Elora Dana gets wobbled, fights back to score submission and semifinal spot

Having debuted professionally just a few years ago, Elora Dana has proven to be quite impressive early on in her career. Dana has put her Brazilian jiu-jitsu on display to her advantage, scoring four submissions and amassing a 7-0 record entering tonight. A former regional women’s flyweight champion, Dana last fought in May, scoring a knockout over Brena Cardozo.

Diana Avsaragova has an impressive background of her own, however, having grown up in North Ossetia-Alania, Russia – home to some of the best freestyle wrestlers in the world. Avsaragova, in fact, competed in the freestyle wrestling championship prior to starting her time in professional MMA. The Akhmat Fight Club product won her first six fights before suffering her first career defeat to Justine Kish back at Bellator 298.

Which of these two will be the first to move on to the women’s flyweight semifinals?

Round 1

The two go to the center. Front kick from Dana. Avsaragova moving side-to-side, trying to lure in Dana. Dana throwing low kicks, a heavy one landing. Low kick from Avsaragova. Dana misses a jump kick. The two stay virtually around the center of the cage. Left hook Avsaragova. Right hand from Dana. Left hook again from Avsaragova. Clash of right hands. Low kick from Avsaragova. Jab by Avsaragova as she circles around. Round kick from Dana to Avsaragova’s side. Dana tries to cut off the cage, landing another round kick. Counter right hand from Avsaragova drops Dana temporarily! Avsaragova seems to be busted up from a right hand by Dana, however.

Another strong right hand from Dana. Dana is trying to pressure Avsaragova here. Combination from Dana. Avsaragova misses a left. She lands another one though. Body lock and Dana brings Avsaragova over to the fence. She gets Avsaragova to her knees and gets to her back, threatening a rear-naked choke on Avsaragova. Dana trying to get a hook in. Dana lands the right hand before scoring the takedown, going into half-guard. Dana tries to posture up. Dana keeps an arm pinned and she looks to be going for a guillotine choke. Correction: it’s a neck crank. And she gets it with 12 seconds left in the first round! Wow!

Round 1 submission via neck crank 😤🔒

Elora Dana keeps her perfect record alive in a back-and-forth scrap with a nasty finish to seal it!#PFLWorldTournament LIVE NOW
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 12, 2025

Might have been a bit of a surprise submission, but Elora Dana gets the job done nevertheless!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Elora Dana def. Diana Avsaragova via first-round submission (neck crank, 4:48)