Dakota Ditcheva Ready to Defend PFL Crown Against Inaba in South Africa

Dakota Ditcheva is set to return to the cage after months of frustration as she faces Sumiko Inaba at the PFL Champions Series in Cape Town on Saturday, 19 July.

The 26-year-old from Manchester made history in 2024 as the first British woman to win an MMA world title, defeating Taila Santos in the flyweight final. However, her dominance left her short of worthy challengers in the PFL.

A Champion Without Challengers

Ditcheva’s stunning rise saw her finish all four opponents last year, including three first-round stoppages and a second-round knockout in the final.

“Santos was the top girl in the division and I walked through her so easily. It’s made this year difficult,” Ditcheva told BBC Sport.

Under contract with the PFL, Ditcheva couldn’t seek new challenges elsewhere and turned down a spot in this year’s flyweight tournament, having already beaten several of its participants.

Facing Inaba in Historic African Event

The PFL has now matched Ditcheva with Hawaii’s Sumiko Inaba (8-1), a tough opponent making her first appearance since September 2024.

“She’s been around longer than I have. I don’t know whether she is the fight I would have chosen, but I’m happy they were able to give me a fight,” Ditcheva said.

The bout takes place in Cape Town’s Grand Arena, marking the PFL’s first major event in Africa.

Co-Main Event Spotlight

Ditcheva’s fight is the co-main event, with Johnny Eblen facing Spain’s Costello van Steenis in the headliner for the new PFL middleweight belt.

Eblen, the reigning Bellator middleweight champion before the PFL-Bellator merger in 2023, will defend his crown in the newly branded division.

A Knockout Star Returns

With 12 knockouts in 14 fights, Ditcheva has built a reputation as one of Britain’s most exciting MMA fighters.

“I fought four times last year which gave people a lot, but now they’re all waiting for me to fight again,” she added.

Will Ditcheva extend her unbeaten streak, or can Inaba pull off a shock in South Africa?