Brazilian's executioner in PFL finals responds to fans about following in Kayla Harrison's footsteps in UFC

Dakota Ditcheva won $1 million by defeating Taila Santos in the PFL finals / PFL Reproduction

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Young Dakota Ditcheva continues her rise in MMA. The fighter was awarded a check for US$ 1 million (around R$ 5,9 million at the current exchange rate) after defeating the Brazilian Taila Santos in the PFL finals, last Friday (29). Women's flyweight champion (up to 56,7 kg), 'Dangerous' remains undefeated in the league.

After the knockout victory, which came in a sequence of blows initiated by a brutal elbow, Dakota Ditcheva responded to fans who advised her to imitate the movement of her teammate, the two-time Olympic judo champion Kayla harrison, to switch from the PFL to the UFC. This is because many are already imagining a clash of strikers between 'Dangerous' and the current flyweight champion of the rival organization, Valentina Shevchenko.

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In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, hosted by journalist Ariel Helwani, Ditcheva clarified her future with the PFL and responded to calls for her to follow Harrison to the UFC.

“Nobody is going to be happy. The next thing now is ‘Oh, but she’s not going to fight Shevchenko… would she beat her?’ I expected that. I’m stuck in the PFL and I’ll definitely fight for the PFL next year. I have to defend [the title], I don’t plan on giving up that belt yet. I’m only 26 and I have a lot more to give to the PFL and hopefully we can make a super [fight] next year,” she explained.

In addition to Ditcheva, Chris Cyborg e Larissa pacheco are the two biggest female names on the current PFL roster, but she would have to move up to featherweight (up to 65,7 pounds) to make those fights happen. Cyborg is also nearing retirement after a long and decorated career in the cage.

“I felt like I got stronger throughout the year. But I feel like the only other person is Liz Carmouche… I’m not really interested in going down [in the competition], I need to move up, I want that competition and fighting elite people. I feel like fighting in a big super fight would benefit me more, would people want to see me back in the tournament fighting the same girls again? I’m not sure people would enjoy that,” she added.

Kayla Harrison and the PFL

Since making her UFC debut in April, Harrison has been a frequent target of PFL founder Donn Davis in the media, accusing her of shying away from big-name fights with Cyborg and others.

Before joining the UFC, Harrison was the star of the PFL, winning two championship belts and a string of impressive victories. A loss to Pacheco in PFL Championship 2022 broke an unbeaten streak of 15 fights.

Ditcheva and Harrison are undoubtedly two of the best female fighters in the world, and the comparisons between them have some merit. Time will tell whether Ditcheva eventually signs with the UFC or remains on board with the PFL’s growing platform.

Kayla harrison fighting for the PFL. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/@PFLMMA