Tag: PFL MMA

Female Fighter of the Year – LowKick MMA 2024 Awards – Dakota Ditcheva

Fighter of the Year – LowKick MMA 2024 Awards - Dakota DitchevaDakota Ditcheva’s 2024 will be remembered as a historic year for one of women’s MMA’s most impressive talents. The…

Fighter of the Year – LowKick MMA 2024 Awards - Dakota Ditcheva

Dakota Ditcheva’s 2024 will be remembered as a historic year for one of women’s MMA’s most impressive talents. The 26-year-old British fighter solidified her place among the sport’s elite by claiming the PFL Women’s Flyweight World Championship in November, defeating former UFC contender Taila Santos via second-round TKO. The first to ever stop Santos.

Female Fighter of the Year – LowKick MMA 2024 Awards – Dakota Ditcheva

Dakota Ditcheva’s victory was historic, making her the youngest PFL world champion at just 26 years and 4 months old. She also became the first fighter to win both a PFL regional title, securing the 2023 PFL Europe crown, and a PFL World Title. Winning all of these matchups by way of KO/TKO. She grew up training Muay Thai and kickboxing from her mother, Lisa Howarth, who herself was a world champion in Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Karate.

Dakota 4

Her championship campaign in 2024 was nothing short of dominant. Dakota Ditcheva’s path to gold included wins over Lisa Mauldin, Chelsea Hackett, and Jena Bishop, winning most of these by knockout. The final victory against Santos stood out as particularly impressive, as Ditcheva became the first fighter to finish the durable Brazilian veteran.

dakota ditcheva pfl 1 1

‘Dangerous’ Ditcheva has lived up to her moniker, extending her undefeated record to 14-0, with an astonishing 12 wins by knockout.

Dakota Ditcheva 1

Ditcheva began her combat sports journey at just four years old and went on to win gold at the 2016 IFMA Muay Thai World Championships as an amateur. Training out of Manchester Top Team and supplementing her preparation with stints at American Top Team in Florida, Ditcheva has benefited from world-class coaching and training partners. Her rapid ascent in the PFL has drawn comparisons to the sport’s biggest stars, such as Ronda Rousey.

For now, Ditcheva remains the crown jewel of the PFL. Her 2024 campaign cemented her status as a legitimate world-class fighter. If this year is any indication, the future is exceedingly bright for the British phenom. Which is why she has been chosen as the Female Fighter of the Year in 2024 by LowKick MMA.

dakota ditcheva pfl santos

Female Fighter of the Year – LowKick MMA 2024 Awards – Dakota Ditcheva

Fighter of the Year – LowKick MMA 2024 Awards - Dakota DitchevaDakota Ditcheva’s 2024 will be remembered as a historic year for one of women’s MMA’s most impressive talents. The…

Fighter of the Year – LowKick MMA 2024 Awards - Dakota Ditcheva

Dakota Ditcheva’s 2024 will be remembered as a historic year for one of women’s MMA’s most impressive talents. The 26-year-old British fighter solidified her place among the sport’s elite by claiming the PFL Women’s Flyweight World Championship in November, defeating former UFC contender Taila Santos via second-round TKO. The first to ever stop Santos.

Female Fighter of the Year – LowKick MMA 2024 Awards – Dakota Ditcheva

Dakota Ditcheva’s victory was historic, making her the youngest PFL world champion at just 26 years and 4 months old. She also became the first fighter to win both a PFL regional title, securing the 2023 PFL Europe crown, and a PFL World Title. Winning all of these matchups by way of KO/TKO. She grew up training Muay Thai and kickboxing from her mother, Lisa Howarth, who herself was a world champion in Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Karate.

Dakota 4

Her championship campaign in 2024 was nothing short of dominant. Dakota Ditcheva’s path to gold included wins over Lisa Mauldin, Chelsea Hackett, and Jena Bishop, winning most of these by knockout. The final victory against Santos stood out as particularly impressive, as Ditcheva became the first fighter to finish the durable Brazilian veteran.

dakota ditcheva pfl 1 1

‘Dangerous’ Ditcheva has lived up to her moniker, extending her undefeated record to 14-0, with an astonishing 12 wins by knockout.

Dakota Ditcheva 1

Ditcheva began her combat sports journey at just four years old and went on to win gold at the 2016 IFMA Muay Thai World Championships as an amateur. Training out of Manchester Top Team and supplementing her preparation with stints at American Top Team in Florida, Ditcheva has benefited from world-class coaching and training partners. Her rapid ascent in the PFL has drawn comparisons to the sport’s biggest stars, such as Ronda Rousey.

For now, Ditcheva remains the crown jewel of the PFL. Her 2024 campaign cemented her status as a legitimate world-class fighter. If this year is any indication, the future is exceedingly bright for the British phenom. Which is why she has been chosen as the Female Fighter of the Year in 2024 by LowKick MMA.

dakota ditcheva pfl santos

Exclusive | Abdullah Al-Qahtani: Saudi Arabia’s MMA Pioneer Inspired by Badr Hari

Abdullah Al-Qahtani Badr HariAbdullah Al-Qahtani made history on November 29, 2024, by winning the PFL MENA Featherweight Championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia….

Abdullah Al-Qahtani Badr Hari

Abdullah Al-Qahtani made history on November 29, 2024, by winning the PFL MENA Featherweight Championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 26-year-old fighter defeated Marouane Bellagouit by TKO in the first round, securing his place as one of the top names in MMA. With this victory, Al-Qahtani improved his professional record to 10-2, earning both the championship belt and a $100,000 prize.

Abdullah Al-Qahtani

This PFL MENA title was the culmination of years of hard work. “Oh, it’s perfect,” Abdullah Al-Qahtani told me in a conversation. “I worked for this, and now I got my belt. This is what I wanted from the beginning of my journey. I wanted something big.”

Badr Hari

Raised in Saudi Arabia with Moroccan roots, Al-Qahtani was inspired by the legendary kickboxer Badr Hari, a household name in Morocco. As a child, he would watch Hari on YouTube and TV, marveling at his knockout power. “When I saw Badr Hari, I thought, ‘This guy is huge!’” Al-Qahtani said. “I wanted to be like him.” What Badr Hari did for combat sports in Morocco, Al-Qahtani is looking to do the same in Saudi Arabia alongside the PFL.

Badr Hari

Looking ahead, Al-Qahtani is already planning his next steps. He’s excited for the future and eager to represent Saudi Arabia on the global stage. “I don’t just want to be a normal fighter,” he said. “I want to be someone people look up to.”

Abdullah Al Qahtani
Photo By Tim Wheaton

Interview with Abdullah Al-Qahtani

“F*** it” Francis Ngannou Cuts Ties with Jon Jones Hype “That’s Not My Problem”

"F*** it" Francis Ngannou Cuts Ties with Jon Jones Hype "That's Not My Problem"Francis Ngannou has had enough. The former UFC heavyweight champion, who left the promotion amid contract disputes in 2022,…

"F*** it" Francis Ngannou Cuts Ties with Jon Jones Hype "That's Not My Problem"

Francis Ngannou has had enough. The former UFC heavyweight champion, who left the promotion amid contract disputes in 2022, is putting an end to the persistent speculation surrounding a potential fight with Jon Jones, one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.

Francis Ngannou Talks Jon Jones

In a candid statement, Francis Ngannou dismissed any further discussions about the long-rumored bout, stating, “It’s been four years that I’ve been singing. I’m confused that people keep asking me this question, like, ‘Is it… it’s been four years. That’s not my problem. I don’t care about it anymore. If it happens, yes. If it doesn’t, f*** it.”

Ngannou’s frustration with the ongoing questions about a Jon Jones fight comes after years of fans and analysts dreaming of the matchup. Jones, who became the youngest UFC champion at 23 and has since cemented himself as one of the sport’s legends, recently moved up to heavyweight and won the title by defeating Ciryl Gane in March 2023. However, despite Jones’ undeniable skill and dominance in the octagon, his career has been marred by controversies outside of it, including failed drug tests and legal issues. Additionally, ‘Bones’ waited for Ngannou to leave the company before moving to heavyweight.

Since walking away from the UFC, Ngannou has ventured into boxing, where he faced Tyson Fury in a competitive bout, and Anthony Joshua in a blockbuster fight, plus signed with the PFL, where he recently claimed their inaugural Super Fights Heavyweight Championship.

Francis Ngannou PFL
Francis Ngannou

While the fight may still be one of MMA’s biggest “what if” scenarios, Francis Ngannou is moving forward. With new challenges in boxing and the PFL, the former UFC champion is focused on what lies ahead, leaving the Jon Jones hype in the past. Saudi Arabia, involved in boxing, the PFL, and the UFC, might be planning for this fight. The PFL is willing, but it is unlikely the UFC will budge on this.

Fans Cry Foul as Kayla Harrison Edges Out Dakota Ditcheva for 2024 ESPN Honor

Fans Cry Foul as Kayla Harrison Edges Out Dakota Ditcheva for 2024 ESPN HonorDakota Ditcheva or Kayla Harrison? Kayla Harrison has been named ESPN’s Female Fighter of the Year for 2024. While…

Fans Cry Foul as Kayla Harrison Edges Out Dakota Ditcheva for 2024 ESPN Honor

Dakota Ditcheva or Kayla Harrison? Kayla Harrison has been named ESPN’s Female Fighter of the Year for 2024. While Harrison’s accomplishments are impressive, the decision has sparked a debate among fans, with many arguing that Dakota Ditcheva had a stronger case for the award.

Kayla Harrison Or Dakota Ditcheva

Kayla Harrison is a former Olympic judo gold medalist who had an incredible run in the PFL and later transitioned to the UFC. Her debut came at UFC 300 in April, where she submitted former bantamweight champion Holly Holm in the second round. This victory immediately placed her among the top contenders in the 135-pound division. Harrison solidified her position in October at UFC 307, defeating Ketlen Vieira by unanimous decision. The two wins improved her professional record to 18-1.

However, fans have pointed to Dakota Ditcheva’s perfect year as a strong counterargument to Harrison’s selection. Competing in the PFL, Ditcheva delivered four dominant performances, with her becoming the youngest champion in PFL history.

She kicked off the year with back-to-back TKO victories over Lisa Mauldin and Chelsea Hackett, then secured a semifinal win against Jena Bishop in August also via knockout.

In November, Ditcheva claimed the PFL Women’s Flyweight Tournament title and a $1 million prize by defeating former UFC title challenger Taila Santos via TKO. The 25-year-old British fighter ended 2024 with a flawless 14-0 record, earning her recognition as the first British female MMA world champion. Additionally, she was the first fighter ever to stop Santos.

Kayla Harrison Or Dakota Ditcheva

Critics of ESPN’s decision argue that Ditcheva’s historic achievements and unbeaten record should have tipped the scales in her favor. While Harrison’s UFC debut and victories were significant, some fans believe they fell short of Ditcheva’s remarkable run through the PFL tournament. Harrison defeated an over-the-hill Holm and narrowly edged Viera while Ditcheva dominated the field and made history.

Fans Balk at Harrison over Ditcheva

Here are various comments by fans:

“I love Kayla but Dakota Ditcheva would like to have a word…”

“Dakota Ditcheva is 4-0 in 2024 under the PFL banner with 4 knockouts. She’s you’re real 2024 WMMA Fighter of the Year winner.”

“Dakota Ditcheva should have won this. 4-0 over the year, all KO wins with no girl making it out of the 2nd round.”

“Dakota ditcheva should’ve won she went 4-0 in 2024 all by tko”

Champion Johnny Eblen Calls Out Jake Paul for MMA Fight Under Modified Rules

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake PaulJohnny Eblen, Bellator’s undefeated Middleweight Champion, is targeting none other than Jake Paul. In a bold statement on social…

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake Paul

Johnny Eblen, Bellator’s undefeated Middleweight Champion, is targeting none other than Jake Paul. In a bold statement on social media, Eblen directly challenged ‘The Problem Child’ Paul, the popular social media star and boxer.

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake Paul

In a comment directed at Jake Paul, Johnny Eblen said:

“@jakepaul fight me in MMA with modified rules. We both signed to the @pflmma, why not. Let’s run it.”

johnny eblen vs Jake Paul

The challenge carries weight, as both athletes are currently under contract with the PFL. While Eblen’s MMA credentials are unquestionable, boasting a perfect 16-0 record and a dominant wrestling background, Paul has primarily made waves in boxing. However, Paul’s involvement with PFL suggests he’s open to competing in mixed martial arts.

Johnny Eblen has cemented his status as one of the world’s top middleweights, thanks to his dominant title reign in Bellator. Known for his aggressive and technical style, he has successfully defended his title multiple times since capturing it in 2022.

Jake Paul, 27, has carved a unique path in combat sports. After achieving fame as a social media influencer, he transitioned to professional boxing, amassing an 11-1 record. His fights often spark controversy but draw massive attention, with his latest victory over Mike Tyson in November 2024 generating the largest boxing gate in U.S. history outside Las Vegas.

A potential Eblen-Paul fight would bring together two figures in MMA and boxing. While Eblen has proven himself in the cage, Paul’s willingness to explore MMA, especially under modified rules, could bring even more intrigue to the matchup.

Whether this challenge materializes into an actual bout remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Johnny Eblen isn’t afraid to mix it up. Now, the ball is in Jake Paul’s court.