Dakota Ditcheva’s rise in the Professional Fighters League has been rapid, and now she has new opponents to test her growing dominance. The PFL has signed two former UFC flyweights — Viviane Araujo and Ariane “Queen of Violence” Lipski da Silva — adding depth to a division Ditcheva has spearheaded since its creation in 2024.
The British knockout artist cemented herself as the face of the weight class last year by dismantling Taila Santos in the season final, proving she is more than hype. While many speculated Ditcheva could soon chase challenges in the UFC, she instead committed her future to the PFL with a new deal, a decision that initially raised questions about the strength of opposition available to her.
The arrivals of Araujo and Lipski da Silva appear to be an answer. Araujo (13-7), a former top-10 contender in the UFC, boasts victories over Karine Silva, Jennifer Maia, and Roxanne Modafferi from her six-year run. Lipski da Silva (17-11), a former KSW champion, earned her “Queen of Violence” nickname with brutal submissions, including a notorious kneebar finish of Luana Carolina in 2019. Though she struggled for consistency in the Octagon, she remains a dangerous opponent and previously submitted Casey O’Neill with an armbar in 2023.
For Ditcheva, who has already claimed titles in both PFL Europe and PFL Global, the PFL’s streamlined format with divisional championships offers clear stakes — and now tougher challengers.
The news comes ahead of PFL Champions Series 3 in Dubai this Friday, headlined by a lightweight title rematch between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes. The card will also feature Corey Anderson, Sergio Pettis, and Caolan Loughran, but all eyes in the flyweight division will be on what Ditcheva’s next step looks like in the wake of fresh competition.
