Dakota Ditcheva is undoubtedly one of the hottest prospects and best talents in the game today. There’s an argument that she’s the best fighter outside of the UFC today and there isn’t a fan out there who doesn’t want to see her mix it with the best in the world’s best promotion.
Despite her amazing talent, good self-promotion skills, and fan-friendly style, Dangerous has been left out of this year’s PFL tournament (despite being the reigning champion) and has been on the shelf since November, in what is a pivotal time in her career.
With that being said, the PFL announced her return for July, however, no date, location, or opponent were noted. On Friday’s PFL broadcast, Dakota Ditcheva stated: “Guys, I’m coming back. Don’t worry.”
‘Gutted’ – Dakota Ditcheva Wants to Fight
Speak to MMA Junkie last week, Ditcheva stated:
“I’d like to be in myself. I am happy to see the girls building the division and get that going. For me, I don’t really know what’s happening. The only thing I’ve heard is the winner of that tournament might fight me at the end of the year, which is fine, but it leaves me a very long time without a fight. I’m hoping me and PFL can work something out before then and get me back in the cage for the fans.”
The ATT fighter further went on to say:
“I’m gutted that I haven’t had anything just yet,” Ditcheva said. “I’m just like: Get me anything. Literally I get it’s hard for PFL. They’ve put all the girls in the tournament. Now they have to find someone that’s going to give me a good competition. They can’t give me someone that’s just kind of signed to the PFL and doesn’t have much experience. It doesn’t make much sense. I’ve just beat Santos. Very easily.”
She has a point. Ditcheva’s last fight saw her batter former UFC title challenger, Taila Santos in under two rounds, extending her finishing run to nine straight, something that isn’t often seen in the women’s divisions.
If you take a look at the women’s tournament, all the ‘big’ names are in there… apart from Dakota Ditcheva of course.
So… What’s Next?
We know that Dakota Ditcheva is going to return in July. The next question begs… against who? If the PFL don’t want to sign anyone, there are only really two options, but both, at this point in Ditcheva’s career are straightforward fights. Last year’s PFL Europe champion, Paulina Wisniewska, is undefeated at 5-0, won the PFL Europe tournament last year and is currently unbooked.
The next option is fellow English fighter, Shanelle Dyer. Dyer is 6-0 and last competed in September 2024. She had to withdraw from her PFL Europe final round fight with Wisniewska due to injury but was the favourite ahead of the bout. She’s exciting, can finish fights and with it being an all English affair, could get fans excited.
However, neither of these options matches Ditcheva’s current position.
So… Why Has She Been Left Out?
This is only a theory, however, it’s a theory that makes a lot of sense. The PFL want to keep Ditcheva for as long as possible, she’s one of their biggest stars. If she were to have entered the flyweight tournament this year and, at minimum, made the finals, she would have three fights. That’s three fights to tick off her current contract and she’d likely be done by November.
Let’s say she only has three fights left on her contract. She fights in July, then again at the end of the year, against this year’s champion. They could then offer her the opportunity to compete in the 2026 tournament, securing her for another three potential fights.
We know that she’ll be in the UFC sooner or later. She appeared on UFC TV recently for the first time, in the VIP section at UFC London. There’s fun potential match-ups for her in the UFC, too. The champion, Valentina Shevchenko, would provide Ditcheva with a tough test, would test her ground game, but in the stand-up battle, it would be close.
Future title contender, Manon Fiorot would be competitive, as would a fight with Alexa Grasso. It’s just a matter of time before the UFC sign Dakota Ditcheva… and we can’t wait.
