Dakota Ditcheva Secures Top PFL Playoff Seed in Women’s Flyweight Division Following Dominant Performance
2024 PFL Women’s Flyweight Semifinals
#1 Dakota Ditcheva vs. #4 Jena Bishop
#2 Taila Santos vs. #3 Liz Carmouche
The Professional Fighters League (PFL), recognized as the fastest expanding and most innovative sports league, continued its 2024 PFL Global Season live from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The event, featuring eleven fights, highlighted the Heavyweight and Women’s Flyweight divisions, with eight fighters securing their spots in the 2024 PFL Playoffs.
The co-main event of the evening showcased Dakota Ditcheva and Chelsea Hackett in a Women’s Flyweight bout. Ditcheva delivered an outstanding performance, achieving a first-round TKO victory. Remaining undefeated with a record of 12-0, Ditcheva earned her tenth career knockout and secured the top Playoff seed in the division.
Valentin Moldavsky faced Linton Vassell in a much-anticipated trilogy matchup in the PFL SmartCage. After three grueling rounds, Vassell emerged victorious with a split decision, leading the series 2-1. Despite tonight’s loss, Moldavsky is set to participate in the 2024 PFL Global Season Playoffs.
In the Heavyweight Season, Denis Golstov and Thiago Santos competed with a spot in the 2024 PFL Global Season Playoffs at stake. Golstov, focused and determined, finished Santos in the first round via TKO, earning his ticket to his fifth PFL postseason.
In Women’s Flyweight action, former Bellator Women’s Flyweight Champion Liz Carmouche and Kana Watanabe engaged in a thrilling rematch. The match was evenly poised going into the third round and seemed destined for the judges’ scorecards. However, Carmouche secured an armbar submission with just eight seconds remaining, dramatically clinching a 2024 PFL Global Season Playoff berth.
PFL CEO Peter Murray commented on the event, “The 2024 PFL Global Season resumed this evening with the highest stakes as the Heavyweight and Women’s Flyweight divisions sought to secure 2024 PFL Global Playoff berths and continue their million-dollar journeys. The PFL is the only organization where athletes and fans know what is needed to advance, providing the best action and unparalleled synergy with the audience.”
Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations at PFL, added, “Tonight in Connecticut, we saw our world-class PFL athletes fight their way to the PFL Playoffs. We look forward to next week’s action in Salt Lake City. It is officially time to win or go home.”
In Women’s Flyweight action, Taila Santos and Jena Bishop competed, both with a viable shot at a berth in the 2024 PFL Playoffs. Both women gave it their all in the PFL SmartCage for three rounds, with Santos emerging victorious by split decision and securing a Playoff spot in her first PFL Season.
In a Heavyweight Global Season matchup, Oleg Popov defeated Davion Franklin by unanimous decision. Popov extended his winning streak to 16, the longest Heavyweight winning streak in MMA, and clinched a 2024 PFL Playoff berth in his first PFL Season.
In the Heavyweight division, Marcelo Golm and Tyrell Fortune battled it out, with the bout going the full three-round distance. Fortune claimed the unanimous decision win and secured three points in the Global Season standings.
In PFL Global Season Women’s Flyweight action, Ilara Joanne and Shanna Young exchanged blows for three rounds, but it was Joanne who secured a victory via unanimous decision and three points for the win.
In Heavyweight PFL Global Season action, Tim Johnson swiftly defeated Danilo Marques, scoring a first-round TKO. Johnson, now with a record of 18-9 and ten career knockouts, took the fight on short notice, earned six points, and secured a trip to the 2024 PFL Global Season Playoffs.
In an exciting PFL Global Season Women’s Flyweight bout, Juliana Velasquez used her striking skills to TKO Lisa Mauldin in the second round. Velasquez now holds a record of 13-3 with her fifth career knockout.
The night kicked off with a PFL Women’s Flyweight Showcase bout, where Sumiko Inaba defeated Saray Orozco by split decision. Inaba improved her career record to 7-1 in her PFL debut.
The 2024 PFL Global Season continues on Friday, June 21, from Salt Lake City, Utah, featuring Light Heavyweight and Lightweight action across ESPN platforms in the U.S. and via DAZN in Canada, Europe, and additional premium sports platforms internationally.
All 2024 PFL Global Season events are broadcast live across ESPN platforms in the U.S. and DAZN in Canada and Europe, with additional international premium sports platform distribution reaching 150 countries globally.