Undefeated sensation Dakota Ditcheva returned to the PFL Smart Cage on Friday night with an opportunity to extend her streak and take home a million-dollar check.
‘Dangerous’ stepped into the co-main event spotlight at the PFL World Championship in Riyadh to compete in the evening’s highly anticipated flyweight tournament final. Standing in Ditchev’s way of earning the biggest win of her career was Taila Santos. The former UFC title challenger won three straight fights between the PFL regular season and playoffs, setting the stage for a showdown with the fan favorite from Manchester.
Round 1
Ditcheva gets things started with a leg kick and Santos fires one right back. Ditcheva continues to target the lead land of Santos and the former UFC standout shoots in for a takedown against the fence. Ditcheva defends, but Santos has both underhooks and is desperately trying to trip Ditcheva. Instead, Santos finds herself on the bottom, but Ditcheva chooses to stand up, letting Santos back to her feet.
Once upright, Santos shoots for the takedown again, but the fence keeps Ditcheva from going down. Santos manages to muscle Ditcheva down, but Ditcheva pops right back up, breaks the grip, and separates. Ditcheva lands a nice right hand followed by a glancing left. Ditcheva continues to tenderize Santos’ lead leg. Santos throws a flurry, but he can’t close the distance. Ditcheva lands a front kick to the face of Santos. Ditcheva is starting to open up, landing a combination punctuated by an elbow. Ditcheva moves in and lands a nasty knee to the body. Santos eats another right hand right before the bell as she desperately attempts to close the distance.
Round 2
Santos shoots in for a takedown right out of the gate but eats a couple of knees to the midsection from Ditcheva in the process. Ditcheva once again breaks Santos’ grip and separates herself from the fence. Ditcheva jabs to the body and lands another calf kick. Santos fires back with a jab of her own. Ditcheva continues working the body. Ditcheva once again lands a sneaky knee up the middle and follows it up with a front kick to the body. Ditcheva goes back to the lead leg and Santos now appears to be having some trouble putting weight on it.
Santos rushes in and clinches up against the fence, but Ditcheva reverses the position and separates. Ditcheva lands a push kick to the face and Santos appears to be hurt. Ditcheva throws a knee against the cage. Santos circles away and shoots for a desperate takedown attempt. Ditcheva reverses and lights up Santos with a couple of elbows followed by a brutal body shot that folds Santos.
Ditcheva lands a few more body shots before the referee moves in and calls for the stoppage in the second round.
Official Result: Dakota Ditcheva def. Taila Santos via TKO (body shots) at 4:41 of Round 2.
Check Out Highlights From Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos at the PFL World Championship:
Dakota Ditcheva is putting on a performance right now
— Verdict (@VerdictMMA) November 29, 2024
BODY SHOT FINISH! DAKOTA DITCHEVA IS THE 2024 PFL WOMENS FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION! #ANDNOW#PFLWorldChampionship
LIVE NOW ON ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/cU8qbGIiSe— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 29, 2024
