MMA divisional rankings: PFL's Dakota Ditcheva knocks down the door at women's flyweight

Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff WriterDec 3, 2024, 08:02 AM ET
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- MMA columnist for ESPN.com
- Analyst for “MMA Live”
- Covered MMA for Las Vegas Sun

Dakota Ditcheva was undefeated and already considered a women’s flyweight prospect going into last Friday’s PFL season finale. Then she went out and elevated her status — to champion.

Beyond capturing one of six $1 million weight class championships to close out the 2024 season, Ditcheva also made a huge impression by knocking out onetime UFC title challenger Taila Santos. It was by far the biggest win of Ditcheva’s career, and it earned her a spot in the latest ESPN divisional rankings — high up, in fact.

Ditcheva (14-0), a 25-year-old from Manchester, England, has fought nine times in the PFL, but this was her first time participating in a season. Friday’s victory, her 13th stoppage in 14 fights, made Ditcheva both the youngest champion in PFL history and the first British woman to win a world championship in any major MMA promotion.

The addition of Ditcheva is the only change to the rankings.

Here are the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings and a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes.

Results are current; rankings as of Dec. 3. To be eligible for the rankings, a fighter must have competed over the past 12 months or must have an upcoming fight booked. Fighters who have been dropped for inactivity can be reinstated only after they compete.