Women’s flyweight tournament champ Dakota Ditcheva will not take part in the first PFL card of 2026 as planned.
Ditcheva, who won her 125lb title as part of the 2024 PFL Global season (predating their World Tournament format), has fought just once since that victory, and remains a perfect 15-0 in her professional fighting career.
The English striker was set to return at PFL Dubai against Bellator alum Denise Kielholtz in February. However, promotion officials announced on Tuesday that Ditheva will not be competing due to injury.
No replacement was announced for Kielholtz, and it’s unclear whether she’ll remain on the card.
The nature of Ditcheva’s injury was not disclosed.
“Dangerous” Dakota Ditcheva defeated former UFC title challenger Taila Santos to win gold in the 2024 PFL Global season, and also holds wins over Bellator vet Sumiko Inaba and BJJ world champ Jena Bishop. With Kayla Harrison having jumped to the UFC, Ditcheva quickly filled the void as the female face of the promotion.
Kielholz (8-5) has not set foot in the cage since 2023, when she defeated Sumiko Inaba. The Dutch fighter known as “Miss Dynamite” is the inaugural and only Bellator women’s flyweight kickboxing world champion.
PFL: Road to Dubai takes place at the Coca-Cola Arena on February 7, 2026. Usman Nurmagomedov versus Alfie Davis for the lightweight championship headlines.
