Kayla Harrison Lauds Breakout PFL Star As The 'Future' Of MMA: 'I Think The Sky Is The Limit For Her!'

The rise to prominence of Dakota Ditcheva since her addition to the PFL roster has been nothing short of meteoric.

"Dangerous" has won all seven of her fights in the promotion and has finished each of those bouts inside the distance, with six being knockouts within the opening round. Her overall record sits at 12-0, and the former Muay Thai world champion has never lost a mixed martial arts bout at either amateur or professional level.

The UK-based flyweight dispatched of Malin Hermansson and Cornelia Holm during the 2023 PFL Europe tournament to reach the finals, where she demolished Valentina Scatizzi last December in Dublin, Ireland, to get her hands on a championship belt and a check for $100,000.

This year, Ditcheva has entered the PFL’s global tournament — the winner of which will walk away with a cool $1 million — and has dispatched of both Lisa Mauldin and Chelsea Hackett to qualify for the playoffs, where Jena Bishop lies waiting.

With Taila Santos and Liz Carmouche both also in the bracket, the level of competition Ditcheva is facing is gradually becoming more challenging, and the rewards are becoming more enticing.

Harrison Predicts Big Things For Ditcheva

Speaking to MMA Fighting immediately before the UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this week, two-time PFL champion and current UFC bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison gave her thoughts on Ditcheva’s potential.

“She’s a killer. She’s a killer. She’s the future of MMA, and I think that she’s only getting better,” said Harrison, who made her UFC debut earlier this year when she submitted Holly Holm at UFC 300 . “She’s young, she’s hungry, she’s disciplined, she’s motivated, she’s got a good head on her shoulders, she’s got a great team around her. I think that the sky is the limit for her.”

Harrison, a two-time Judo Olympic gold medalist, fought in the PFL between 2018 and 2023, twice winning the $1 million grand prize for capturing the women’s lightweight championship.

• Read More: John McCarthy: PFL Trying To Give Dakota Ditcheva 'Easiest Path They Can'