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Dakota Ditcheva, the undefeated English fighter who swept through the PFL’s women’s flyweight division in 2024, is now at a crossroads. After claiming the championship and a $1 million prize, the 26-year-old has made it clear she’s hungry for fresh challenges in 2025. But with her dominance so far, the question is: Can PFL deliver what she needs to keep climbing?
“Winning the title was just the beginning,” Ditcheva shared. “Now, it’s about staying motivated and finding fights that push me to the next level. PFL has to come up with something that challenges me.”
With the PFL-Bellator merger in play, new doors are opening for Ditcheva, including potential one-off super fights or sticking to the season-long tournament format. She’s open to both but emphasizes the need for meaningful competition.
“They’ve got options,” Ditcheva explained. “Put me on a pay-per-view card, give me a big fight in Manchester, and add some big names to the mix. Or maybe the tournament works again, but only if it’s fresh and exciting. I don’t think people want to see me fight the same opponents repeatedly.”
Her sentiment reflects lessons learned from teammate Kayla Harrison, who fought Larissa Pacheco three times in the PFL, culminating in her only career loss.
“Fighting the same person repeatedly isn’t ideal,” Ditcheva said. “But it worked out for Kayla, and now look at her in the UFC. For me, it’s about progression.”
Having recently dismantled former UFC title challenger Taila Santos, Ditcheva is setting her sights on tougher opponents, possibly Bellator flyweight champion Liz Carmouche. But her goals extend beyond wins. “I’m 26, and I don’t want to stagnate,” she said. “Every fight has to be a step forward.”
PFL’s strategy of scouting emerging talent in Europe brought Ditcheva into the spotlight, a move she applauds.
“They took a chance on young talent like me, and it’s paid off,” she noted. “Now it’s time to keep that momentum going.”
As Ditcheva’s star continues to rise, the PFL must decide how to utilize their new face of flyweight dominance. Whether it’s pay-per-view headliners or marquee matchups, fans are eager to see how the promotion will answer her call for greater challenges.
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