Dakota Ditcheva, the new face of PFL’s women’s flyweight division, is uncertain about her 2025 plans as she seeks better competition and considers options beyond the season-long tournament, including potential pay-per-view fights, while emphasizing the importance of PFL finding new talent to maintain her progression and legacy.
Dakota Ditcheva has arguably become the new face of the PFL, thanks to her dominant run in the women’s flyweight division in 2024. But now, a question looms: what’s next for her?
At 26, this fighter from England is facing a pivotal year. She doesn’t have all the answers yet. After claiming a championship and the accompanying $1 million prize, Ditcheva aims to continue climbing the ranks at 125 pounds. However, this will require her to face newer and tougher competition.
Her plans for 2025 remain undecided. Should she rejoin the PFL season-long tournament? Or perhaps target one-off fights that could land on major events like pay-per-view “super fight” shows?
Ditcheva shared her thoughts with MMA Fighting, saying, “Obviously, the merger with Bellator is perfect.” She acknowledges Bellator’s talented flyweights as potential opponents. Yet, she wonders if fans want to see her in another tournament or prefer a pay-per-view card.
“Would it be better to put me on a big fight card?” she muses. Could promoting her on pay-per-view work? Maybe if it’s a big fight in Manchester with some big names.
She’s already taken out top contenders, finishing former UFC title challenger Taila Santos at the year-end PFL card in November. Yet, Ditcheva knows PFL needs to bolster its roster with bigger and better competition.
Comparisons arise with Kayla Harrison, who faced Larissa Pacheco three times despite beating her twice before—only to lose in their third bout. The flyweight division offers more depth than Harrison’s 155-pound category, but Ditcheva wants to avoid similar repetitive matchups.
Reflecting on Harrison’s path and her own future, Ditcheva says, “Kayla fighting Pacheco three times—was it necessary? I don’t know.” For Ditcheva, winning once isn’t enough; she seeks continuous challenges that motivate her.
The past two years have been about progression for Ditcheva. From the Europe season to the global stage, she has climbed steadily and decisively. Now at 26, she refuses to stagnate and emphasizes the importance of continued growth.
PFL must recognize Ditcheva’s potential and value to the organization—especially after losing Harrison to the UFC. For Harrison, joining UFC was about legacy rather than money.
Ditcheva harbors similar aspirations and trusts that PFL will find fights that not only keep her active but also elevate her standing among flyweights worldwide.
“One thing I will say,” Ditcheva notes, “people were commenting all the time about UFC missing out on PFL [Europe].” The PFL’s strategy of scouting young talent from Europe brought them fighters like her.
She believes they’re smart and expects them to devise something exciting for her future.