch in the near future, Santos would like to run things back with her eventually.

“It didn’t surprise me,” Santos said when asked about Ditcheva not participating in the tournament. “I did think that maybe she wasn’t going to be in the tournament, trying to do other type of negotiations with PFL. I don’t know why she’s not in the tournament. Most champions usually return and participate again in the next tournaments. But even though she’s not in the tournament, people can still rematch her.

“PFL also does super fights, so maybe we can do a fight between us two again,” Santos said. “I think it will be very interesting to do a super fight, at the end of the year, December. It’s interesting that she’s not in the tournament, but we can rematch in a super fight.”

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Dakota Ditcheva def. Taila Santos at 2024 PFL Championship: Best photos

Check out these photos from Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos at 2024 PFL Championship, a women’s flyweight title bout for $1 million.

Check out these photos from [autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag]’s knockout victory over Taila Santos to win $1 million at 2024 PFL Championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photos by Jose Peñuela, PFL MMA)

2024 PFL Championship: Dakota Ditcheva stops ex-UFC title challenger Taila Santos to win title, $1 million prize

Dakota Ditcheva put on a striking clinic on Taila Santos to win 2024 PFL women’s flyweight title and the $1 million prize.

[autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag] just shut up a lot of critics, while also winning a major championship belt and a million dollars.

That’s right. Ditcheva stopped former UFC title challenger [autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag] in dominant fashion in the co-main event of 2024 PFL Championship, which took place Friday at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The official time of the stoppage was 4:41 of Round 2.

This result got Ditcheva (14-0) the 2024 PFL women’s flyweight title and the $1 million prize for the season.

The fight was mainly a one-way street. Although Santos (22-4) was able to press Ditcheva against the cage in the early portion of the fight, Ditcheva always found a way to get back to her bread and butter, striking, and pick apart Santos at range. In Round 2, Ditcheva’s shots began to add up and rapidly diminish Santos’ energy and durability. A shot to the liver from Ditcheva was the final straw that got Santos to collapse, thus forcing the referee to waive off the action.

Ditcheva maintained her undefeated record with Friday’s showing. The victory over Santos, who has been considered one of the best fighters at woman’s flyweight, is easily the biggest victory of her career. The 26-year-old is quickly establishing herself as one of the best fighters today. Ditcheva is also the 2023 PFL Europe women’s flyweight tournament winner.

On the other hand, this was Santos’ fourth professional defeat and first loss since fighting out her contract with the UFC and joining the PFL. Santos, who left the UFC at the end of 2023 after a decision loss to top contender Erin Blanchfield, had picked up three wins in PFL, including a decision win over former Bellator champion Liz Carmouche.

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Up-to-the-minute 2024 PFL Championship results include:

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

Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos prediction, pick, start time for 2024 PFL Championship

Dakota Ditcheva has dominated so far in her pro career. Can ex-UFC fighter Taila Santos pull the upset?

[autotag]Dakota Ditcheva[/autotag] and [autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag] meet Saturday for the women’s flyweight $1 million title at the 2024 PFL Championship. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup.

Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos 2024 PFL Championship preview

Dakota Ditcheva def. Jena Bishop – 2024 PFL 7: Nashville Playoffs

It’s largely been a breeze for the 26-year-old Dakota Ditcheva (13-0), who has combat sports in her blood thanks to a kickboxing standout mother. She hasn’t gone do a decision since she signed with the PFL – and has seven of those eight stoppages in the first round. She quieted any potential detractors who may have criticized her level of competition in her PFL Europe run by shutting down Lisa Mauldin, Chelsea Hackett and Jena Bishop on her road to the $1 million final.

Taila Santos def. Jena Bishop at 2024 PFL 4

Taila Santos (22-3) dropped back-to-back fights in the UFC to then-former, but newly current champion Valentina Shevchenko and Erin Blanchfield, then found herself in need of a bounce back. That came in the PFL, where she submitted Ilara Joanne in April, then outworked Bishop and former Bellator champion Liz Carmouche to reach the final.

Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos 2024 PFL Championship odds

2024 PFL Championships faceoff off between Dakota Ditcheva vs Taila Santos during the ceremonial weigh-ins at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (Matt Ferris / PFL)

At -345, Ditcheva is the second biggest favorite of the six $1 million fights.

Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos 2024 PFL Championship expert pick, prediction

Only two of our staff pickers have confidence in a Santos upset – but one of them is the leader in the standings.

Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos 2024 PFL Championship start time, how to watch

As the co-main event, Ditcheva and Santos are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 4:15 p.m. ET. The fight will stream on ESPN+.

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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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.

Taila Santos def. Liz Carmouche at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos

Check out these photos from Taila Santos vs. Liz Carmouche at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1 in Nashville, Tenn.

Check out these photos from [autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag]’ unanimous decision victory over Liz Carmouche in their women’s flyweight semifinal bout at 2024 PFL Playoffs 1, which took place at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (Photos by Cooper Neill, PFL MMA)

Taila Santos surprised by 2024 PFL 4 win over Jena Bishop: ‘I wasn’t expecting her to be as good’

Taila Santos reflects on her win over Jena Bishop to advance to the women’s flyweight playoffs at 2024 PFL 4.

[autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag] admits she might’ve underestimated her opponent this past Thursday at 2024 PFL 4.

The former UFC title challenger fought and defeated Jena Bishop by split decision. Santos (21-3) had plenty of success in the first two rounds, but then was pushed in the grappling department by Bishop in the third. Although victorious and off to the playoffs, Santos didn’t expect to have that much difficulty with Bishop.

“Maybe I wasn’t considering her that high level before fighting her, but now feeling it and fighting her and understanding what she’s about, she’s one of the best out there,” Santos told MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight at 2024 PFL 4. “The best? We don’t know because there are some girls I haven’t fought, but for sure she’s up there.

“There’s Liz (Carmouche), Dakota (Ditcheva), who’s being pushed really hard by the PFL. We still don’t know how good she is, but similar with Jena. I wasn’t expecting her to be as good as she was.”

This is Santos’ first season with the PFL and her second bout with the promotion since leaving the UFC, surprisingly. The Brazilian is happy with her decision to part ways with the UFC.

“I don’t think there’s much of a change besides my mental well-being because here I feel a lot more comfortable compared to where I was before, and the schedule helps a lot,” Santos said. “Just knowing when you’re fighting there’s a lot more stability than where I was before and that makes a world of difference, just knowing where you’re going.”

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

Taila Santos expects Valentina Shevchenko to lose Alexa Grasso trilogy bout: ‘I think her time is passing’

Taila Santos gives her prediction for the expected trilogy bout between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko.

[autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag] knows a thing or two about the elite in the UFC women’s flyweight division, and she thinks [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] is here to stay as champion.

Santos, a former UFC women’s flyweight title challenger and now PFL fighter, doesn’t think [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] will regain her title in her expected championship trilogy against Grasso later this year. The Brazilian believes that Shevchenko’s prime is becoming a thing of the past, and also thinks Grasso has figured her out.

“Alexa,” Santos told MMA Junkie in Portuguese when asked about who’d win the trilogy bout. “I think Valentina, I think her time is passing, and I think before that trilogy she should’ve accepted a fight against me again because she’s losing her grace.

“This is the third fight and Alexa already showed that Valentina has a weak point on the ground. She already finished her and (I thought) she won the second, so I think the trilogy is to just make that definite.”

Santos remains one of Shevchenko’s toughest career fights, as well as her last UFC championship win. The two fought back in 2022 and the fight ended in a split decision favoring Shevchenko.

After the title defense against Santos, Shevchenko went on to get submitted by Grasso in one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. They rematch six months later, and they fought to a split draw. Now, Grasso and Shevchenko are coaching this season of The Ultimate Fighter and are expected to fight at the end of the show.

Santos likes what she’s seen from Grasso as champion, but believes she laid the blueprint to beat Shevchenko.

“Alexa Grasso is a very smart athlete and young, too,” Santos said. “After I fought Valentina, she was the next one for the opportunity and I figured that she would watch my fight against Valentina so she can analyze it and look for her weakness. Since I said that her deficiency is on the ground, and that’s where our fight went, she used that.

“She worked at it, she worked at it and was able to take the fight to the ground and finish her there. She must have studied it and looked for the same path, and that’s how she got the finish. (Grasso) is a very smart and tough fighter, and I like her game a lot.”

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