PFL flyweight contender Dakota Ditcheva has had an impressive rise since her debut in the promotion.
Ditcheva has earned two KO wins and competed in the 2023 Europe flyweight tournament, where she bagged the title. This solidified her place in the promotion, and she has since moved up to the main card,, where she has continued with her winning ways. The 25-year-old fighter has battled formidable opponents and handed a knockout loss to Lisa Mauldin. This impressive win gained her a spot in the PFL women’s flyweight finals, where she will battle Talia Santos.
The fighter’s rise to stardom has surprised the MMA world, and many of her fellow fighters feel she is undeserving of this position.
“There is definitely a little bit of jealousy, I think, and a bit of frustration from a few fighters,” Ditcheva told MMA Fighting. “I get it. Like you said, it’s a business. We have to be able to sell these fights in order to get paid. If you want to get paid, do something. Make your fights exciting, or get on social media and make an effort. You have to. The people were mad at these fighters; certain fighters were making money, but if you look at the ones making money, it’s the personalities in the sport. Or the fighters that are doing something different.
“I don’t know why anybody is getting frustrated just with me. Because I’m just like getting what I can out of my years in this sport, and I feel like that would be the clever thing to do.”
Ditcheva has suffered a lot of backlash from other fighters, as many believe she’s being given preferential treatment. One instance was her bout with Jena Bishop. Many believe Bishop should have faced more experienced veterans like Taila Santos or Liz Carmouche. Although there has been much criticism towards Ditcheva and accusations of favoritism, the chances of this being true are highly unlikely because points determine fights.
“You can’t predict it, and to be honest, I wouldn’t say I was happy about it,” Ditcheva explained. “I was expecting anything. You don’t know. Jena [Bishop] she lost and still placed in the top four. You don’t know what’s going to happen, so you’ve got to be ready for anything.
“I got a lot of stink for me facing Jena because Taila and Liz went together, but that’s just the way the tournament plays out. It’s not in anyone’s hands. It worked out good because I feel like this is probably one of the best fights that could have happened for the final.”
“I feel really lucky that I speak English,” Ditcheva said. “You need to be able to speak English in this industry, and if you don’t, you will get left behind a little bit. No one wants to read subtitles. That’s another thing. I hate to say that because I feel like I’m a bit spoiled that I speak English. It is an advantage for me, but it’s just how the business goes. \
“It’s not something I’ve chosen. It’s just the way things work. It goes over my head when people moan about it, and I just carry on getting what I can out of it.”
Ditcheva will luckily get a chance to prove her naysayers wrong when she faces Santos this weekend. The fighter is confident about winning her fight. However, she knows that no amount of popularity will help her career if she isn’t winning fights.
“She’s a very good fighter,” Ditcheva said about Santos. “I respect her a lot. She was a fighter I watched in the UFC. I know how tough she is. I know she’s a dangerous person. And, I always thought her striking was amazing there. I know who I’m up against but at the same time, I don’t feel like I’m not showing anything she showed. And, I feel like it’s going to be a very good fight and I’m excited for it for sure.
“I know what I’m capable of. Definitely [it could be another finish], and that’s what I will make happen if the opportunity’s there at the time. I will make sure I take the finish 100 percent. I’m ready for a five-round fight. I train for that every time. I’m not the type of fighter to go in there and be satisfied with a five-round fight.”
“Dangerous” is fully prepared for the bout, although she is unsure of Santos’ tactics. She has high hopes for her skills and is set on winning the PFL title and the $1 million cash prize.
