The Professional Fighter's League has a new star in Dakota Ditcheva. She is the 2023 PFL European champion and the new 2024 Global champion. Due to her quick rise in stardom, many fans have been comparing her to former UFC champion Ronda Rousey.
While that's a big compliment for any fighter, former UFC fighter turned PFL commentator Dan Hardy thinks she has something that Rousey never had.
"Ronda was a pioneer in martial arts, women’s martial arts in particular, but the reason why she was so effective is because she was particularly overwhelming in one range, right?" Hardy told Bloody Elbow. “Like, she came in, she grabbed a hold of somebody, threw them to the floor, and wrenched their arm off."
“Whereas Dakota, over the last two years, has also shown that she’s a fully well-rounded MMA fighter," he continued. “I think that’s another thing that gives people a lot of confidence that she could compete with anyone in the world. You know, she can grapple and stay safe if she hits the floor with a world-class jiu-jitsu player."
Rousey went undefeated until getting knocked out by Holly Holm in 2015. Of Rousey's 12 wins, nine came by way of armbar submission. Ditcheva has a mix of TKO, KO and submissions on her undefeated record, thought she has more striking wins than submissions.
“And her takedown defense coupled with those Muay Thai knees could put anybody away. And she’s also got the frame that’s perfect for this weight class. I could make the argument right now that she could beat anybody in this weight class on the planet," he said.
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