Ditcheva started her martial arts journey at a young age, moving from amateur kickboxing to becoming a talented professional fighter.
Dakota Ditcheva Named 2024 Female Fighter of the Year
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) entered 2024 with great momentum after acquiring Bellator in late 2023. The merger brought together two of the biggest MMA promotions, aiming to position the PFL as a leading force in the sport.
Despite some challenges, 2024 was a monumental year for the PFL. They had a successful season, integrating talented Bellator fighters into their competition format. Another major event was the promotional debut of MMA star Francis Ngannou.
The standout story of 2024 was Dakota Ditcheva’s incredible performance. With an undefeated record of 14-0, she captured the spotlight and was named ESM’s 2024 Female Fighter of the Year. Her dominance in the ring made her a key figure in the PFL’s remarkable year.
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Dakota Ditcheva Biography
Dakota Lili-Joa Ditcheva, born on July 25, 1998, is an English mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai fighter who competes in the women’s Flyweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall (1.73 m) and weighing 125 pounds (57 kg), she has achieved remarkable success in her career.
Dakota represented the British team at the 2016 International Federation of Muaythai Amateur World Championships in Jönköping, Sweden, where she won a gold medal. She is a three-time world champion in junior divisions and has been recognized as the Daily Mirror and Sport England Pride of Sports Young Sportsperson of the Year.
Background & Mixed Martial Arts Career
Dakota Ditcheva, born on July 25, 1998, in Sale, Greater Manchester, England, comes from a family of martial artists. Her mother, Lisa Howarth, is a world kickboxing champion, and her father is Bulgarian. Growing up in this environment, Dakota trained in kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She holds dual nationalities, English and Bulgarian, and proudly represents both. Dakota is also a Manchester City football fan and celebrates her wins by mimicking the team’s goal celebrations.
Before transitioning to MMA, Dakota competed in kickboxing and Muay Thai, winning multiple titles. In 2016, she represented Great Britain at the IFMA World Championships, earning a gold medal in the female junior 57 kg category.
Dakota began her MMA journey in 2021 with back-to-back first-round wins, defeating Jenny Line and Kerry Isom. Her performances continued to impress as she secured victories over Patricia Borges and Simone da Silva, the latter at a Canadian event. She later fought at UAE Warriors 28, winning a unanimous decision against Paula Cristina.
In 2022, Dakota signed with the PFL and won her debut fight with a first-round TKO against Hassana Gaber. She followed it up with another first-round knockout over Katherine Corogenes.
Dakota shone in the inaugural PFL Europe season. She submitted Malin Hermansson in the first round, defeated Cornelia Holm with a body punch KO, and won the Flyweight final against Valentina Scatizzi via TKO after a doctor stopped the fight.
Dakota continued her dominance in 2024 with wins over Lisa Mauldin, Chelsea Hackett, and Jena Bishop, all by TKO. In November, she became the youngest PFL champion and the first British female MMA world champion by defeating Taila Santos with a second-round TKO in the tournament final, earning a $1 million prize.
Dakota Ditcheva Parents & Net Worth
Dakota Ditcheva comes from a martial arts family. Her mother, Lisa Howarth, is a former World Kickboxing Association champion, which inspired Dakota’s career in combat sports. Her father is originally from Samokov, Bulgaria, giving her Bulgarian roots.
In 2024, Dakota’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. Her income comes from her MMA career in the PFL and endorsements with brands like Gym King and Love Hemp.
Quick Info About Dakota Ditcheva
| Full Name | Dakota Ditcheva |
| Other Name | Dakota |
| Profession(s) | Mixed Martial Artist & Professional Fighter |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Affairs/Boyfriends | N/A |
| Date of Birth | 25 July 1998 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 26 Years Old |
| Birthplace | England, United Kingdom |
| Father | Lisa Howarth |
| Mother | N/A |
| Nationality | British |
| School | Ashton-on-Mersey high school |
| Net Worth | $1 million – $5 million |
| Social Media | Instagram – YouTube – XTwitter – Facebook |
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Kartik Mishra has a knack for turning complex stories into easy-to-understand narratives. With more than 5 years in blog writing, he specializes in covering the lives of public figures and bringing their journeys to life through well-researched articles.