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PFL 2023 Spotlight | Dakota Ditcheva

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Arriving in the PFL as one of the biggest signings of the year for the promotion, Dakota Ditcheva has delivered on the hype. With back-to-back first-round finishes inside the PFL smart cage, Ditcheva is no longer one of the best kept secrets in UK MMA. 

The three-time Muay Thai world champion has achieved a lot at the age of 23. With her mother being a former world champion and her head striking coach, Dakota has been training since the age of four so despite her age, she has a ton of experience in competition. 

Credit: Pride of Sport Awards

At 17, she won the young sportsperson of the year in the Pride Of Sport awards after winning British and European Junior titles as well as three gold medals in the world championships. Fast forward to 2022 and Ditcheva is one of the top prospects competing in the PFL. You only have to look through the replies on her Instagram posts following her wins to see how many high-level competitors are expecting huge things from her MMA career.

Dakota made her PFL debut during the promotion’s first trip to London. The Manchester Top Team fighter made short work of her opponent Hassna Gaber and closed the show inside a minute after landing a knee to the body. In front of her home fans, Ditcheva displayed her devastating striking and finishing ability that makes her a must-watch fighter. 

After getting the win on her debut inside a minute, Dakota managed to get a second fight in and once again capitalised on the huge showcase opportunity to solidify her status as one of the most exciting prospects in the PFL. In Madison Square Garden, she produced her second first-round finish with a well-placed right hand, followed up with some hammerfists. 

Dakota Ditcheva is going to be a huge part of the PFL going forward, especially for the UK fans. Whilst it depends on which weight divisions will hold tournaments in the 2023 season, it would seem that Ditcheva has done more than enough to solidify her place in the season format.

With her hopes of following in the footsteps of Kayla Harrison, who became the face of the PFL by winning consecutive world championships, 2023 is lining up to become the biggest year in Dakota’s career.