PFL 9: Dakota Ditcheva makes her promotional debut against Hassna Gabar

Manchester’s Dakota Ditcheva (5-0) takes the next step in her career as she debuts in the PFL this Saturday after signing a two-year deal with the organisation.

The 24-year-old transitioned into Mixed Martial Arts after a decorated Muay Thai career which saw her win three world titles as a teenager, and she was even named Young Sportsperson of the year by the Daily Mirror and Sport England in the Pride of Sports awards in 2015. She was seen as somewhat of a sensation with an article released suggesting she could be the “next Ronda Rousey”, as well as BBC Sport short focused on her titled #ThisIsMe. Her mother, Lisa Howarth, was a kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion in her own right. Now one year into her pro career with four of her five fights ending via a finish, Ditcheva is making the step up to one of the world’s largest organisations.

Ditcheva fights this Saturday at PFL’s debut event in London against Moroccan Hassna Gaber (4-1) in the flyweight division. Both of their most recent fights were with UAE Warriors, so they are both keen to make a statement in their PFL debut, staking a claim to a spot in the 2023 season, especially Ditcheva, as the organisation’s first ever 125lb signing.

Building up to this fight, Ditcheva spent a lot of time in the US, spending time in California and Las Vegas before settling for her camp in Florida with American Top Team respectively. This gave her the opportunity to work with fighters such as Merab Dvalishvili, Jessica-Rose Clark, Ariane Lipski, as well as the PFL’s biggest star, Kayla Harrison.

Harrison also fights this Saturday, and Ditcheva is excited to share the card with the multi-time PFL champion, as well as her fellow Mancunian Brendan Loughnane calling it “a dream come true” when speaking to BBC Sport.

On Ditcheva’s signing, PFL president Ray Sefo said to BBC Sport “Dakota’s outstanding skillset and ability, along with her natural charisma, fit perfectly with the PFL brand of MMA”. PFL will be hoping that a successful 2023 season for Ditcheva could bolster this star-potential and make her a UK star on par with the aforementioned Loughnane.

“Coming from a line of elite Muay Thai practitioners, we have confidence in Dakota to go to the very top with the PFL and continue her family’s legacy.”

Earlier this week, the PFL bolstered their roster for the 2023 season with the signing of UFC’s 14-ranked Featherweight Shane Burgos. You can watch this weekend’s card featuring Dakota Ditcheva vs Hassna Gaber on ESPN and ESPN+ in the US, and the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel in the UK.