Dakota Ditcheva Wins PFL Flyweight Championship, Earns $1 Million Prize

Dakota Ditcheva, the 25-year-old English mixed martial artist, has made history by winning the Professional Fighters League (PFL) flyweight championship. On November 29, 2024, Ditcheva faced off against former UFC title challenger Taila Santos at the PFL World Championships in Saudi Arabia and emerged victorious.

Ditcheva’s performance was nothing short of impressive, showcasing her wrestling defense and striking skills. Despite Santos’s experience and accolades, Ditcheva dominated the fight, landing significant shots that left her opponent reeling. The fight ended in the second round when Ditcheva landed a crushing shot to the liver, forcing the referee to stop the fight due to Santos’s inability to continue.

This victory marks Ditcheva’s 14th consecutive win in her professional MMA career, solidifying her position as one of the top female fighters in the sport. Her win also comes with a $1 million prize, which she plans to use for a shopping spree and investments in property to secure her financial future.[

Ditcheva’s background in martial arts is extensive, having started her training at a young age under the influence of her mother, Lisa Howarth, a multiple-time world kickboxing champion. Before transitioning to MMA, Ditcheva competed in kickboxing and Muay Thai, winning several championships in these disciplines.

Her rise in the PFL has been meteoric, with Ditcheva securing several first-round victories against formidable opponents. Her latest win against Taila Santos is seen as a benchmark of her skills, further cementing her status as a top contender in women’s MMA.