Dakota Ditcheva Makes History with PFL Flyweight Title Win

Dakota Ditcheva delivered a dominant performance to stop Taila Santos in the second round becoming the first British woman to win an MMA world title. The 26-year-old from Manchester claimed the Professional Fighters League (PFL) flyweight title and a $1 million prize in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia extending her unbeaten record to 14 wins, including 13 finishes. Ditcheva overwhelmed former UFC title challenger Santos with a mix of precise kicks, knees and punches.

The referee stepped in midway through the second round after a barrage of body shots sealed the victory. Known for her striking prowess, Ditcheva celebrated with her signature flair applying lipstick in the octagon before dedicating the win to her family and team. “I just beat the best girl out there,” Dakota Ditcheva said, addressing critics who doubted her toughness. “This belt is for my brother, who put his whole life on hold for me.”

With her impressive knockout rate and charisma, Ditcheva is being touted as a future superstar in MMA. Her win over Santos, a seasoned UFC fighter showcases her ability to compete at the highest levels of the sport. At 26, she is also the youngest PFL champion in history. Meanwhile, fellow Mancunian Brendan Loughnane fell short in his bid for a second PFL featherweight world title losing by unanimous decision to Russia’s Timur Khizriev.

Loughnane struggled with grappling exchanges and was unable to find his rhythm as Khizriev extended his unbeaten run to 18 fights. Despite a late rally in round four, Loughnane could not overcome the deficit. Ditcheva’s historic triumph cements her status as a trailblazer for British MMA while Loughnane vows to regroup after a challenging bout.