Dakota Ditcheva Ready To Show She’s As Dangerous As Ever At PFL New York (Exclusive)

Whether it was CM Punk’s unexpectedly torn triceps at the 2024 Royal Rumble or a major career-ending neck injury for Sterling Sharpe during his 1994 NFL season, there’s perhaps nothing more rattling than a serious injury during a major trajectory in your career. Those who are lucky enough to return can be nagged with that constant thought, the repetitive doubt: Can I still do it?

Dakota Ditcheva, preparing for her return match for the first time in over a year after breaking her hand in her match against Sumiko Inaba in July 2025, knows that feeling all too well. Ahead of tomorrow’s PFL New York, Dakota Ditcheva speaks with TheSportster about her return, the fight against Denise Kielholtz, and whether she’s ready to show how dangerous she still is.

Dakota Ditcheva Is Ready For Denise Kielholtz At PFL New York

After her unanimous decision win over Sumiko Inaba in July, Dakota Ditcheva realized something had happened. In an instant, her career was put on hold due to a fractured left hand, and for a year, she waited from the sidelines, recuperating and patiently waiting for her chance to face off against Denise Kielholtz.

Kielholtz, a flyweight powerhouse from the Netherlands, comes into their fight with a 9-5 record. Ditcheva tells me she’s excited about getting into the ring with her, although it’s a bit strange to be getting into the ring with someone she’s looked up to.

“I’ve always kind of commented on her stuff on social media and said how amazing she is and stuff, which is weird now that I’m fighting her and a bit of a shame. But at the same time, I’m the type of girl that when I get in the cage, I forget about all that.”

Ditcheva says she has no fear when it comes to stepping back into the ring after her broken hand. With a flawless 15-0 record, she says she’s got no evidence to say that she’s not going to be the same pereson in the ring, and she’s not focused on that at all.

“What you think about is what you get. If I think about my hand being injured, I’m gonna probably injure it again. So for me, it’s kind of just forgetting that. I’m healed now. The doctor has said to me everything looks really good. I’m hitting just as hard. So for me, the evidence in my mind now is that I’m back to how I used to be. And I’m going to go out there and show everybody that I’m back, and that’s kind of my mindset.”

Dakota Ditcheva Learned From The Best – Her Mom

Dakota Ditcheva has an impressive record of 15-0, and is currently ranked number one in the PFL women’s flyweight division, an impressive feat for the fighter who began her career just over five years ago. While she might be a relatively newcomer on the scene, Ditcheva’s been surroundef by the fighting world since she was a kid thanks to her mother, Lisa Howarth.

Howarth, a former WPKL Women’s Super Flyweight World Champion and WKA Super Flyweight World Champion, exposed her from a young age to the sport. Ditcheva says one of the most special parts of her career is the time she gets to train with her mom and learn from her.

“Not a lot of people can say that their mum was their coach for their whole career and has taught me everything I know. That’s a big privilege for me. I always make sure that kind of everybody still knows that, even though now I’m with a different team, she’s still very much involved in everything. It’s been really special. It’s just been nice, especially as a female. There’s not a lot of females in the sport who you can go to for advice and, you know, have had the experience that my mum’s had. So having somebody like her, having gone through everything that I’m currently facing, has saved me a lot of bad decisions, bad experiences, and just made the journey a whole lot easier, honestly. Without my mom, I don’t know whether I would have been on the same path or had the same journey.”

She’s used her mom’s lessons, good and bad, to help set herself up for success in a post-fighting life. Ditcheva has diversified her interest in multiple avenues, including her water brand, VANN, and as co-president of Octa FC.

She credits her mom for drilling that approach into her mind from an early age: set your future up now, because your fighting days could end at any time. It’s not just about diversification, Ditcheva says, it’s about legacy.

“I don’t want to just be known for Dakota being a fighter. I want to be able to keep my identity in other places and hopefully make that a future for myself as well.”

Dakota Ditcheva Tunes Out The Rankings, Doubles Down On Her Approach

One of the most dangerous competitors in the ring, the moniker “Dangerous” isn’t said just for fun. With an undefeated record, she steps back into the ring at PFL New York on July 31st against Denise Kielholtz for their heavily anticipated match.

Ditcheva was recently named by ESPN as one of the standout talents in MMA, leading the future of the sport. Ditcheva says she’s honored to be carrying that designation and acknowledgment, but she says she doesn’t lean too much into it. Whether it’s a small compliment or from a major place like ESPN, her focus is fighting, and she has to stay in that mindset.

“It’s so nice to hear, but at the same time, my confidence is from in the gym rather than all the outside noise.”

Ditcheva is excited to get back into the ring and show that’s she still got it, and that fans who may be tuning into PFL for the first time, this is the card to watch. Ditcheva says New York is the right venue to do it, as the city holds a special place in her career, and after waiting patiently for a year from the sidelines, she’s as Dangerous as she’s ever been.

“Last time I fought in New York, my US debut was in New York, so it’s nice to be out for a long time and then come back. And I mean, I’m definitely going to be coming back to make a statement.”

PFL New York takes place from the UBS Arena, on Friday, July 31st, and be viewed live on ESPN at 7pm ET/4pm PT. Check your local listings for start times in your area.