When promotional darling Kayla Harrison jumped ship to the UFC last year, going on to win bantamweight gold in that organization, there was some question as to who would fill the sizable gap left behind, and emerge as the face of the PFL.
Enter Dakaota Ditcheva.
The women’s flyweight star has clearly arrived, winning both a PFL Europe and PFL Global title, and landing herself a co-headlining spot on this Saturday’s PFL Africa card. The event is the promotion’s debut in South Africa, taking place in Cape Town, and while headlined by Johnny Eblen defending his middleweight title (carried over from Bellator), there’s little question that Ditcheva is the promotion’s new face.
The British striker is an undefeated 14-0, and decimated former UFC title challenger Taila Santos to win the PFL women’s flyweight championship last year. This Saturday she returns against Bellator veteran Sumiko Inaba, in a non-title fight that is more about keeping the 26-year old active than anything.
As she explained during the PFL Africa media day on Wednesday, Dakota Ditcheva is well aware of the opportunities being afforded her.
“I feel really privileged for sure,” stated Ditcheva. “Not just South Africa alone but this sport has given me crazy opportunities. I’ve traveled to quite a few different countries with PFL and definitely a few states as well.”
“This is obviously another historic event for PFL but kind of a big milestone for me and my career as well, to be co-main event on such a big platform. So I count myself very lucky. Every fight I count myself lucky but this one is amazing to be a part of for sure. It feels a little bit different.”
Ditcheva has been a magnet for arm-chair matchmakers during her rise to the top. The 26-year old has looked better each time out, which has fans already booking future fights. Liz Carmouche, the former UFC title challenger and Bellator flyweight champion, is one name that comes up frequently. How does Ditcheva handle that pressure? By avoiding looking too far ahead.
“I just take things one at a time. I’ve done that my whole career. I never looked too far ahead,” explained Ditcheva. “People always say ‘what’s your goals in the next five years?’ Honestly, I haven’t got a clue. If you had asked me three years ago, ‘was this your goal right now?’ I would have said ‘no.’ So I just take every day as it is, I just count myself very lucky to be having the opportunities that I do.”
Watch the full PFL Africa media day appearance by Dakota Ditcheva above.
