Dakota Ditcheva Returns to the Octagon in Dubai
PFL star Dakota Ditcheva will make her long-awaited return to the octagon on February 7 in Dubai, facing Denise Kielholtz in a flyweight bout that will not be for the title. This event, called PFL: Road to Dubai, marks the start of the promotion’s schedule for 2026.
The official announcement was made on Monday, generating great anticipation among mixed martial arts fans. The main event of the night will be a lightweight title fight between Usman Nurmagomedov and Alfie Davis.
Ditcheva, with an undefeated record of 15-0, will seek to get back on the winning track after an injury. Her last fight was in July, where she achieved a decision victory over Sumiko Inaba, but suffered a hand fracture during the fight. This was the first time in her career that Ditcheva had to go the distance in a fight.
After her victory in July, Ditcheva signed a new multi-fight contract with the PFL.
In 2024, Ditcheva was crowned champion of the PFL world tournament, surpassing veterans like Taila Santos and Jena Bishop.
Her opponent, Kielholtz, a former professional kickboxing champion and former Bellator MMA champion, will seek to impose her experience. Kielholtz competed for the Bellator title against Juliana Velasquez in 2021, losing by split decision.
