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Dakota Ditcheva is the best female fighter you’ve probably never heard of. Appropriately nicknamed “Dangerous”, she’s a cerebral assassin that fights with a controlled, ruthless aggression that is rarely seen in women’s mixed martial arts (WMMA). So why are you likely not to have heard of her? The answer is simple, it’s because she fights under the Professional Fighter’s League (https://pflmma.com) banner and not in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). When I say she fights, I mean she fights. Unlike many fighters who talk about what they’re going to do to their opponents, then proceed to try and get a win on the scorecards, Ditcheva is looking to cause damage on all three target levels (head, body, and legs) using punches, elbows, knees, and kicks. Once she has her opponent in trouble, she won’t rush the finish or foolishly jump into their guard (if they’re knocked down), instead she will continue to manage her distance and methodically look for the coup de grace. That controlled, ruthless aggressiveness has led her to a 14-0 record (12 knockouts, 1 submission, and 1 decision). The one opponent who lasted the distance against her, Paula Bittencourt, earned that distinction the hard way.

This past Friday, sometime after 10 PM in Saudi Arabia, the 26-year old Ditcheva became the inaugural PFL women’s flyweight (125 pounds) champion and the youngest PFL champion. For her efforts, she received the ubiquitous, gaudy, gold-plated belt and an oversized check for one million dollars. Her opponent, Talia Santos, who gave UFC Flyweight champion Valentina Schevenko everything she could handle in a split decision loss 2.5 years ago-- was there, at least the PFL brass hoped, to take part and let Ditcheva take over. Well, mission accomplished. Santos couldn’t deal with the high-level striking of the 5’8” Ditcheva and, more importantly, couldn’t get her to the ground (where she most certainly though she hold the advantage). Once that was realized, everyone in attendance knew the coronation was imminent. It took less than 10 minutes for Ditcheva to leave Santos in a standing fetal position along the side of the smart cage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fvHozIKR2M).

The Manchester, England native is a fight promoter’s dream. She’s a stone-cold assassin in the cage, self-assured, a little brash, family-oriented, hell-bent on improving, attractive, and she wants to fight the best to be the best. Training out of American Top Team, she will always have high-quality coaches and training partners to push her to her limits. From my perspective, the ultimate question is: How does the PFL keep her? Immediately following her victory over Santos, she talked openly about wanting challenges. She has already beaten the best fighter the promotion has to offer her at flyweight. So, where does Ditcheva go from here? Currently, she’s still contractually obligated to the PFL so we’ll likely see her in the smart cage in either February or April of 2025. However, after 2025, who knows. There are too many variables in play. However, one thing is certain, Ditcheva is that woman. If she were a stock, she’d be of the purple chip variety. She’s the face of the PFC. Will she be the face of WMMA? I say yes BUT there’s only one place to prove that…in the UFC. So, all aboard the Dakota Ditcheva express! One way or the other, it’s headed, dangerously, to superstardom.

Written by The Fight Doctor

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