Manchester’s Dakota Ditcheva was the star of the show as the playoffs for the PFL’s heavyweight and women’s flyweight divisions took place in Nashville, Tennessee.
Competing in the co-main event of the evening, Ditcheva faced American Jena Bishop, who was expected to pose a tough test, with her wrestling and grappling skills thought to be a major obstacle for Ditcheva to overcome.
Ditcheva faced that test early in Round 1, as Bishop closed the distance, picked her up and slammed her down to the mat. But Ditcheva stayed calm and managed to work her way back to her feet. Then she gave Bishop a taste of her own specialty.
After gaining separation, Ditcheva lined up Bishop and folded her up with knees to send Bishop down to the mat. Then, after waving Bishop back up to her feet, Ditcheva landed a big straight right to send her straight back down again for a statement-making first-round knockout.
Ditcheva then shushed her opponent, and various people at cageside, as she answered back at those who had suggested that she would get found out against an elite grappler.
Instead, she claimed the 13th win of her perfect professional career, and booked her spot in the $1 million PFL women’s flyweight final, where she’ll face Taila Santos, who outpointed Bellator champion Liz Carmouche in the night’s other flyweight semi-final to earn her place in the season finale.
“Did they expect it? Because I’ve took a lot of crap talking off the internet, the whole of fight week, of all the girls in the tournament. I think I’ve proved enough right there. We don’t do split decisions around here!”
Ditcheva’s rise has met with some criticism from some quarters, with some suggesting she has been handed favourable matchups. Bishop was expected to provide a stern test, but after Ditcheva dispensed with her in less than a round, she fired back at the doubters adn the critics, including Bishop and her team.
“It’s irritating a lot of people. I mean, Jena, her whole team, the ‘mean girls’ that she’s got there at her club. Whatever. They’ve been talking and tagging me in stuff all fight week. She’s just going to join a list of cans now. Take a seat!”
Ditcheva now stands just one win away from the 2024 PFL women’s flyweight championship, and a cheque for $1 million. Her final test will come in the form of Santos, who has also had a few things to say about Ditcheva this season. Ditcheva has taken note, and is looking forward to facing the seasoned Brazilian contender in the season finale.
“Another one that likes to talk. But a very tough girl who has proven herself, so I’m looking forward to it. This is a fight so many people have wanted to see, so I’ll be there to put on a show, and it’s not going to be another boring three-rounder, that’s for sure. Now when I’m involved.”
The heavyweight final was also decided on the night, as Russians Denis Goltsov and Oleg Popov earned their spots in the finele with victories over Tim Johnson and Linton Vassell, respectively.
PFL 7: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Denis Goltsov def. Tim Johnson via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:26
- Dakota Ditcheva def. Jena Bishop via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 3:54
- Oleg Popov def. Linton Vassell via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Taila Santos def. Liz Carmouche via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Sergei Bilostenniy def. Tyrell Fortune via verbal submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 2:00
- Alexei Pergande def. Daniel Boehle via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Cody Law def. Zack Hicks via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:15
- Dedrek Sanders def. Sergios Cossio via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:34
- Anthony Ivy def. Jaleel Willis via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:49
- Kevin Pease def. Nick Meck via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
