Dakota Ditcheva has leveled up in confidence ahead of her 2024 PFL Championship final with former UFC title challenger Taila Santos.
Ditcheva (13-0) will look to cap off her perfect PFL season by winning the $1 million women’s flyweight title when she takes on Santos (22-3) at the Nov. 29 event, which takes place King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event streams on ESPN+.
The unbeaten 26-year-old has rolled through her competition this season, scoring first-round finishes of Jena Bishop, Chelsea Hackett and Lisa Mauldin – all in less than four minutes each. Santos, meanwhile, won decisions over Bishop and Liz Carmouche after a first-round submission of Ilara Joanne in her season opener.
Santos, 31, has the far more decorated career that includes a number of key victories, as well as a controversial decision loss to Valentina Shevchenko in a June 2022 title fight at UFC 275. Despite that, Ditcheva isn’t expecting the outcome to look any different from the others this year.
“I respect her totally,” Ditcheva told MMA Junkie. “I know what she’s capable of. I used to watch her when she was in the UFC, and think she’s an amazing fighter. So I know what I’m up against for sure. I knew before the tournament, before the season even started, that she was going to be one of the ones to watch out for. So I’m in no denial there.
“I also know what I’m capable of, and I don’t feel like I have anything to worry about here. It’s going to be a good fight, and I’m excited for that. It’s going to be a real good test, but I’m 100 percent ready for it. I feel what I’ve shown in the tournament, it’s going to be a re-run. My fourth highlight, for sure.”
Ditcheva vs. Santos: A clash of styles
The clash of styles for the title bout is clear. Ditcheva has has finished 11 of her 13 wins by some form of knockout, and within that has displayed a diverse striking arsenal. She’s put away opponents courtesy of head and body shots, and has done it with her hands, elbows, knees and feet.
Santos, however, will be a different task. The Brazilian has never been stopped in 25 fights, and two of her three career losses – all by decision – were questionable split decision defeats. She has the ability to stifle any opponent on the right night.
Still, though, Ditcheva is certain she is built to deliver a unique challenge Santos.
“The difference between me and Taila is that she wants to go to the floor, and she’s happy to stay there and fight it out, whereas I want to get up and start striking with you,” Ditcheva said. “I’m going to get up and put on a show for the fans. If she thinks I’m going to do a Jena (Bishop) and fight with her on the floor and waste my time there – that might happen for a little bit, but I’ll be back up to my feet ready to put on a show for the fans again.”
Will Ditcheva’s plan come together?
Ditcheva’s impressive tenure under the PFL so far has generated conversation about her potential to be a true home-grown star for a company in need of them. She has delivered every step of the way to this point, and the Brit is now on the doorstep of a potentially defining test.
It’s a high-pressure moment on paper, but for Ditcheva, it’s merely another part of a vision for her career that she’s put all her efforts and belief behind.
“This is kind of what I planned for when I signed with PFL,” Ditcheva said. “I wanted to win the European title, then I wanted to go on and do the PFL Global and win that world championship. It has all fallen into place, and as long as I keep working hard, I’m trusting that this will happen this time. I will be world champion and then we’ll be on to the next thing.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL Championship.
