Dakota Lili-Joa Ditcheva (born 11 July 1998) is a British Muay Thai champion. She was part of the British team that won International Federation of Muaythai Amateur World Championships in Jönköping, Sweden. She is three-time world champion and Daily Mirror and Sport England Pride of Sports Young Sportsperson of the Year.
Early life
Born on June 13, 1999, in Manchester, England, Dakota Ditcheva grew up in a family of martial artists. Her mother, Lisa Howarth, a multiple-time world kickboxing champion, had a profound influence on Dakota's interest in combat sports. Immersed in this environment from a young age, Dakota began her training in various martial arts disciplines, including kickboxing, Muay Thai, and later, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Before transitioning to professional mixed martial arts (MMA), Dakota built an impressive amateur career. She amassed a stellar record as a kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter, winning numerous championships in both disciplines. Her dedication and determination led her to represent Great Britain at the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) World Championships, where she earned a silver medal.
Mixed martial arts career
In April 2021, Dakota swiftly secured a first-round stoppage victory over fellow debutant Jenny Line at Cage Steel 25. Her second fight at Celtic Gladiator 30, five months later, saw a similar outcome, as she defeated Kerry Isom with a first-round TKO.
As Dakota proved her worth, she faced more challenging opponents. At UKFC 17, she overcame a 4-5 Patricia Borges, once again securing victory in the first round. Her performance caught the attention of international promotions, leading her to fight at PAWFC 1 in Canada. There, she co-headlined the event against an 8-3 Simone da Silva, finishing the fight in the second round with powerful ground strikes.
Dakota then headed to UAE Warriors 28, where her undefeated 4-0 record was put to the test. Facing another rising star, the 5-0 Paula Cristina, she remained composed and secured a unanimous decision victory.
Professional Fighters League
In July 2022, it was announced that Ditcheva had signed with PFL.
During her PFL MMA debut at PFL 9 in London, Ditcheva overcame Hassana Gaber with a first-round TKO. At the PFL 10 preliminary card, she achieved a first-round knockout against Katherine Corogenes, marking her sixth knockout win in her professional career.
Ditcheva faced Malin Hermansson in the inaugural PFL Europe season on March 25, 2023 at PFL Europe 1. She won the bout in the first round, submitting Hermansson via rear-naked choke.
Ditcheva faced Cornelia Holm in the semifinals at PFL Europe 3 on September 30, 2023, defeating Holm via body punch KO in the third round.
Mixed martial arts record
|-
|Win
|align=center|9–0
|Cornelia Holm
|KO (punch to the body) |PFL Europe 3 | |align=center|3 |align=center|2:55 |Paris, France | |- |Win |align=center|8–0 |Malin Hermansson |Submission (rear-naked choke) |PFL Europe 1 | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:52 |Newcastle, England | |- |Win |align=center| 7–0 |Katherine Corogenes |KO (punch) |PFL 10 | |align=center|1 |align=center|4:20 |New York City, New York, United States | |- |Win |align=center| 6–0 |Hassna Gaber |TKO (submission to knee to the body) |PFL 9 | |align=center| 1 |align=center|0:58 |London, England | |- |Win |align=center|5–0 |Paula Cristina |Decision (unanimous) |UAE Warriors 28 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |- |Win |align=center|4–0 |Simone da Silva |TKO (punches) |PAWFC 1 | |align=center|2 |align=center|3:43 |Calgary, Canada | |- |Win |align=center|3–0 |Patricia Borges |TKO (elbows) |UK Fighting Championships 17 | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:58 |Preston, England | |- |Win |align=center|2–0 |Kerry Isom |TKO (punches) |Celtic Gladiator 30 | |align=center|1 |align=center|4:49 |Blackburn, England | |- |Win |align=center|1–0 |Jenny Line |TKO (elbows and knees) |Caged Steel 25 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:04 |Sheffield, England |