Dakota Ditcheva has made historical past by turning into the primary British lady to win a world combined martial arts title.
The 26-year-old Muay Thai fighter defeated former UFC title contender Taila Santos in Riyadh to win the Skilled Fighters League (PFL) flyweight title and transfer to 14-0 in his profession.
Dicheva ended the second spherical with a flurry of physique photographs for her thirteenth win in opposition to a world-class star in Santos, with the Brazilian struggling her fourth skilled defeat in 26 fights The loss was additionally her first loss exterior of the UFC.
Dicheva is now the PFL world flyweight champion (Picture: PFL)
Santos tried to make use of her grappling expertise to decelerate the Serre-born star, however Dicheva proved too aggressive, touchdown knees and kicks earlier than elbows and physique photographs – Very a lot residing as much as her “harmful” nickname – although Britt was choosing her photographs, she had folded her opponent when play was stopped.
Dicheva admitted afterwards that she felt some satisfaction in defeating Santos, who made disparaging remarks earlier than the struggle.
“She’s a powerful woman, however I do know what I am able to,” Dicheva stated. “She stored saying ‘She’s only a Barbie, she needs to be a mannequin’.
“Properly, a mannequin simply beat you within the second spherical, so shut up.”
Dicheva maintained her unbeaten report with this victory (Picture: PFL)
Dicheva obtained $1 million (£785,361) for the victory and believes she beat the very best opposition within the PFL.
“I preserve telling you, I preserve attempting to inform you, I simply preserve proving them unsuitable,” Dicheva added.
“The world is mine. I simply beat the very best woman on the planet. Me and the PFL are going to ship one thing superb once more.”
That is not excellent news for fellow Briton Brendan Loughnan, who returns to the principle occasion following his win at Dicheva.
Ravnunn misplaced a unanimous choice to Russian Timur Khizriev in his try to win the PFL featherweight world title for a second time.
