Dakota Ditcheva profiled herself as the new face of PFL in 2024.
2024 PFL women's flyweight champion Dakota Ditcheva started the calendar year with a target on her back, and she responded by putting together one of the most dominant runs for a blossoming prospect in recent MMA history.
Ditcheva capped her remarkable 2024 PFL season with a title win over former UFC title challenger Taila Santos at last month's championships. She won four fights in 2024, with only one fight reaching the first round (vs. Santos).
Ditcheva's dominance at such a young age (26) is rarely seen in modern women's MMA. Her 2024 drew comparisons to legends like Amanda Nunes, Ronda Rousey and Kayla Harrison, who dismantled most of their competition.
But Ditcheva wasn't the only breakout star candidate our team had to consider.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Dakota Ditcheva and Joaquin Buckley headlined the 'Breakout Star' debate
UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley entered 2024 as an unranked, relatively unknown figure on the roster. After an up-and-down run at middleweight, Buckley made the full-time move to welterweight last year and saw his stock rise in 2024.
Buckley won his third straight fight by finishing the always dangerous Vicente Luque at UFC Atlantic City via TKO in the second round. He followed it up with a co-main event victory over the colossus Nursulton Ruziboev and scored back-to-back victories over Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington.
Buckley's one-punch knockout of Thompson was also in the mix for Knockout of the Year after UFC 307. It cemented him as a dark horse contender for the UFC welterweight title.
Ditcheva, Buckley and others livened up the “Breakout Star” discussion.
Dakota Ditcheva and Joaquin Buckley are Bloody Elbow's 2024 'Breakout Stars of the Year'
Here's how the Bloody Elbow team voted and analyzed the 2024 Breakout Star of the Year debate.
Jordan Ellis: “Dakota Ditcheva is the breakout star of 2024. The flyweight KO artist made it look easy as she swept the PFL 125-pound tournament and won $1 million. Taila Santos is top level and she looked like she didn't belong in the cage with Ditcheva when they met in the PFL final.
Jordan's pick: Dakota Ditcheva
Donagh Corby: “PFL's next big thing appears to be flyweight queen Dakota Ditcheva. The Brit continues to move through the levels with ease, taking out Chelsea Hackett and Jena Bishop on his way to a final showdown with Taila Santos. The Brazilian is arguably entitled to the UFC title after a very close split-decision loss to Valentina Shevchenko that many believe she won, and Ditcheva quickly got the better of her in two rounds.
Donagh's pick: Dakota Ditcheva
James Sweetnam: “The featherweight division is packed with talent, and Diego Lopes has proven he is one of the best. In 2024, the 29-year-old has looked nothing short of sensational, putting together a string of three stellar performances, most recently beating Brian Ortega in a performance that earned him a seat at the top table alongside the very best 145 -pounders. in sports. And while this year has been truly fantastic, he has fans positively salivating at the prospect of what he will achieve in 2025.”
James's pick: Diego Lopes
Jamie Theodosi: “Carlos Prates. This one for me was a trade-off between Payton Talbott and Carlos Prates. In the end I was able to beat the Brazilian because of the strength of his opponent so far.”
Jamie's Choice: Carlos Prates
Curtis Calhoun: “After showing promise at middleweight, Joaquin Buckley decided to make the full-time move to welterweight, and has quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous contenders in the division.
“Buckley earned finishes of Stephen Thompson, Colby Covington and Vicente Luque in 2024. Despite a poorly received call-up after UFC St. Louis, Buckley's rise to the welterweight title is one of the most surprising in recent UFC history.
“As 2025 approaches, Buckley is knocking on the door of title contention. He has the makings of a potential superstar with a fan-friendly style and ruthlessness in the Octagon.”
Curtis' pick: Joaquin Buckley
Tom Llewellyn: “When Joaquin Buckley walked into Boardwalk Hall for his first of four fights in 2024, he wasn't even in the welterweight division – not. Even. Ranked.
“As we wrap up another fantastic year of UFC action, 'New Mansa' is sitting pretty at #6 with finishes above several UFC legends, a former interim champion and a talented future contender.
“This is 'Breakout of the Year,' and no one has cracked the Top 15 or even gotten into title conversation like Joaquin Buckley.”
Tom's Pick: Joaquin Buckley
Related posts
Comments