After a breakout year in 2024, Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) is set to return to action on July 19 at PFL Champions Series: Cape Town, where she faces Sumiko Inaba (8-1) in the co-main event of the inaugural PFL Africa event.
Ditcheva, 26, remained undefeated last year after dismantling Taila Santos in the finals of the PFL flyweight tournament. Following that dominant performance, anticipation grew around her next challenge. But months passed without an announcement, leading to speculation about her future.
In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Ditcheva addressed the frustration that came with her extended inactivity.
“It’s been tough and that’s literally how I felt, that all my hard work, I was just watching it decline a little bit,” Ditcheva said. “But at the same time, anytime I post anything or PFL posts anything, every comment under the post is, ‘Where’s Dakota?’ So I feel like everyone’s still backing me and they’ve definitely not forgot about me yet.”
The British standout had hoped to build on her 2024 momentum but acknowledged the value in patience.
“I would have preferred to have kept fighting and everyone keep watching me, if I’m going to be honest,” Ditcheva said. “But I’m one of those people that just rolls with the journey. I’ve put a few comments out there just saying trust the timing of what’s happening. It’s really disappointing that I haven’t fought all year, but it’s meant to be, clearly.”
Ditcheva’s return bout against Inaba came as a surprise to some, especially as top flyweight contenders like former UFC title challenger Liz Carmouche were booked into the 2025 World Tournament.
“It’s hard because they put people like Liz [Carmouche] in the tournament… I feel like they were the top girls,” Ditcheva said. “But, Sumiko is 9-1, you can’t really turn your nose up at fighters like that. She’s proven herself. I wasn’t really sure where I was going with it, but when they said her name, that’s a great matchup for me. So I’m happy that they’ve got someone.”
PFL Champions Series: Cape Town takes place Saturday, July 19, streaming live on ESPN+ in the U.S. at 2 p.m. ET.
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