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The reigning PFL flyweight champion, Dakota Ditcheva, won’t defend her title in the 2025 tournament. The league officially revealed the eight-woman roster for this year’s flyweight season, with notable names cutting—though Ditcheva is not among them.
The 2025 PFL flyweight tournament boasts a competitive lineup featuring former Bellator champion Liz Carmouche, ex-titleholder Juliana Velasquez, and UFC veteran Taila Santos. Also returning to the mix are Kana Watanabe, Chelsea Bishop, and Shanna Joanne. Two new faces—unbeaten Brazilian prospect Dana and former Bellator standout Diana Asvaragova—will be making their PFL debuts.
Ditcheva’s absence, while notable, isn’t a shock. The British knockout artist dominated the 2024 season, capping it off with a second-round TKO win over Santos in the final to claim the championship and the coveted $1 million prize. However, she had previously hinted that another tournament run wasn’t in her immediate plans.
This season’s matchups could see familiar rivalries renewed. Santos and Carmouche previously clashed in the 2024 semifinals, with Santos securing a unanimous decision victory. Meanwhile, Bishop will be looking for redemption after falling to Ditcheva in the other semifinal.
As for the new entrants, Dana arrives with an impressive 7-0 record, previously fighting under Brazil’s Jungle Fight promotion. Asvaragova, on the other hand, brings experience from Bellator, where she won her first four fights before suffering a unanimous decision loss to Justine Kish in August 2023.
While seeding is yet to be determined, the tournament is set to begin on April 11, airing on ESPN2 and ESPN+. With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising prospects, the 2025 flyweight season promises to deliver plenty of action—even without its reigning queen.