After impressing in a Showcase bout during the 2022 PFL World Championships, Dakota Ditcheva has continued to be dominant in the PFL SmartCage. Ditcheva ran through Malin Hermansson, Cornelia Holm and Valentina Scatizzi to earn the inaugural PFL Europe women’s flyweight championship. Her performance in PFL Europe granted her the opportunity to compete on the global stage, which started on a strong note in April with a first-round TKO of Lisa Mauldin.

 

A former WBC and WMC Muay Thai champion, Chelsea Hackett made a full transition to MMA in 2019, having won four of her first seven fights thus far. After being unable to compete in the 2023 PFL Challenger Series, Hackett had a successful PFL debut during the playoffs with a win over Ky Bennett in a Showcase bout. Hackett lost via first-round submission to Jena Bishop in April.

 

Ditcheva clinches a playoff spot with any win; meanwhile, Hackett needs a first-round finish to stay alive in the playoff picture.

 

 

Round 1

 

Kicks from both women to start. Low kick from Ditcheva. Combination by Ditcheva ends with a straight right that drops Hackett! Hackett scrambles to recover and ends up pressured and pressed against the fence. Hackett gets underhooks in. Ditcheva tries to work, but Hackett reverses and gets Ditcheva’s back to the fence. Hackett gets a hook in and traps a wrist. Hackett looks to bring this fight to the ground, but Ditcheva maintains hand control.

 

 

Ditcheva gets herself off the fence and lands a knee. Right hand by Ditcheva. Push kick by Ditcheva. Left hand by Ditcheva. Ditcheva pushes Hackett to the fence. Ditcheva landing some brutal knees. A brutal combination by Ditcheva, and Hackett is slumped! A couple of more shots and that’s it!

 

 

Dakota Ditcheva will be the top seed in the women’s flyweight playoffs!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Dakota Ditcheva defeats Chelsea Hackett by 1st round TKO (3:22) in the PFL Women’s Flyweight Division.

  • Ditcheva clinches the #1 seed and will face Jena Bishop in the PFL Playoffs
  • Ditcheva remains undefeated at 12-0 and gets her 10th career knockout

 

2024 PFL Women’s Flyweight Semifinals

#1 Dakota Ditcheva vs. #4 Jena Bishop

#2 Taila Santos vs. #3 Liz Carmouche