The yearly PFL World Championship event is on Friday, November 29, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event features six world championship bouts, with each contest having a $1 million check for the winner. The PFL Mena World Championship begins at 7:30 a.m. ET, with the Main Card airing on ESPN+ at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Brendan Loughnane faces Timur Khizriev in the Main Event. This contest is for the PFL Lightweight World Championship. Loughnane won the lightweight championship in 2022. Here is my full preview for the 2024 PFL World Championship.
Below are my three best bets for the 2024 PFL World Championship event.
Dakota Ditcheva to Win by KO/TKO/DQ (+100)
The co-main event has rising star Dakota Ditcheva putting her undefeated record on the line against veteran Taila Santos. Ditcheva is 13-0 in her MMA career and is 3-0 with three first-round knockouts in her first PFL season. During the previous two years, Ditcheva competed under the PFL Europe banner while winning the 2023 PFL Europe Flyweight championship last year.
Santos, 31, is a former UFC title challenger and is 3-0 inside the PFL Smartcage since leaving the UFC in 2023. In her semifinal fight, Santos beat Liz Carmouche by unanimous decision in August.
Ditcheva is one of the most exciting fighters to watch compete in the PFL. She has the height (5’8″ vs. 5’6″) and reach (70″ vs. 68″) advantage in this contest. The pride of Manchester, England, is on an incredible streak, and this would be the biggest win of her career. Ditcheva is a big -325 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, but the better value is getting her to win by KO/TKO/DQ at +100.
Oleg Popov Moneyline (-130)
The opening bout of this card is for the 2024 PFL World Championship. Although gold is on the line in this fight, it also has significant implications for the future. Oleg Popov is taking on Denis Goltsov in a fight between two Russians.
Popov is the slight betting favorite in this fight at -130, while Goltsov is +110. Goltsov is 35-8 in his professional career and is on a three-fight win streak with three knockouts. Popov is 19-0-1 and has won 17 straight fights while beating Linton Vassell in August.
The winner of this fight could be in the running to fight PFL Superfights Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou. Popov has more ways to win this fight as he can finish opponents on the feet or the ground. Getting Popov at -130 is a good value play.
Impa Kasanganay Moneyline (-175)
Impa Kasanganay won the 2023 PFL World Championship last year. But in February, Kasanganay lost to Bellator Middleweight champion Johnny Eblen by a split decision. Kasanganay moved to 185 pounds for that fight, giving Eblen the toughest test of his career.
Kasanganay has two knockouts in this year’s PFL season. He has won nine straight fights in the PFL season format. Kasanganay is facing Dovlet Yagshimuradov, and both fighters stand at 5’11”. Kasanganay has a three-inch reach edge (75″ vs. 72″). If Kasanganay keeps Yagshimuradov at range and gets off to an aggressive start, he will likely find success. Kasanganay is -175 to win this fight and is +250 to win by KO/TKO/DQ on DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is ryanwohl) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
