Liz Carmouche believes Dakota Ditcheva is avoiding her, accuses PFL of wanting to ‘protect their future’

Liz Carmouche has voiced frustration over her next opponent and title shot prospects in the PFL, suggesting that 2024 flyweight champion Dakota Ditcheva is avoiding her and that the promotion is prioritizing protecting their investment in the younger fighter.

Carmouche won the 2025 PFL season tournament without Ditcheva in the field, defeating Ilara Joanne, Elora Dana, and Jena Bishop. With the PFL transitioning away from seasonal format in 2026, Carmouche expected a straightforward matchup: the reigning tournament champion against the defending champion. Instead, she faces UFC veteran Viviane Araujo on June 27, while Ditcheva battles Denise Kielholtz a month later.

Speaking to MMA Fighting, Carmouche expressed bewilderment at the booking. "I've been asking the same thing," she said of not fighting for the belt. "I thought coming out of the tournament that the only match-up that made sense was last year's champion versus the year prior champion, but they have a different agenda." When asked directly if Ditcheva is avoiding her, Carmouche replied: "It certainly seems that way."

Carmouche acknowledged the business reality behind the decision. "Of course, they want to protect their future. They invested a lot of money into her, and she's the face of PFL. So you certainly don't want it to give it to somebody who's in their 40s, you want to give it to the young 20-year-old."

Regardless, Carmouche remains confident she would prevail in a matchup with Ditcheva, citing her grappling prowess and ability to wear opponents down in deep water. She views herself as the legitimate uncrowned PFL flyweight champion and expects the fight to happen "sooner or later," barring Ditcheva's departure to the UFC. For now, Carmouche focuses on her June matchup against Araujo, an exciting opponent "that throws down and continues coming forward no matter what."