The PFL has announced its 2025 World Tournament women’s flyweight roster, with a number of returning names.
The flyweight division took center stage in the PFL for the first time last year, with Dakota Ditcheva, a PFL Europe champ, running the gauntlet and blossoming as the new face of the promotion. Ditcheva will not be back in the tournament this year, saved for bigger cards alongside the likes of Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg. Returning, however, are the likes of Liz Carmouche, Kana Watanabe, Juliana Velasquez, Jena Bishop, Ilara Joanne and Taila Santos.
Joining the tournament for 2025 are Bellator vet Diana Avsaragova and Elora Dana. The undefeated Dana (7-0) might be little known to western fight fans, but won the Jungle Fight flyweight title in her native Brazil. As for Avsaragova (6-1), something of an “It” girl for Bellator, she sat out all of 2024 after suffering her first defeat as a professional a year earlier.
The involvement of Carmouche (22-8), Velasquez (13-3), and Watanabe (13-3-1) sets up some interesting rematches. All three are former Bellator stars, with Carmouche and Velasquez holding gold there. Carmouche has defeated Velasquez three times, and Watanabe twice. As for Taila Santos, she was runner-up in 2024.
Gone from the roster are Shanna Young (recently seen competing for Invicta FC), Chelsea Hackett, and Lisa Mauldin (though it’s worth noting that alternates have not been announced for the weight class).
As for women’s flyweight champ Dakota Ditcheva, she assured fans she wasn’t going anywhere on Tuesday, writing “I’m still here guys, dw [don’t worry]” in response to the announcement. PFL officials have also confirmed to Cageside Press that Ditcheva remains with the organization, and will compete outside the season.
