Dakota Ditcheva
Dakota Lili-Joa Ditcheva (born 11 July 1998) is a British Muay Thai champion.[1][2][3][4] She was part of the British team that won International Federation of Muaythai Amateur World Championships in Jönköping, Sweden.[5] She is three-time world champion[6] and Daily Mirror and Sport England Pride of Sports Young Sportsperson of the Year.[7][8]
| Dakota Ditcheva | |
|---|---|
| Born | Dakota Lili-Joa Ditcheva 11 July 1998 Sale, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom |
| Other names | Dangerous |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb) |
| Division | Flyweight |
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm) |
| Style | Muay Thai |
| Fighting out of | Manchester, England |
| Team | Manchester Top Team |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 11 |
| Wins | 10 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 9 |
| Wins | 9 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Other information | |
| Notable relatives | Lisa Howarth (mother) |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Early life
Born on June 13, 1999, in Manchester, England, Dakota Ditcheva grew up in a family of martial artists. Her mother, Lisa Howarth, a multiple-time world kickboxing champion, had a profound influence on 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.[9][10][11]
Before transitioning to professional mixed martial arts (MMA), Dakota built an impressive amateur career. She amassed a stellar record as a kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter, winning numerous championships in both disciplines. Her dedication and determination led her to represent Great Britain at the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) World Championships, where she earned a silver medal.[10]
Mixed martial arts career
In April 2021, Dakota swiftly 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.[12]
As Dakota proved her worth, she faced more challenging opponents. At UKFC 17, she overcame a 4-5 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 an 8-3 Simone da Silva, finishing the fight in the second round with powerful ground strikes.[12]
Dakota then headed to UAE Warriors 28, where her undefeated 4-0 record was put to the test. Facing another rising star, the 5-0 Paula Cristina, she remained composed and secured a unanimous decision victory.[13]
Professional Fighters League
In July 2022, it was announced that Ditcheva had signed with PFL.[14]
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.[13]
Ditcheva faced Malin Hermansson in the inaugural PFL Europe season on March 25, 2023 at PFL Europe 1.[15] She won the bout in the first round, submitting Hermansson via rear-naked choke.[16]
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.[17]
Mixed martial arts record
| 9 matches | 9 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 9–0 | Cornelia Holm | KO (punch to the body) | PFL Europe 3 | September 30, 2023 | 3 | 2:55 | Paris, France | 2023 PFL Europe Women's Flyweight Semifinals. |
| Win | 8–0 | Malin Hermansson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PFL Europe 1 | March 25, 2023 | 1 | 3:52 | Newcastle, England | 2023 PFL Europe Women's Flyweight Quarterfinals. |
| Win | 7–0 | Katherine Corogenes | KO (punch) | PFL 10 | November 25, 2022 | 1 | 4:20 | New York City, New York, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Hassna Gaber | TKO (submission to knee to the body) | PFL 9 | August 20, 2022 | 1 | 0:58 | London, England | |
| Win | 5–0 | Paula Cristina | Decision (unanimous) | UAE Warriors 28 | March 26, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Flyweight debut. |
| Win | 4–0 | Simone da Silva | TKO (punches) | PAWFC 1 | January 15, 2022 | 2 | 3:43 | Calgary, Canada | |
| Win | 3–0 | Patricia Borges | TKO (elbows) | UK Fighting Championships 17 | November 27, 2021 | 1 | 3:58 | Preston, England | Catchweight (130 lb) bout. |
| Win | 2–0 | Kerry Isom | TKO (punches) | Celtic Gladiator 30 | September 12, 2021 | 1 | 4:49 | Blackburn, England | Catchweight (132 lb) bout. |
| Win | 1–0 | Jenny Line | TKO (elbows and knees) | Caged Steel 25 | April 10, 2021 | 1 | 2:04 | Sheffield, England | Bantamweight debut. |
References
- "Dakota Ditcheva: #ThisIsMe". www.bbc.com. BBC. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- "How To Harness The Winning Mindset Of An Athlete". Elle UK. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
- "Dakota claims British title". Messenger Newspapers. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- "Trafford College student aims for glory". Messenger. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
- "Teen Muai Thai sensation Dakota Ditcheva wins gold in the World Championships". Manchester Evening News. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- Myall, Steve (30 December 2015). "Is this the next Ronda Rousey?". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- "Pride of Sport Awards: the winners". www.sportengland.org. Sport England. 26 November 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- "Muaythai athlete named "Young Sportsperson of the Year"". www.ifmamuaythai.org. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
- "Meet our Fighters: Dakota Ditcheva | PAWFC". pawfc.com. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- Davies, Harry (26 October 2022). "PFL star Dakota Ditcheva inspired by surge of women's sport in UK". mirror. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "Sale Muay Thai star becomes British champion in a night of Muay Thai drama". Messenger Newspapers. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- Hart, Lewis (24 November 2022). "Dakota Ditcheva: A Star in the Making". Combat Sports UK. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "Across The Pond Profile: PFL MMA fighter Dakota Ditcheva | MMA UK". mmauk.net. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "US promotion PFL signs British prospect Ditcheva". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- Daly, Rhys (7 March 2023). "Dakota Ditcheva gets new PFL Europe opponent in quest for £80,000 payday". Dailystar.co.uk. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "Ditcheva dominates on PFL Europe debut". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
- Anderson, Jay (30 September 2023). "Dakota Ditcheva Punches Her Way Into Flyweight Final, Stops Cornelia Holm at PFL Paris". Cageside Press. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- "Dakota Ditcheva". Sherdog. Retrieved 15 August 2022.