Dakota Ditcheva uses Muay Thai experience, kicks and knees to earn first-round finish in first fight since PFL Europe title win

Perhaps one of the most highly anticipated new combatants to the global PFL scene is Dakota Ditcheva, the undefeated 2023 PFL Europe women’s flyweight champion. Ditcheva was a three-time Junior Amateur World Champion in Muay Thai before transitioning to MMA full time in 2019. After a 5-0 start to her career, Ditcheva appeared in two showcase bouts for PFL during 2022, scoring first-round TKOs of Hassna Gaber and Katherine Corogenes. Ditcheva then went on to claim inaugural PFL Europe gold with a first-round submission of Malin Hermansson, a third-round knockout of Cornelia Holm and a first-round doctor’s stoppage win against Valentina Scatizzi.

Lisa Mauldin is a kickboxing specialist, getting her start in combat sports at a young age through karate before falling in love with Muay Thai, as well as training jiu-jitsu. Mauldin, who feels her speed is her strength in the SmartCage, competed in the 2023 PFL Challenger Series, scoring a third-round TKO of Helen Peralta. Though she didn’t win the PFL contract that night, she did go on to defeat the woman who did – Desiree Yanez – with a first-round submission in a showcase bout in August.

With these two moving on to the global stage and the PFL’s regular-season format, who will score an all-important first victory in the PFL?

Round 1

Mauldin moving around the outside. Ditcheva lands a low kick. Mauldin with a push kick. Left hand from Ditcheva, followed by a small combination that ends with a missed front kick. Left hand from Ditcheva again. Low kick by Ditcheva. Combination by Ditcheva backs Mauldin into the fence. Ditcheva with a low kick. Ditcheva scored a takedown and looked for a submission, but Mauldin quickly scrambled back to her feet, her back pressed against the PFL SmartCage. Ditcheva goes for a trip, but Mauldin counters and gets the upper hand on the ground. Ditcheva quickly scrambles back to her feet.

Dakota Ditcheva with a beautiful combo!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 5, 2024

Mauldin sports a nasty gash on the area she was leg kicked on. Right hand from Ditcheva coming in. Combination to the body by Ditcheva. Ditcheva lands a big knee, and Mauldin is hurt! Mauldin covers up as Ditcheva rains down blows. Ditcheva lands another knee and fires off some ground-and-pound! Ditcheva waits for Mauldin to return to her feet. Then, she fired off a front kick to the body that dropped Mauldin. A few shots later, this one was done!

DAKOTA DITCHEVA GETS THE 6 POINT FINISH!!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 5, 2024

Dakota Ditcheva’s potential path from PFL Europe gold to PFL global gold starts off strong, earning six points and a first-place position in the women’s flyweight standings!

OFFICIAL RESULT

“Dangerous” Dakota Ditcheva defeats Lisa Mauldin by 1st round TKO (3:54), earning 6 points in the PFL Women’s Flyweight Division.