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Dakota Ditcheva might be the future of the flyweight division. But if you ask her, she’s the present.
The undefeated Englishwoman has already captured a PFL Europe title and now seeks to add a 2024 PFL championship—and its $1 million prize—to her list of accolades. In 11 pro bouts, Ditcheva has been a wrecking machine with just one of her fights going the distance.
Inevitably, fans will want to know if the 25-year-old Ditcheva plans to ever challenge some of the bigger names in the UFC, such as Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko. Asked about those matchups on The MMA Hour, Ditcheva didn’t blink.
“I could have the title if I went there,” Ditcheva said. “Yeah, I think I could [beat Grasso and Shevchenko]. I definitely think I’d be up there.”
So far, Ditcheva has impressed against lesser-known competition, with her most recent win against Lisa Mauldin ending in under four minutes. The rest of the 2024 flyweight tournament roster includes several veteran names, including Bellator champion Liz Carmouche and one-time UFC title challenger Taila Santos, who lost a razor-close decision to Shevchenko at UFC 275. Ditcheva hopes to take on the league newcomers and silence the doubters.
“I think we’ll see that when I win this season now and I can say I beat someone like Liz Carmouche and Taila Santos,” Ditcheva said. “As soon as I’ve beat them, what else can people expect other than greatness for the rest of the year?”
When or if Ditcheva gets her chance to take on the likes of Grasso, Shevchenko, or any other fighter on the UFC’s talented flyweight roster is anybody’s guess, but it won’t be happening anytime soon as long as she continues to dominate her competition in the PFL.
Ditcheva mentioned that as long as she’s winning tournaments, she doesn’t expect to fight elsewhere, but she trusts the league to do right by her.
“With the tournament now, I know I’m going to win this tournament, and that automatically puts me into another year anyway,” Ditcheva said. “If I keep winning the tournament, I’m going to be here making my money and cashing all the checks.”