PFL 2024 Season: Women's Flyweight Spotlight
The PFL's 2024 Regular Season kicks off this weekend in San Antonio, Texas. The event showcases the Women's Flyweight and Heavyweight divisions as they compete to determine who will compete in the PFL Quarter Finals later in the year.
Today, we'll cover all the Women's Flyweights (125 lbs) competing in the PFLs 2024 regular season, highlighting their resumes, skillsets, and matchups this weekend.
Chelsea "Hammer" Hackett
Record: 4-1-1 (1-0 PFL)
Height: 5ft 5in
Reach: 66in
Nationality: Australian
Fighting out of: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Opponent: Jena Bishop
Chelsea Hackett made her professional debut on May 25th, 2019, which ended in a questionable majority draw, and has since compiled a record of 4-1-1. Hackett has a Muay Thai background and frequently utilizes fast movement and low kicks in her fights.
After going 3-0-1 in her professional career, she was invited to fight on Dana White's Contender Series to compete for a UFC contract. However, she came up short against Victoria Leonardo and subsequently took a three-year break from MMA.
The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.
— Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) April 5, 2023
He's lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.#UFC287 pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v
In her return bout on August 4th, 2023, "Hammer" fought Ky Bennett in her PFL debut. She dominated the entire fight, handing Bennett her first loss via stoppage. Now, she'll be trying to steal the undefeated record from Jena Bishop.
Jena Bishop
Record: 6-0 (2-0 Bellator)
Height: 5ft 4in
Reach: 66.5in
Nationality: American
Fighting out of: San Diego, California, USA
Opponent: Chelsea Hackett
Jena Bishop has an extensive background in Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, having already competed in many grappling matches under the ADCC and IBJJF banners. She made her professional MMA debut on October 22nd, 2021, and since then, has secured three finishes and won all six fights. She also wins a decision over Luana Santos, who is 2-0 in the UFC.
The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.
— Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) April 5, 2023
He's lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.#UFC287 pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v
Her last fight was on the Bellator 300 show, where she submitted Bellator veteran Iilara Joanne in the first round with an armbar. Now she's part of the PFL roster and will debut against Muay Thai specialist Chelsea Hackett.
Kana Watanabe
Record: 12-2-1 (4-2 in Bellator)
Height: 5ft 6in
Reach: 66in
Nationality: Japanese
Fighting out of: Tokyo, Japan
Opponent: Shanna Young
Kana Watanabe holds a professional record 12-2-1 and made her pro MMA debut on December 2nd, 2017, winning via second-round armbar. She went unbeaten until 2021, suffering a loss to former UFC Champion Liz Carmouche.
Watanabe is a well-rounded fighter with a background in Judo. She has a 58% finish rate, including armbars, chokes, KOs, and TKOs. She's fought in Bellator, DEEP, and RIZIN. She'll be looking to build another winning streak when she takes on Shanna Young.
Shanna "The Shanimal" Young
Record: 9-5 (1-0 in PFL)
Height: 5ft 7in
Reach: 66.5in
Nationality: American
Fighting out of: Las Vegas, Nevada
Opponent: Kana Watanabe
Shanna Young has competed in numerous promotions since her debut on April 11th, 2015. "The Shanimal" has fought in Invicta, the UFC, and the PFL en route to her start in the regular season, amassing a 9-5 record.
After losing a unanimous decision to Miranda Maverick, she was released from the UFC but quickly returned to fight Sandra Lavado in the PFL Challenger Series. Young won via unanimous decision, and now after a year layoff, she'll fight against Kana Watanabe in the first round of the PFL playoffs.
Taila Santos
Record: 19-3 (4-3 in UFC)
Height: 5ft 6in
Reach: 68in
Nationality: Brazillian
Fighting out of: Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Opponent: Ilara Joanne
Taila Santos is one of the world's most elite Women's Flyweight fighters. After leaving the UFC, she's joining the PFL Regular Season.
Santos made her pro debut on November 23rd, 2013, and is also the most experienced fighter on the card. Her last match was a competitive decision loss to Erin Blanchfield, who is fighting for UFC gold in her next bout.
Santos possesses excellent grappling and Muay Thai, which she showcased in her world title fight against Valentina Shevchenko. She now looks to get points on the board in her PFL debut against Iilara Joanne.
Ilara "Ayra Stark" Joanne
Record: 11-8 (3-4 in Bellator)
Height: 5ft 3in
Reach: 64in
Nationality: Brazillian
Fighting out of: Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
Opponent: Taila Santos
Ilara Joanne has been a professional MMA fighter since August 8th, 2013, meaning she's been a professional for over a decade. Across that decade, Joanne has competed under the Bellator banner, fighting familiar faces Kana Watanabe and Jena Bishop.
She's now taking this fight on short notice, replacing Denise Kielholtz, and will make her PFL debut alongside Taila Santos. She'll be looking to snap her two-fight skid by securing a stunning upset over the big favorite Santos.
Dakota "Dangerous" Ditcheva
Record: 10-0 (5-0 PFL)
Height: 5ft 8in
Reach: 70in
Nationality: English
Fighting out of: Sale, Greater Manchester, England
Opponent: Lisa Mauldin
Dakota Ditcheva is among the most experienced girls in fights under the PFL banner. She's competed in the PFL Europe series and has gone 10-0 since her pro-MMA debut on April 10th, 2021. Ditcheva went 3-0 in 2023, with all wins coming inside the distance.
The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.
— Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) April 5, 2023
He's lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.#UFC287 pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v
"Dangerous" is also a former Muay Thai world Champion, and her record clearly shows this, with eight of her ten wins coming via KO/TKO. She'll be looking for another finish on her record against Lisa Mauldin.
Lisa Mauldin
**Record: 6-3 (2-0 in PFL)
Height: 5ft 7in
Reach: 65.25in
Nationality: American
Fighting out of: Irvine, California, USA
Opponent: Dakota Ditcheva
Lisa Mauldin is another striking specialist with a professional record of 6-3. She debuted on April 5th, 2018, and has professional boxing experience with a 1-0 record. Mauldin's last two fights have been with the PFL, and she's finished both by stoppage.
The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.
— Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) April 5, 2023
He's lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.#UFC287 pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v
On top of that, she's also never been finished and was a moderate underdog in both her PFL matchups. Mauldin will try to take Ditcheva's "0" and secure her third straight upset under the PFL.
Liz "Girl-Rilla" Carmouche
Record: 20-7 (7-0 Bellator)
Height: 5ft 6in
Reach: 66in
Nationality: American
Fighting out of: San Diego, California, USA
Opponent: Juliana Velasquez
Liz Carmouche is one of the most established WMMA fighters on earth. She has experience in two of the biggest MMA promotions (UFC and Bellator) and will now transition to the PFL to compete in the regular season.
Carmouche made her professional debut in 2010, making her the most experienced fighter on the regular season women's roster. "Girl-Rilla" was the long-reigning Bellator Champion, with three successful title defenses, and also previously challenged for the UFC Flyweight title.
The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.
— Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) April 5, 2023
He's lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.#UFC287 pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v
Now, Carmouche will face Juliana Velasquez, whom she has already beaten twice in Bellator, to establish herself as the frontrunner for a PFL quarter-finalist.
Juliana Velasquez
Record: 12-2 (7-2 Bellator)
Height: 5ft 6in
Reach: 67.5in
Nationality: Brazillian
Fighting out of: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Opponent: Liz Carmouche
If it hadn't been for Liz Carmouche, Juliana Velasquez would have been perfect in her career. She made her professional MMA debut on December 20th, 2013, and with a background in Judo, she quickly rose to the top of Bellator, going 7-0 in the promotion.
The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.
— Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) April 5, 2023
He's lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.#UFC287 pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v
But in 2022, she suffered back-to-back defeats to Carmouche, and after taking a year off, to re-ignite her career when she faced Carmouche in the trilogy fight.
Who are you most looking forward to out of these fighters? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know in the comments below.
