PFL Unveils Star-Studded 2025 Women’s Flyweight Tournament Roster, Dakota Ditcheva Notably Absent

The PFL has officially announced the roster for its highly anticipated 2025 women’s flyweight tournament, featuring a mix of former champions and rising stars. However, the absence of reigning champion Dakota Ditcheva has raised eyebrows in the MMA community.

On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, the PFL revealed the eight fighters who will compete for the $500,000 prize and the prestigious title of tournament champion. The lineup boasts an impressive array of talent, including former Bellator champions and UFC contenders, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying competition.

𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗕𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗘☝️👑

Which PFL Women’s Flyweight(125lb ) are you riding with to win it all in the 2⃣0⃣2⃣5⃣PFL World Tournament

8⃣Fighters. 8⃣Divisions. Single Elimination Tournament

[ #PFLWorldTournament | Friday , April 11th | 📺 11:30 PM EST | ESPN 2… pic.twitter.com/IOPbnSaDqg

— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 18, 2025

Tournament Roster: A Blend of Experience and Potential

The 2025 PFL women’s flyweight tournament will showcase a diverse group of fighters, each bringing their unique skills and backgrounds to the cage. The roster includes:

1. Liz Carmouche (22-8): Former Bellator women’s flyweight champion
2. Juliana Velasquez (13-3): Former Bellator women’s flyweight champion
3. Taila Santos (22-4): Former UFC title challenger
4. Kana Watanabe (13-3-1): Bellator veteran
5. Ilara Joanne (12-9): Bellator veteran
6. Jena Bishop (7-2): Bellator veteran
7. Diana Avsaragova (6-1): Bellator veteran
8. Elora Dana (7-0): Newly signed Jungle Fight champion

This roster represents a significant coup for the PFL, as it brings together a wealth of experience from various promotions. The inclusion of former Bellator champions Carmouche and Velasquez, along with UFC title challenger Santos, adds considerable star power to the tournament.

The tournament will follow a single-elimination format, with the ultimate victor claiming the grand prize. Fight fans can mark their calendars for April 11, when the action kicks off at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The event will be broadcast on MAX, ensuring wide accessibility for viewers.

Dakota Ditcheva’s Surprising Omission and Future Plans

The most notable absence from the tournament roster is Dakota Ditcheva, the undefeated 26-year-old phenom who has taken the MMA world by storm. Ditcheva’s exclusion comes as a surprise, given her recent accomplishments and growing popularity in the sport.

Ditcheva’s impressive resume includes winning the PFL Europe Championship in 2023 and claiming the PFL Global Season championship in 2024. Her stellar performances, which saw her defeat Lisa Mauldin, Chelsea Hackett, Jena Bishop, and Taila Santos, earned her MMA Junkie’s 2024 Female Fighter of the Year award.

BODY SHOT FINISH! DAKOTA DITCHEVA IS THE 2024 PFL WOMENS FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION! #ANDNOW#PFLWorldChampionship
LIVE NOW ON ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/cU8qbGIiSe

— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 29, 2024

Despite her absence from the tournament, Ditcheva’s future in the PFL remains bright. PFL co-founder Donn Davis took to social media to address the situation, announcing that Ditcheva will compete in the PFL Champions Series in 2025. Davis tweeted, “PFL Superstar Dakota Ditcheva won PFL Europe Championship 2023 then won PFL Global Season 2024 … now moves to PFL Champions Series 2025”.

This move to the Champions Series suggests that the PFL has big plans for Ditcheva, potentially setting her up for high-profile matchups outside the traditional tournament structure. It’s a testament to her star power and the promotion’s faith in her ability to draw audiences.

As the MMA world eagerly anticipates the start of the 2025 PFL women’s flyweight tournament, questions remain about the specific quarterfinal matchups, which have yet to be revealed. The combination of established veterans and hungry newcomers promises to deliver thrilling fights and potentially career-defining moments for the participants.

With the tournament set to begin in less than two months, fans and analysts alike will be closely watching as these eight talented fighters prepare to battle for supremacy in the PFL cage. Meanwhile, all eyes will also be on Dakota Ditcheva as she embarks on her journey in the PFL Champions Series, potentially setting the stage for even bigger challenges in her already impressive career.