Midnight Mania: The Best Event Nobody Watched

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

The Professional Fighter’s League (PFL) is a frustrating promotion to follow.

In recent months, all the conversation is about how badly the company is botching their Bellator takeover. What’s the point of dropping serious dough on a rival company if you cannot use its assets? Multiple Bellator champions — athletes who are trying to stake their claim as best in the world and thus legitimize PFL in the process — are outraged at being indefinitely sidelined, unable to make a living or pursue their dreams.

the card was a massive success. Fight fans who tuned in were treated to some incredible action. Most of the fights ended before the bell, particularly on the main card, which saw five finishes in six bouts. The champions earned their paychecks in definitive fashion, and several really did appear to be absolutely elite talents capable of challenging any in their class.

In particular, Dakota Ditcheva should walk away from this event as the face of PFL. The 26-year-old Muay Thai fighter has been nothing short of spectacular inside the smart cage, and she faced a serious jump in competition opposite former UFC title challenger Taila Santos. Despite Santos’ experience edge and expected grappling advantage, Ditcheva marched her opponent down and beat her into a pulp (watch here).

It was awesome. Ditcheva’s striking is a joy to watch, and she’s able to punish her opponents like few in women’s MMA. Now 14-0 with 12 wins via KO, Ditcheva very well might be able to topple Valentina Shevchenko tomorrow if given the opportunity. She’s certainly a world-class and marketable talent, exactly what PFL needs to stop hemorrhaging money.

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— Alex “Poatan” Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC) November 29, 2024