Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos – Odds and Match Preview

Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos PFL 2024The upcoming PFL MMA fight between Dakota Ditcheva and Taila Santos is shaping up to be an exciting matchup…

Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos PFL 2024

The upcoming PFL MMA fight between Dakota Ditcheva and Taila Santos is shaping up to be an exciting matchup between two highly skilled fighters with contrasting backgrounds and styles. This match goes down on November 29 and is a tournament final with one million dollars on the line.

Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos

In this matchup, Dakota Ditcheva is considered the favorite to win, while Taila Santos is the underdog. This likely has to do with how impressive Ditcheva has looked in her last several bouts winning nearly all of them by way of KO/TKO. If you like to play the odds then you can play the odds and games while betting with real money right here.

Additionally, MMA fighter and Olympic Judoka Kayla Harrison did not hesitate to pick ‘Dangerous’ Dakota Ditcheva over Talia Santos. In an interview with MMA Junkie, Harrison explained, “She’s just so f*cking good … I think she’s going to knock her out, second round … She is the real deal. She’s the full package, and I’m super excited for her. I think this is about to be a big coming-out party when she makes it look easy.”

‘Dangerous’ Dakota Ditcheva is an undefeated prodigy of MMA who has power in her kicks and punches having won an impressive 11 of her professional bouts by way of KO/TKO. She comes from a strong Muay Thai and Kickboxing background, taught by her mother Lisa Howarth since she was a child. Howarth held striking titles in Kickboxing, Karate, and Muay Thai.

Dakota Ditcheva Bishop PFL

The UK-born Dakota Ditcheva was a three-time Junior Amateur World Champion in Muay Thai before transitioning to MMA full-time in 2019. She has been making waves in the PFL, winning the inaugural PFL Europe Women’s Flyweight tournament in 2023 and continuing her success in the global PFL scene in 2024. She has now reached the finals, having won all of her matches by first-round KO, and is set to face Talia Santos.

Brazil’s Taila Santos brings a wealth of experience to the cage. With a 22-3 record, Santos is a former UFC title challenger who gave Valentina Shevchenko a tough fight for the UFC Flyweight Championship in 2022. Santos has a well-rounded skill set, with victories coming by knockout, submission, and decision. Since joining the PFL after her UFC stint, Santos has maintained her momentum with three consecutive wins.

Stylistically, ‘Dangerous‘ Ditcheva is expected to rely heavily on her Muay Thai background, using her powerful kicks, knees, and punches to control the fight on the feet. Santos is competent in striking, but will likely look to mix things up by taking the fight to the ground or controlling in the clinch against the cage, where she has shown great proficiency against fighters such as Valentina Shevchenko.

The championship fight is generating buzz in the MMA community. Santos’ experience and previous performance against top-tier competition make her a formidable opponent. This matchup will test Ditcheva and be an important moment in her career. It all goes down at PFL 10 2024 hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 29.

Dakota Ditcheva compared to Ronda Rousey: ‘She has the potential to be a superstar’

Dakota Ditcheva compared to Ronda Rousey: 'She has the potential to be a superstar'Unbeaten Manchester striker, Dakota Ditcheva has drawn massive comparisons to former undisputed UFC bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey — with…

Dakota Ditcheva compared to Ronda Rousey: 'She has the potential to be a superstar'

Unbeaten Manchester striker, Dakota Ditcheva has drawn massive comparisons to former undisputed UFC bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey — with the Muay Thai star on the track to stardom according to PFL (Professional Fighters League) commentator, Sean O’Connell.

Ditcheva, who featured just earlier this month the PFL flyweight tournament semi finals, booked a finale bout with an impressive first round front kick and strikes knockout win over Jena Bishop in Nashville, Tennessee.

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The Sale native improved to 13-0 as a professional with the victory — and awaits Octagon veteran, Taila Santos in the finale of the flyweight tournament under the banner of the PFL later this annum — having landed in the SmartCage just two years ago.

Dakota Ditcheva Bishop PFL

Dakota Ditcheva touted as potential star like Ronda Rousey

Landing stoppages in each of her subsequent seven victories — including six knockout wins and a separate rear-naked choke submission success, Ditcheva is on the fast track to stardom according to another UFC alum, O’Connell — who compared her to inaugural bantamweight queen, Rousey.

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“She (Dakota Ditcheva) has the potential to be a superstar but not for the same reasons as Ronda Rousey,” Sean O’Connell told talkSPORT. “Ronda was the pioneer, Ronda was the one that broke the barrier and got women into the UFC and unfortunately, that’s a milestone that can never be reached again even for someone with the star calibre of Dakota Ditcheva. You could make the argument that it’s going to be harder for Dakota to reach those heights of celebrity but she absolutely is capable of it.”

“First of all, because of how incredible she is as a fighter but also, she understands the media game, right?” O’Connell explained. “She knows exactly when to switch off that savage and become the sweetheart again. She’s got the look, she’s got the charisma and when you have that plus the ability to knock women out like she does, the sky is the limit.”

PFL Star Touted For Ronda Rousey-esque Growth: ‘She Knows Exactly When To Switch Off The Savage & Become The Sweetheart…’

Ronda Rousey will always be a massive part of the history of MMA and whilst she was a pioneer in many ways, no female fighter has been able to reach that same level of star power. There have been many athletes that come along with elements of star potential but the PFL’s Dakota Ditcheva appears […]

Continue Reading PFL Star Touted For Ronda Rousey-esque Growth: ‘She Knows Exactly When To Switch Off The Savage & Become The Sweetheart…’ at MMA News.

Ronda Rousey will always be a massive part of the history of MMA and whilst she was a pioneer in many ways, no female fighter has been able to reach that same level of star power.

There have been many athletes that come along with elements of star potential but the PFL’s Dakota Ditcheva appears to have everything.

It was clear that she had a special quality about her when talking to the media but of course, none of that matters if you can’t back it up in the cage.

Despite detractors regarding her quality of opponents, Ditcheva has beaten everyone that the PFL has put in front of her to go from winning the PFL Europe tournament last year to advancing to the finals of the regular season this year, where she will take on former UFC title challenger Taila Santos in a must-see bout.

Sean O’Connell Says Dakota Ditcheva Has Everything She Needs To Be A Huge Star

Ditcheva appeared on stage moments before the press conference for Francis Ngannou’s PFL debut, where she was joined by Jake Paul who compared her to Rousey.

PFL commentator Sean O’Connell believes that whilst she might be doing it in a different way, he can understand the comparisons between the former face of women’s MMA and one of the most exciting contenders around right now.

He spoke in an interview with TalkSPORT about how Ditcheva has the world at her feet because she ticks every box to become a huge star.

“She has the potential to be a superstar but not for the same reasons as Ronda Rousey. Ronda was the pioneer, Ronda was the one that broke the barrier and got women into the UFC and unfortunately, that’s a milestone that can never be reached again even for someone with the star caliber of Dakota Ditcheva. You could make the argument that it’s going to be harder for Dakota to reach those heights of celebrity but she absolutely is capable of it.

“First of all, because of how incredible she is as a fighter but also she understands the media game, right. She knows exactly when to switch off that savage and become the sweetheart again. She’s got the look, she’s got the charisma and when you have that plus the ability to knock women out like she does, the sky is the limit.”

Read also: 2024 PFL 9 Playoffs: Brendan Loughnane vs. Kai Kamaka III Results & Highlights (7 PM ET)

Continue Reading PFL Star Touted For Ronda Rousey-esque Growth: ‘She Knows Exactly When To Switch Off The Savage & Become The Sweetheart…’ at MMA News.

PFL Star Touted For Ronda Rousey-esque Growth: ‘She Knows Exactly When To Switch Off The Savage & Become The Sweetheart…’

Ronda Rousey will always be a massive part of the history of MMA and whilst she was a pioneer in many ways, no female fighter has been able to reach that same level of star power. There have been many athletes that come along with elements of star potential but the PFL’s Dakota Ditcheva appears […]

Continue Reading PFL Star Touted For Ronda Rousey-esque Growth: ‘She Knows Exactly When To Switch Off The Savage & Become The Sweetheart…’ at MMA News.

Ronda Rousey will always be a massive part of the history of MMA and whilst she was a pioneer in many ways, no female fighter has been able to reach that same level of star power.

There have been many athletes that come along with elements of star potential but the PFL’s Dakota Ditcheva appears to have everything.

It was clear that she had a special quality about her when talking to the media but of course, none of that matters if you can’t back it up in the cage.

Despite detractors regarding her quality of opponents, Ditcheva has beaten everyone that the PFL has put in front of her to go from winning the PFL Europe tournament last year to advancing to the finals of the regular season this year, where she will take on former UFC title challenger Taila Santos in a must-see bout.

Sean O’Connell Says Dakota Ditcheva Has Everything She Needs To Be A Huge Star

Ditcheva appeared on stage moments before the press conference for Francis Ngannou’s PFL debut, where she was joined by Jake Paul who compared her to Rousey.

PFL commentator Sean O’Connell believes that whilst she might be doing it in a different way, he can understand the comparisons between the former face of women’s MMA and one of the most exciting contenders around right now.

He spoke in an interview with TalkSPORT about how Ditcheva has the world at her feet because she ticks every box to become a huge star.

“She has the potential to be a superstar but not for the same reasons as Ronda Rousey. Ronda was the pioneer, Ronda was the one that broke the barrier and got women into the UFC and unfortunately, that’s a milestone that can never be reached again even for someone with the star caliber of Dakota Ditcheva. You could make the argument that it’s going to be harder for Dakota to reach those heights of celebrity but she absolutely is capable of it.

“First of all, because of how incredible she is as a fighter but also she understands the media game, right. She knows exactly when to switch off that savage and become the sweetheart again. She’s got the look, she’s got the charisma and when you have that plus the ability to knock women out like she does, the sky is the limit.”

Read also: 2024 PFL 9 Playoffs: Brendan Loughnane vs. Kai Kamaka III Results & Highlights (7 PM ET)

Continue Reading PFL Star Touted For Ronda Rousey-esque Growth: ‘She Knows Exactly When To Switch Off The Savage & Become The Sweetheart…’ at MMA News.

Dakota Ditcheva wins with another first-round knockout, will face Talia Santos in the PFL Finals

Dakota Ditcheva Bishop PFL‘Dangerous’ Dakota Ditcheva continues her first-round knockout win streak in the PFL. With these wins, she will face former…

Dakota Ditcheva Bishop PFL

‘Dangerous’ Dakota Ditcheva continues her first-round knockout win streak in the PFL. With these wins, she will face former UFC contender Talia Santos in the PFL finals later this year. Last night at PFL 7, both Ditcheva and Santos won their matches but the English Ditcheva did so with an impressive finish.

Dakota Ditcheva vs. Jena Bishop Knockout Highlights

The UK-born Dakota Ditcheva was able to the finals of PFL Europe in 2023 with a first-round knockout finish. Once in the main PFL organization in 2024, she has now been able to defeat Lisa Mauldin, Chelsea Hackett, and Jena Bishop all by knockout in the first round.

Last night at PFL 7, she finished the skilled grappler Jena Bishop with a mix of knees, kicks, and punches.

With this win, Dakota Ditcheva will next face Talia Santos.

While speaking in an interview with me last year, the UK-born Dakota Ditcheva discussed her motivation and how she feels as though she does all of this for her mother. With world titles in karate, kickboxing, and Muay Thai Lisa Howarth raised Ditcheva with striking knowledge. Ditcheva explained:

“My striking has all come from my mum. And, even though I’ve got these amazing coaches now that are helping me, the coaches I’ve had along the way have just added and added to my game. All my fundamentals are from my mum. Everything was from her. She’s the woman that’s got me here for sure, and that’s just that skillset, mentally, everything. And, this belt will definitely be for her. She deserves it more than me. Sometimes I feel like I’m, I’m fighting for her, and that’s what motivates me.”

Talia Santos vs. Liz Carmouche Highlights

Also at PFL 7, the former UFC contender Talia Santos faced former Bellator champion Liz Carmouche. Brazil’s Santos was able to defeat Carmouche from bell to bell. Overall in 2024, Santos has defeated Jena Bishop, Ilara Joanne, and Carmouche. With these victories, Santos is set to face Ditcheva in the PFL finals for one million dollars.

Taila Santos Slams PFL Over Dakota Ditcheva’s ‘Easy’ Opponents

Taila Santos Slams PFL Over Dakota Ditcheva’s 'Easy' OpponentsTaila Santos believes Dakota Ditcheva was given a much easier path to the PFL Playoffs. Both Santos, who once…

Taila Santos Slams PFL Over Dakota Ditcheva’s 'Easy' Opponents

Taila Santos believes Dakota Ditcheva was given a much easier path to the PFL Playoffs.

Both Santos, who once gave Valentina Shevchenko a run for her money inside the Octagon, and Ditcheva are one win away from advancing to the PFL flyweight final. Santos has gone 2-0 since making her Smart Cage debut earlier this year, defeating Ilara Joanne and Jena Bishop during the regular season.

But despite her own success, the one-time UFC title challenger believes Ditcheva was handed more favorable matchups to secure her spot in the final four.

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“The fights they were giving her in the beginning, it’s pretty clear they were giving her an easy run so she could make it to the finals,” Santos told MMA Fighting. “That’s why I said I want to show her what a real fight is all about, a tough fight. I fought tough fights since the beginning and I don’t care. That’s exactly what I want. I want to tough fights to show I’m the best.”

Ditcheva scored the No. 1 seed in the playoffs with wins over Lisa Mauldin, a 6-5 fighter from California, and Chelsea Hackett, a 4-3-1 Aussie who made an appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020. Ditcheva earned her way into this year’s regular season after winning the PFL Europe Championship in 2023, running through three opponents with a combined record of 13-10.

Meanwhile, Santos has more than proven herself by going five rounds with former UFC flyweight titleholder Valentina Shevchenko and earning wins over the likes of Joanne Wood, Roxanne Modafferi, Molly McCann, and Gillian Robertson.

Taila Santos

Though she’s by no means looking past her next opponent, Santos can’t help but salivate over the idea of meeting Ditcheva in the tournament final.

“It’s going to be really interested to have both of us getting to this final and fighting each other,” Santos said. “I just want to be in the final and face whoever, but it would be quite interesting to fight her. I would really like to fight Dakota because fans would like this one. People are talking about this fight, and I want to show her what a real fight is like. It would be exciting. I’m very excited to face her, really.”

Taila Santos will have to go through women’s MMA legend liz Carmouche if she wants to meet Ditcheva in the flyweight final

But to get there, Taila Santos will have to get past two-time UFC title challenger and current Bellator flyweight women’s champion, Liz Carmouche.

“It’s an incredible fight. All respect to her, an incredible athlete as well, a veteran, and it’s an honor for me to fight her,” Santos said. “I’m very versatile as a fighter, although I grew up training Muay Thai before training jiu-jitsu and wrestling and everything else. I feel super comfortable in all areas today. I like it a lot, and I know she tries to grapple more, to back her opponents against the cage and impose her game. It’s going to be a very interesting game.”

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As for how she sees things playing out in Ditcheva’s semi-final scrap with Jena Bishop, Santos isn’t entirely convinced that the Manchester native will get the job done.

“I think it’s going to be close,” Santos said. “It won’t be an easy fight for either one of them. If Jena can close the distance and take her down quickly and not give Dakota space on the feet — Dakota knows her to use her reach and she’s powerful. Jena surprised me, she’s really strong and I wasn’t expecting that. She’s very experienced, so she can win this if she can close the distance.”

“I came here to win this belt,” Santos added. “I’m ready to go to the final and win, no matter who I’m fighting there. I’m here to fight the best.”

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