Dakota Ditcheva

Dakota Lili-Joa Ditcheva (born 11 July 1998) is an English mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai competitor currently signed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where she competes in the Flyweight division.

Born on 11 July 1998, in Sale, Greater Manchester, England, Dakota Ditcheva grew up in a family of martial artists.

Her mother, Lisa Howarth, a multiple-time world kickboxing champion, had a influenced Dakota's interest in combat sports.

Immersed in this environment from a young age, Dakota began her training in various martial arts disciplines, including kickboxing, Muay Thai, and later, Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Before transitioning to professional mixed martial arts (MMA), Dakota competed in kickboxing and Muay Thai, winning championships in both disciplines.

She was part of the British team at the 2016 International Federation of Muaythai Amateur World Championships in Jönköping, Sweden, winning gold.

She is an overall three-time world champion in the junior divisions and Daily Mirror and Sport England Pride of Sports Young Sportsperson of the Year.

In May 2016, she represented Great Britain at the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) World Championships, where she earned a gold medal in the female junior 57 kg division.

In April 2021, Dakota secured a first-round stoppage victory over fellow debutant Jenny Line at Cage Steel 25.

Her second fight at Celtic Gladiator 30, five months later, saw a similar outcome, as she defeated Kerry Isom with a first-round TKO.

As Dakota proved her worth, she faced more challenging opponents.

At UKFC 17, she faced Patricia Borges, once again securing victory in the first round.

Her performance caught the attention of international promotions, leading her to fight at PAWFC 1 in Canada.

There, she co-headlined the event against Simone da Silva, finishing the fight in the second round with ground strikes.

Dakota then headed to UAE Warriors 28.

Facing another rising star, Paula Cristina, she secured a unanimous decision victory.

In July 2022, it was announced that Ditcheva had signed with PFL.

During her PFL MMA debut at PFL 9 in London, Ditcheva overcame Hassana Gaber with a first-round TKO.

At the PFL 10 preliminary card, she achieved a first-round knockout against Katherine Corogenes, marking her sixth knockout win in her professional career.

Ditcheva faced Malin Hermansson in the inaugural PFL Europe season on March 25, 2023 at PFL Europe 1.

She won the bout in the first round, submitting Hermansson via rear-naked choke.

Ditcheva faced Cornelia Holm in the semifinals at PFL Europe 3 on September 30, 2023, defeating Holm via body punch KO in the third round.

In the PFL Europe Women's Flyweight final, Ditcheva faced Valentina Scatizzi at PFL Europe 4 on December 8, 2023.

She won the fight via TKO between the first and second rounds after the cage-side doctor determined Scatizzi's eye was too swollen to continue.

! style=background:white colspan=8 |Wins the ISKA Muay Thai British 51kg Championship.