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FIGHT ODDS

Top 5 Moments of the 2024 PFL Regular Season

Mike PendletonJul 18, 2024


The Professional Fighters League regular season has ended for the promotion’s global roster in 2024, and there were plenty of memorable moments across the six divisions that were involved. Previous champions like Impa Kasanganay and Brendan Loughnane, PFL first-timers like Liz Carmouche and Michael Dufort and young newcomers like Dakota Ditcheva all made statements.

Those five competitors gave the PFL and the mixed martial arts universe their share of memorable moments to look back on, and they head into the 2024 PFL playoffs in a matter of weeks. To that end, here are the Top 5 moments of the 2024 PFL regular season, in no particular order:



A Cut Above


A nasty knee strike from Loughnane in the PFL 6 main event opposite Justin Gonzales on June 28 not only opened one of the worst cuts of the year but moved the Englishman back into familiar territory in the PFL postseason. Loughnane did not see the third round in his two regular-season bouts and enters the playoffs having made a major statement. He has only lost to eventual champions during his PFL run, and he has designs on reclaiming the throne he once held. Loughnane’s last four wins have all resulted in finishes. He faces Kai Kamaka III in the featherweight semifinals at PFL 9 on Aug. 23.



Last Man Standing


Looking to repeat his success from 2023, Kasanganay kicked off his campaign as defending PFL light heavyweight champion with a first-round finish of Alex Polizzi. Using lessons learned from his “PFL vs. Bellator Champs” encounter with reigning Bellator MMA middleweight titleholder Johnny Eblen, Kasanganay made it a point to emphasize dominance. That focus was put on display in his second regular-season bout with PFL Europe champion Jakob Nedoh. After facing adversity early in the fight, Kasanganay poured it on late in the second period and prompted an emphatic finish in-between rounds. As he looks to clinch the PFL light heavyweight title in back-to-back years, Kasanganay stares at a PFL 8 rematch against Joshua Silveira—the man he beat to win the 2023 championship—on Aug. 16.



The Arrival


As the PFL continues to grow, so too does its homegrown stars, and none have shined brighter than Ditcheva. After a successful championship run through PFL Europe in 2023, Ditcheva exploded onto the big stage in a major way. Her first season on the global roster paid dividends for the promotion and the fighter. If the PFL wants to provide future hopefuls with an example of someone making the most of the opportunities provided by the company, Ditcheva serves as Exhibit A. Ditcheva ran through her regular-season competition, stopping both Lisa Mauldin and Chelsea Hackett inside of four minutes. She has now become a staple of the PFL, and as she works towards the $1 million prize and women’s flyweight title, she has shown what can be accomplished in a short period of time. Soon to turn 26 years old, Ditcheva meets Jena Bishop in the 125-pound semifinals on Aug. 2.



Last-Second Heroics


Coming into her first PFL season, the reigning Bellator women’s flyweight champion was looking to add to her legacy. That championship legacy featured another great chapter, as she needed a finish in her second regular-season match and managed to grab a submission against Kana Watanabe with eight seconds left on the clock at PFL 4. Working to get accustomed to the PFL format while chasing her second world title, Carmouche narrowly clinched a playoff berth but now has the opportunity to make the most of it. An advocate for female fighters getting more money and opportunities, winning the women’s flyweight season would not only clinch that second belt but a $1 million grand prize that provides security and comfort. It also would be a testament to all that Carmouche has worked for throughout her entire legendary career. She confronts Taila Santos in the women’s flyweight semifinals at PFL 7 on Aug. 2.



No Victory Lap Needed


Part of what makes the PFL so unique and special is its points system. It certainly helps to be ahead in the standings, but Dufort turned a negative into a positive after his second regular-season bout. Having won his PFL debut by second-round submission, Dufort had the circumstances in his favor to clinch a playoff berth. Unfortunately for him, he was on the losing side of a split decision to Adam Piccolotti and left in wait-and-see limbo as a result. The rest of the regular-season matchups broke his way and sent him to the playoffs. Dufort now has a chance at the PFL lightweight glory and the $1 million grand prize at 155 pounds. Moments like Dufort cannot be duplicated in any other organization as currently constituted. He tackles Gadzhi Rabadanov in the lightweight semifinals at PFL 8 on Aug. 16.