The PFL has built Dakota Ditcheva into one of its brightest stars and despite a frustrating start to 2026, the promotion still sees her as a future face of the company.
Ditcheva (15-0) stormed into prominence by winning the 2023 PFL Europe tournament and then capturing the 2024 PFL World Tournament. She looked untouchable during that run. But injuries and booking issues have slowed her momentum. Most recently, a damaged hand forced her out of a scheduled bout with Denise Kielholtz on the PFL Dubai card.
PFL color commentator Dan Hardy admits the situation isn’t ideal, but he believes it’s temporary.
“It’s not ideal. A hand injury is never a good thing for a fighter,” Hardy told MMA Junkie. “The best thing she can do is to make sure she can take the time to get it fixed properly and she’s not rushing into starting hitting things again with it. Because that’s ultimately where these things prolong and re-injure and all those kind of things.”
The injuries have clearly taken a toll. During the PFL: Dubai broadcast, Ditcheva didn’t hide her emotions.
“I cried this week – I’ve been that upset, honestly. It’s been a little bit overwhelming for me,” Ditcheva said. “I think people see me doing things like that on YouTube, watching me go all around the world having amazing opportunities. But first and foremost, I am a fighter and I want to fight. Missing out on opportunities like this is hurtful for me sometimes and I was very heartbroken. But I’m still here, and like my mom says, there are people much worse off than me, so I’ve got to see the positives in that.”
That hunger to compete is exactly why the PFL continues to invest in her. PFL CEO John Martin recently provided an update on her recovery timeline.
“She’s healing well,” Martin told MMA Fighting. “I expect that she’ll be fighting this summer. I want to make sure it heals well but she’s healing well.”
When Ditcheva returns, Hardy believes the toughest and most logical test is former Bellator champion Liz Carmouche.
“That is the fight to make, isn’t it?” Hardy said. “That’s the fight both of those ladies want, as well. It’s the obvious victory for both of them in the division, the biggest win that they could get.”
At 125 pounds, Ditcheva currently thrives. However, Hardy suspects the weight cut could become an issue long term.
“I think flyweight right now is perfect for her, but I do think at some point, bantamweight is going to be the right move for her,” Hardy said. “I think physiologically, she’s very big for this weight class. As we know from guys like Tony Ferguson – if you try to stay in the weight class for too long, your body starts to suffer. If she is dealing with injuries, that might be something to consider in the future. Not just yet, but I would imagine in the next couple years she might have to consider moving up.”
Featherweight champion Cris Cyborg has openly called for a retirement fight against Ditcheva and even offered to cut down to 135 pounds to make it happen. The size difference complicates things, but the intrigue is undeniable.
“At 135, I think it would make sense,” Hardy said. “There would be no world where it would be fair for Dakota to have to move up two weight classes to fight Cyborg, but also it wouldn’t be healthy for Cyborg to move any further past 135. I think it makes sense. I think at some point that superfight will be on the table, I just don’t know whether Cyborg will still be around or under contract.
“Right now, if I’m Dakota I’m not thinking about going up a weight class to take on Cyborg then come back down, because I don’t think she would be able to come back down if she let herself grow back into that weight class.”
The PFL still views Dakota Ditcheva as a cornerstone of its women’s divisions. Her knockout win over Taila Santos elevated her stock even further, and her undefeated record keeps her squarely in the title conversation.
For now, the focus remains simple: heal, return this summer, and reclaim momentum. If Ditcheva does that, the PFL could have its next long-term superstar whether at flyweight, bantamweight, or in a superfight that reshapes the division.
