Taila Santos believes Dakota Ditcheva was given a a lot simpler path to the PFL Playoffs.
Each Santos, who as soon as gave Valentina Shevchenko a run for her cash contained in the Octagon, and Ditcheva are one win away from advancing to the PFL flyweight last. Santos has gone 2-0 since making her Good Cage debut earlier this yr, defeating Ilara Joanne and Jena Bishop throughout the common season.
However regardless of her personal success, the one-time UFC title challenger believes Ditcheva was handed extra favorable matchups to safe her spot within the last 4.
“The fights they had been giving her at first, it’s fairly clear they had been giving her a simple run so she might make it to the finals,” Santos informed MMA Combating. “That’s why I stated I wish to present her what an actual struggle is all about, a tricky struggle. I fought robust fights for the reason that starting and I don’t care. That’s precisely what I would like. I wish to robust fights to indicate I’m one of the best.”
Ditcheva scored the No. 1 seed within the playoffs with wins over Lisa Mauldin, a 6-5 fighter from California, and Chelsea Hackett, a 4-3-1 Aussie who made an look on Dana White’s Contender Collection in 2020. Ditcheva earned her approach into this yr’s common season after successful the PFL Europe Championship in 2023, operating by way of three opponents with a mixed file of 13-10.
In the meantime, Santos has greater than confirmed herself by going 5 rounds with former UFC flyweight titleholder Valentina Shevchenko and incomes wins over the likes of Joanne Wooden, Roxanne Modafferi, Molly McCann, and Gillian Robertson.
Although she’s under no circumstances trying previous her subsequent opponent, Santos can’t assist however salivate over the thought of assembly Ditcheva within the match last.
“It’s going to be actually to have each of us attending to this last and combating one another,” Santos stated. “I simply wish to be within the last and face whoever, however it will be fairly fascinating to struggle her. I would like to struggle Dakota as a result of followers would love this one. Individuals are speaking about this struggle, and I wish to present her what an actual struggle is like. It might be thrilling. I’m very excited to face her, actually.”
Taila Santos must undergo girls’s MMA legend liz Carmouche if she desires to satisfy Ditcheva within the flyweight last
However to get there, Taila Santos must get previous two-time UFC title challenger and present Bellator flyweight girls’s champion, Liz Carmouche.
“It’s an unbelievable struggle. All respect to her, an unbelievable athlete as properly, a veteran, and it’s an honor for me to struggle her,” Santos stated. “I’m very versatile as a fighter, though I grew up coaching Muay Thai earlier than coaching jiu-jitsu and wrestling and every part else. I really feel tremendous snug in all areas at present. I prefer it rather a lot, and I do know she tries to grapple extra, to again her opponents towards the cage and impose her recreation. It’s going to be a really fascinating recreation.”
As for the way she sees issues taking part in out in Ditcheva’s semi-final scrap with Jena Bishop, Santos isn’t completely satisfied that the Manchester native will get the job performed.
“I feel it’s going to be shut,” Santos stated. “It gained’t be a simple struggle for both of them. If Jena can shut the gap and take her down rapidly and never give Dakota area on the toes — Dakota is aware of her to make use of her attain and he or she’s highly effective. Jena stunned me, she’s actually sturdy and I wasn’t anticipating that. She’s very skilled, so she will be able to win this if she will be able to shut the gap.”
“I got here right here to win this belt,” Santos added. “I’m able to go to the ultimate and win, regardless of who I’m combating there. I’m right here to struggle one of the best.”
