2025 could be shaping up to be a groundbreaking year for women’s MMA, with several rising stars poised to make significant impacts in their respective divisions. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most promising female fighters to watch in 2025.
Dakota Ditcheva: PFL’s Flyweight Sensation
Dakota Ditcheva, the 26-year-old phenom has made waves in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). In November, Ditcheva became the first British woman to win a major MMA world title by claiming the PFL Flyweight Championship. With an impressive undefeated record of 14-0, Ditcheva is quickly becoming one of the most exciting prospects in women’s MMA.
Who knows what 2025 has in store for Ditcheva; whatever it is, she’s definitely playing her part in putting women’s MMA in the UK on the map.
Kennedy Freeman: UFC’s Newest Bantamweight Contender
ICYMI Kennedy Freeman signed with the UFC back in December after an impressive run in Cage Warriors. The 28-year-old fighter boasts a perfect 6-0 record, with three of those victories coming by knockout. Freeman has the potential to shake up the UFC’s Bantamweight division.
With her lineage and exciting style, there’s absolutely no doubt that she can shine a light on women’s MMA on this side of the Atlantic.
Rising Stars to Watch
While Ditcheva and Freeman are already making headlines, (rightly so!) here are several other women who I think are poised for incredible years in 2025:
Lisa “Shellshock” Zimmo
Fighting out of Great Britain Top Team, Lisa Zimmo is a promising strawweight with an incredibly strong grappling background, having been IMMAF Featherweight Champ in 2023. 2025 could be an interesting year for ShellShock, watch this space.
Danni “MAC” McCormack
Hailing from the Emerald Isle, Danni McCormack certainly has big, BIG dreams. She competed on Road to UFC Season 3 and put on a great performance there, after an impressive, belt winning run in Invicta. 2024 wasn’t a busy year for McCormack, we know she’s keen to get back in the cage and she’s even more ready to get a call from UFC.
Kate “Queen Of The South” Bacik
Also coming out of Great Britain Top Team, the Queen of the South Kate Bacik is an explosive striker, who is the current Bantamweight champion in Pallas Athena Women’s Fighting Championship. Her speed and aggression makes her an awkward match up for any opponent. I think she’s only going to continue to make her mark in 2025.
Eimear “Driven” Darcy
Eimear “Driven” Darcy has got knockout power, and the ground and pound displayed in her last Cage Warriors outing suggests the featherweight division better be ready for her quick hands, and unrelenting style.
Mim Grubb
There’s one last woman in the British amateur scene I’m keeping an eye on and that’s Mim Grubb. She makes her professional debut in March, but if her amateur career is anything to go by she’s going to be problematic for her opponents. Whilst her stand up game is relentless, she’s equally impressive on the ground. Cage Warriors strawweight division might just have a new star.
The Changing Landscape of Women’s MMA
Now whether you keep up to date with these women, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for women’s MMA, with a new generation of fighters ready to make their mark on the sport. From Dakota Ditcheva’s dominance in the PFL to Kennedy Freeman’s UFC debut, and the rise of numerous other talented athletes, fans can expect thrilling matchups and potential changing of the guard in multiple weight classes.
As these fighters continue to evolve and showcase their skills, they not only elevate the level of competition but also inspire the next generation of female martial artists. The future of women’s MMA looks brighter than ever, the landscape is changing and 2025 could be the year that cements these rising stars as the new faces of the sport.
