Jena Bishop won the vacant PFL women's flyweight championship at PFL Chicago, beating Liz Carmouche by unanimous decision (48-47 on all three cards) at WinTrust Arena. Carmouche had knocked Bishop out last year and was a heavy favorite, but Bishop weathered an early storm, took control with takedowns and back control, and attacked a rear-naked choke through much of the fifth round. Dakota Ditcheva entered the cage afterward to face off with Bishop, setting up a flyweight title rematch next year; Ditcheva beat Bishop by TKO in 2024.
Jena Bishop pulled off a significant upset at PFL Chicago, taking the vacant PFL women's flyweight championship with a unanimous decision over Liz Carmouche at WinTrust Arena. All three judges scored the fight 48-47.
Carmouche had stopped Bishop by knockout last year and entered the rematch as a heavy favorite. Bishop survived an early storm, then took over with takedowns and back control. She attacked a rear-naked choke through much of the fifth round, which helped secure the narrow scorecards.
Dakota Ditcheva entered the cage after the result and faced off with Bishop, setting up a flyweight title rematch next year. Ditcheva beat Bishop by TKO in 2024.
The fighters
Bishop, 39, improves to 11-3 with the win. The American's wrestling is the cornerstone of her game: she averages 7.5 takedowns per 15 minutes, and she lands 1.85 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. At five-foot-four with a 66-inch reach, she gave up two inches in height to Carmouche but matched her in reach.
Carmouche, 42, falls to 13-7. The veteran from The Arena is a five-foot-six orthodox fighter who lands 2.78 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy. She also carries a strong takedown game of her own, at 2.57 per 15 minutes, but could not stop Bishop's grappling in this one.
Ditcheva, 27, is unbeaten at 16-0. The English fighter stands five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach, and she lands 1.5 significant strikes per minute at an 84 percent accuracy rate. Her 2024 TKO of Bishop is the only previous meeting between the two.
Why it matters
- Bishop now holds the vacant flyweight belt, flipping the outcome of last year's knockout loss to Carmouche.
- A rematch with Ditcheva is set for next year, with Bishop looking to avenge her 2024 stoppage defeat.
- The matchup pits Bishop's takedown-heavy approach against Ditcheva's reach advantage and striking accuracy.
- Ditcheva's unbeaten record is on the line in a title fight against an opponent who now has a championship win behind her.
