Dakota Ditcheva
BornDakota Lili-Joa Ditcheva
(1998-07-11) 11 July 1998
Sale, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Other namesDangerous
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
DivisionFlyweight
Reach70 in (178 cm)
StyleMuay Thai
Fighting out ofManchester, England
TeamManchester Top Team
Years active2012–present
Kickboxing record
Total11
Wins10
Losses1
Mixed martial arts record
Total10
Wins10
By knockout8
By submission1
By decision1
Losses0
Other information
Notable relativesLisa Howarth (mother)
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Great Britain
Women's Muay Thai
IFMA World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2016 Jonkoping Junior -57kg

Dakota Lili-Joa Ditcheva (born 11 July 1998) is an English mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai champion currently signed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where she competes in the Flyweight division.[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 a three-time world champion[6] and Daily Mirror and Sport England Pride of Sports Young Sportsperson of the Year.[7][8]

Early life

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 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]

In the finals, 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 cageside doctor determined Scatizzi's eye was too swollen to continue.[18]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

  • Violent Money TV
    • VMTV UK MMA Female Fighter of the Year 2022[19]
    • VMTV UK MMA Female Fighter of the Year 2023[20]

Muay Thai

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
10 matches 10 wins 0 losses
By knockout 8 0
By submission 1 0
By decision 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 10–0 Valentina Scatizzi TKO (doctor stoppage) PFL Europe 4 December 8, 2023 1 5:00 Dublin, Ireland Won the 2023 PFL Europe Women's Flyweight Tournament.
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 Tournament Semifinal.
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 Tournament Quarterfinal.
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.

[21]

Muay Thai record

Professional Muay Thai record
10 Wins , 1 Loss
Date Result OpponentEventLocation MethodRoundTime
2017-03-25LossScotland Amy PirnieYokkao 23 & 24Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, United KingdomDecision53:00
2017-02-12WinScotland Kat PatonTanko Muay Thai League 1Manchester, England, United KingdomTKO12:00
2016-06-25WinPortugal Katia PintoMachines on FireSt Helens, England, United KingdomDecision53:00
2016-05-14WinEngland Emma BraggThe Tanko Main EventBolton, England, United KingdomTKO2
Wins the ISKA Muay Thai British 51kg Championship.
2016-03-19WinSpain Maria BecerraYokkao 17 & 18Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, United KingdomTKO1
2015-11-21WinFrance Myriame DjedidiThe Road to the Main EventAshton-under-Lyne, England, United KingdomDecision52:00
2015-04-24WinThailand Hongfah Kor. JalanfakBangla StadiumPhuket, ThailandTKO (knee)1
2015-03-21WinUnited Kingdom Sophie LoweYokkao 12 & Yokkao 13England, United KingdomTKO (referee stoppage)
2014-11-22WinUnited Kingdom Jennifer GallagherThe Road to the Main EventAshton-under-Lyne, England, United KingdomDecision51:30
2014-11-01WinWales Cory McKenna2 Raw 2 ReadyManchester, England, United KingdomDecision52:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Dakota Ditcheva: #ThisIsMe". www.bbc.com. BBC. 29 March 2016. Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  2. ↑ "How To Harness The Winning Mindset Of An Athlete". Elle UK. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  3. ↑ "Dakota claims British title". Messenger Newspapers. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  4. ↑ "Trafford College student aims for glory". Messenger. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  5. ↑ "Teen Muai Thai sensation Dakota Ditcheva wins gold in the World Championships". Manchester Evening News. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  6. ↑ Myall, Steve (30 December 2015). "Is this the next Ronda Rousey?". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  7. ↑ "Pride of Sport Awards: the winners". www.sportengland.org. Sport England. 26 November 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  8. ↑ "Muaythai athlete named "Young Sportsperson of the Year"". www.ifmamuaythai.org. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  9. ↑ "Meet our Fighters: Dakota Ditcheva | PAWFC". pawfc.com. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  10. 1 2 Davies, Harry (26 October 2022). "PFL star Dakota Ditcheva inspired by surge of women's sport in UK". mirror. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  11. ↑ "Sale Muay Thai star becomes British champion in a night of Muay Thai drama". Messenger Newspapers. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  12. 1 2 Hart, Lewis (24 November 2022). "Dakota Ditcheva: A Star in the Making". Combat Sports UK. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Across The Pond Profile: PFL MMA fighter Dakota Ditcheva". mmauk.net. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  14. ↑ "US promotion PFL signs British prospect Ditcheva". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ "Ditcheva dominates on PFL Europe debut". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ "2023 PFL Europe 4 video: Bulging eye injury causes halt to Dakota Ditcheva vs. Valentina Scatizzi". MMA Junkie. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  19. ↑ Quilty, Cauley (6 January 2023). "2022 MMA Awards Show – Fans & Editors Edition". Violent Money TV.
  20. ↑ "VMTV 2023 UK MMA Awards Show". Violent Money TV. 9 January 2024.
  21. ↑ "Dakota Ditcheva". Sherdog. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.