Ditcheva outclasses Kielholtz on return from injuryImage source, PFLImage caption, Dakota Ditcheva has won all 16 of her professional MMA fightsByPaul BattisonBBC Sport JournalistPublished5 minutes agoDakota Ditcheva outclassed Denise Kielholtz as the Briton marked her return from injury with a comfortable win by unanimous decision at PFL New York.Ditcheva, who had not fought since breaking her left hand just over a year ago, extended the unbeaten start to her career to 16 fights.The win for Ditcheva, who triumphed in the PFL flyweight tournament in 2024, was a timely reminder to fans of why she is one of Britain’s most talented and exciting fighters.
Although Ditcheva could not add to her 12 career knockouts – nine of which have come in the first round – she outstruck Dutch fighter Kielholtz 102-64.
Ditcheva’s win cements her status as one of the biggest stars in the PFL just days after the organisation’s merge with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), while MVP co-founder Jake Paul was cage-side to watch the fights at the UBS Arena.
Ditcheva, 28, has had a frustrating year after her return was delayed in February when she suffered an injury to her opposite hand.
But she displayed her trademark confidence during her walkout as she sported a relaxed smile, before quickly finding her groove after the opening bell.
Using her superior height to her advantage, Ditcheva kept the 37-year-old Kielholtz at bay for the majority of the contest with a number of rangy kicks.
