Kayla Harrison high on potential of PFL's Dakota Ditcheva: 'She is the future of MMA'

Kayla Harrison explains why she thinks PFL's Dakota Ditcheva is the future of women's MMA.

Kayla Harrison is confident Dakota Ditcheva is destined for great things in MMA.

The UFC women’s bantamweight contender is linking what she’s seeing from her American Top Team teammate Ditcheva in her former promotion – the PFL. Harrison (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), a former two-time PFL champion, sees a lot of potential in Ditcheva, who’s unbeaten in her MMA career and 7-0 since signing with PFL.

“She’s a killer,” Harrison told MMA Junkie and other reporters Thursday on the UFC Hall of Fame red carpet. “She’s the future of MMA. I think that she’s only getting better.

“She’s young. She’s hungry. She’s disciplined. She’s motivated. She’s got a good head on her shoulders. She’s got a great team around her, and I think the sky is the limit for her.”

As far as her own career, Harrison exclusively fought under the PFL until her most recent outing in April at UFC 300, where she debuted with a submission win over Holly Holm. Harrison is grateful for her run in PFL, but is happy to now be in the UFC.

“It’s a whole new beast, it’s a whole new animal, and honestly, I’m really grateful,” Harrison said. “I know in the past I’ve been impatient or maybe like not completely happy with where I’m at or what I’m doing, but that’s not the case anymore. I truly believe everything is happening at the right time and right place, and I’m excited to be part of this promotion.

“I feel like this is home to me, and this is where I will finish my career with a hell of a lot of gold.”