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Dan Hardy Backs Undefeated PFL Star Dakota Ditcheva Over Valentina Shevchenko in Hypothetical Clash

Hardy argues Ditcheva’s size, power, aggression plus ATT pedigree could trouble Shevchenko’s measured style.

Dakota Ditcheva speaks during a PFL post-fight interview, opposite Valentina Shevchenko in the cage for her fight at UFC 315. Credit: Cooper Neill/Getty Images/Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Overview

  • The former UFC title challenger said he would "put [his] money on" Ditcheva to beat the UFC flyweight champion if they fought now, in remarks given to MMA Fighting.
  • No fight has been announced between the PFL standout and the UFC champion, making the matchup a speculative cross-promotion scenario.
  • Ditcheva is 15-0 since joining PFL in 2022 with PFL Europe and PFL World tournament titles and a résumé reported to feature numerous stoppages.
  • Hardy pointed to Ditcheva’s height, reach, power, forward pressure and American Top Team training as factors to blunt Shevchenko’s takedowns and steady pace.
  • Shevchenko is credited with nine successful UFC title defenses, and BJPenn reports she is preparing to face Zhang Weili at UFC 322 later this year.