Undefeated PFL women’s flyweight champion Dakota Diccheva expressed her dissatisfaction with the prolonged inert period as she waited for the PFL to confirm her next opponent. Ditcheva announced they would compete in July, but the opponent who left the British star at Limbo after last year’s dominant championship run has yet to be named.
Dakota Ditcheva speaks of dissatisfaction with inactivity, awaiting his opponent for the PFL return in July
Holding a perfect 14-0 professional record and two PFL titles, Dakota Ditcheva stopped former UFC title challenger Tera Santos when he last fought in November 2024, winning the PFL women’s flyweight championship and a million dollar award. Despite her rapid growth and status as one of the promotional marquee names, Diccheva was removed from the 2025 PFL Women’s Tournament.
In an interview with Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie, Dakota Ditcheva said:
“I haven’t heard much. I don’t hear much… What I really heard is like the winner of that tournament might fight me at the end of the year. It’s fine, but it leaves me with a very long time without a fight.
The 26-year-old champion has made it clear that staying active is a priority for her. We look at the mental challenge of not fighting after such a busy 2024 campaign. Dakota Diccheva continued:
“The awards were great and the belt was amazing, but for me I want to fight. I loved fighting four times last year. The year before that, the year before, I fought four times, so I was always an active fighter.
Competing this July, Dakota Diccheva said:
“I had a really positive conversation with Don (Davis) and I really did,” Diccheva shared on a recent broadcast. “I feel a little more optimistic now. Some fans who are worried about the possibility that I may not be competing this year should be safe. I’m going home. There’s no need to worry.”
The situation for Ditcheva has become even more complicated by the PFL’s decision to place most of the top candidates in the division in the current 2025 tournament, with few opponents available for title defense outside of the tournament. Despite speculation about possible moves to the UFC, Diccheva reaffirmed his commitment to the professional Fighters League, citing recent positive debates with PFL founder Don Davis and confirmation of his return in July.
“I’m not going out and enjoying millions. Anything else I think I’m doing. I’m ready to go. Me and my team, my coach wanted me to fight. So we want to fight, don’t worry.
“I know I’m ready, so whenever the PFL gives me something, I’ll be 100% aware. ‘Are you guys sharing everything on social media.’“
Due to her incredible 2024 MMA run, including a series of knockouts, Dakota Diccheva was named Rokibear’s 2024 Female Fighter of the Year.